VET Knowledge Bank - Policy initiatives - Program delivery - Secondary students | VOCEDplus, the international tertiary education and research database

Policy initiatives > Program delivery > Secondary students

Vocational education and training (VET) delivered to secondary students is regulated by the VET sector and is identical to VET offered in any other context. VET enables students to acquire workplace skills through nationally recognised training described within an industry-developed training package or an accredited course. While all governments have a shared role in national policy leadership for VET, the state and territory governments and schools have responsibility for determining arrangements for delivery within their jurisdictions.

National

Preparing secondary students for work: a framework for vocational learning and VET delivered to secondary students sets out a vision in which 'All secondary students experience quality vocational learning and have access to quality VET courses; both vocational learning and VET courses are seamlessly integrated into secondary schooling and valued by parents, students, teachers and employers'. The framework was developed collaboratively with schools, industry and the training sector and endorsed by all Education Ministers in December 2014. One of the purposes of the framework is to provide clarity in terminology, making the distinction that vocational learning includes career education and work exploration, and work-related curriculum; and VET includes training packages and accredited courses, and school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Vision for vocational education and training (VET) released in 2019 includes 'Australia's VET system is one that...provides VET qualifications to school students that are valued by employers and provides a clear pathway from school to careers that require VET qualifications'.

Under the Heads of Agreement for Skills Reform (signed in July 2020), the Australian, state and territory governments have committed to strengthening VET pathways for secondary students. The Review of Senior Secondary Pathways into work, further education and training and the report of the vocational education and training review Strengthening skills: expert review of Australia's vocational education and training system raised concerns that included: inconsistent quality of delivery of courses and outcomes; industry concerns with the value of the qualifications delivered to the students; and the limitations of current data collections. A working group of education and skills government officials are exploring reform options, and considering the development of a National VET in Schools Strategy in line with recommendation 10 of the Review of Senior Secondary Pathways.

Australian School-based Apprenticeships (ASbAs or ASBAs), alternatively known as School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SbATs or SBATs), are an Australian Apprenticeship undertaken part-time while the apprentice is still at school. It comprises a mix of academic, vocational and technical education and training and paid employment which enables year 11 and 12 students to get a senior secondary certificate and credits towards a vocational qualification. They were previously called School Based New Apprenticeship (SBNA), until the introduction of Australian Apprenticeships in 2006.

Publications in VOCEDplus

► Other resources

New South Wales

New South Wales (NSW) students in years 9 to 12 may study VET courses, either at school, through TAFE NSW or other training providers. VET courses may be delivered by a school based registered training organisation (RTO) or another RTO approved to deliver VET courses under the externally delivered vocational education and training (EVET) program. The EVET program was introduced to broaden the range of VET courses available to students in government schools. The NSW Government has approved a panel of quality RTOs through a public tender process and EVET courses are developed or endorsed by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). The training is dual accredited; therefore the students receive recognition towards their Record of School Achievement or Higher School Certificate (HSC) and a Certificate or Statement of Attainment.

Students in years 9 and 10 may access VET courses through two curriculum pathways: Stage 5 VET Board Endorsed courses or early commencement of Stage 6 VET courses. Responsibility for the curriculum and the development and conduct of examinations leading to the award of HSC are delegated to NESA by the Education Act 1990 NSW. For VET Stage 6, NESA package and endorse courses based on qualifications from national training packages or accredited courses. Courses within Industry Curriculum Frameworks count as Board Developed unit credit for the HSC. Frameworks include an HSC examination that provides the opportunity for students to have this HSC examination mark contribute to the calculation of their ATAR. Stage 6 VET Board Endorsed courses (VET BECs) count as Board Endorsed unit credit for the HSC but do not contribute towards an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).

NESA has responsibility for developing/endorsing curriculum to provide for apprenticeship and traineeship pathways within the HSC. Students in years 10 to 12 can undertake a school-based apprenticeship/traineeship (SBAT), but only as part of their HSC pattern of study and the formal training component (VET course) must contribute unit credit towards the HSC. Students in year 10 may commence an SBAT through early commencement of an HSC VET course. School based trainees enrol in the relevant qualification at a certificate II or certificate III level and must complete a minimum of 100 days of paid employment, or as specified in the relevant Vocational Training Order (VTO). The VET course must be completed by the end of term 3 of the year they will complete their HSC to ensure that they receive the appropriate credit and is generally equivalent to what a full-time apprentice would complete in their first year. Therefore school-based apprentices can commence full-time employment as a second year apprentice providing they have also completed their on-the-job training. Information for students is available from the Department of Education. The School based apprenticeships and traineeships guidelines 2018 provide comprehensive information about SBATs, and are currently being updated.

Students who are funded under Smart and Skilled and commenced their training for an apprenticeship on or after 1 July 2018 or a traineeship on or after 1 January 2020 are eligible for the Fee Free Apprenticeship or Fee Free Traineeship initiatives. The fee is capped at $2000 for apprenticeships and $1000 for traineeships for students that are not eligible for the fee free initiatives. Concessions and fee free training are also available to students in particular equity groups that meet the criteria stated in the fee administration policy.

Publications in VOCEDplus

Nurturing wonder and igniting passion: designs for a new school curriculum: NSW Curriculum Review

► Resources

Victoria

The Victorian government policy for vocational education and training (VET) delivered to secondary students (VDSS) is published by the Department of Education. In November 2019, the government commissioned a major review of the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) and VET delivered to school students. The outcome of the review, delivered in 2021, found major changes are needed. The government has accepted in principle all of the recommendations.

From 2023, the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), Victoria's senior secondary qualification, expanded to include the Vocational Major. The VCE Vocational Major is a two year program vocational and applied learning program that replaces the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL).

The Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) is a flexible foundation secondary course that will meet the needs of the minority of students not able or ready to complete a certificate at the VCE level. The VPC supports students to transition to the VCE, VCE Vocational Major, entry level VET or employment.

The VDSS Core Offering is a set of certificates grouped into 12 pathways. The 12 pathways are organised into six priority pathways and six flexible pathways. The six priority pathways include VET certificates that lead to skills and employment in Victoria's growth industries and government priorities. The six flexible pathways include additional VET certificates that are aligned to students' interests, regional demand, and community needs. All 41 certificates in the VDSS Core Offering are within the VCE-VET programs developed by the VCAA.

Funding for VDSS is primarily through the Student Resource Package (SRP) provided to schools. A revised VDSS funding model, that takes into account the additional costs of VDSS, the different modes of delivery across the state and includes additional funding for VET materials, was introduced for government schools in 2023.

School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs) are available to secondary school students who are over 15 years old; enrolled in years 10, 11 or 12; and are Australian citizens or permanent residents. Non-citizens may be eligible under certain circumstances. An SBAT program runs under a contract with an employer and has a training plan registered with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA). The training must lead to a nationally recognised qualification. The vocational training components of SBATs also contribute credit towards a senior secondary certificate.

Head Start is a program that supports students in years 10 to 12 to participate in a school-based apprenticeship and traineeship (SBAT) program. Year 12 can be done over two years if needed. From 2023, the program is available in all government senior schools. Head Start school-based staff support the student throughout the apprenticeship or traineeship, and engage regularly with the employer, registered training organisation (RTO), school and other stakeholders. Participating schools receive their funding through the Student Resource Package - Targeted Initiatives.

Publications in VOCEDplus

Review into vocational and applied learning pathways in senior secondary schooling [Firth review]

► Resources

Queensland

Students in Queensland can undertake vocational education and training (VET) in Schools (VETiS) delivered and resourced by a school registered training organisation (RTO) as part of their school studies, by enrolling with an external RTO funded either by the Department of Trade, Employment and Training VET investment budget or through fee for service arrangements, or as a school-based apprentice or trainee. VET qualifications can be undertaken in years 10, 11 and 12 and may provide credit towards the Queensland Certificate of Education.

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA), as delegate for the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), registers and audits Queensland school RTOs. School RTOs registered by the QCAA may deliver and assess VET for all qualifications and accredited courses up to AQF Certificate IV level, except those declared as an apprenticeship in Queensland, to students in years 10, 11 and 12 only.

VETiS qualifications funded by the VET investment budget are listed on the Priority Skills List, are at certificate I and II level and are delivered by RTOs who have been approved by the department as Skills Assure suppliers (SAS) under the Certificate 3 Guarantee. A certificate III qualification that accesses funding from the VET investment budget may be undertaken through a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SAT), which is funded under the User Choice program.

The Guide to school-based apprenticeships and traineeships details the requirements which are specific to school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs) and additional to the requirements for all apprenticeships and traineeships. School-based apprentices and trainees are typically in years 10, 11 and 12, but only students in years 11 or 12 are eligible to enter into school-based apprenticeships in the electrotechnology industry if they have also achieved a pass result (semesters 1 and 2 completed) in English, Maths and Science at year 10 level or the equivalent. Students enrolled and attending school in a year other than 10, 11 or 12 may be considered to undertake a SAT, provided a business case has been approved prior to commencing. The apprenticeships and traineeships that are available for school students to participate in under a SAT arrangement in Queensland can be found on the Queensland Training Information Service (QTIS). They are mostly certificate II and III level and are those that are supported by industry as being suitable for this purpose.

Publications in VOCEDplus

Skills for Queensland: great training for quality jobs

► Resources

South Australia

Following a review, the South Australian government released a new policy for vocational education and training (VET) for school students in October 2019. VET for school students: repositioning VET within secondary education in South Australia states Flexible Industry Pathways for school students will be developed and introduced in conjunction with the VET sector and industry for students in senior secondary school.

Students in years 10 to 12 study towards the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE). They can choose to incorporate SACE studies with VET, or Tailored learning. Tailored learning supports young people who have disengaged from school or who have poor attendance at school and may be experiencing complex personal barriers.

The VET courses available to school students in government schools are considered appropriate for school students as part of their secondary education, contribute toward completion of the SACE and are endorsed by industry. The VET courses are offered as part of either:

Flexible Industry Programs (FIPs) include certificate II and III VET qualifications that lead to entry-level employment and/or further education in key South Australian industries. FIPs enable a student to commence a VET qualification while completing their SACE. Students can undertake a pathway through either on-the-job training (a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship) or off-the-job training (institutional delivery). They are aimed at Year 11 and 12 students, and may include customised SACE subjects and Skills Clusters to support students to develop skills for work. There are 26 industry sectors available.
Stackable VET options are short courses delivered within a school timetable that attract SACE credits. They can provide students with pre-vocational skills, work preparedness, and the opportunity to try out different areas before committing to a pathway, or provide advanced skills to support students to progress through their pathway. They can be stacked with multiple options for students to explore different areas while developing their skills for work.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses for school students provides a full summary of VET courses available to government school students. The list of courses is reviewed and endorsed by the South Australian Skills Commission annually to ensure they remain relevant and appropriate for school students.

The Department for Education has established a panel of registered training organisations (RTOs) approved to deliver VET courses to government school students. These RTOs commit to meet quality benchmarks for delivery and to customise the training to the needs of school students in a schooling context.

Subsidised courses approved for school students are identified in the VET for School Students List (VSSL). Access to approved subsidised courses for school students is through the VET Readiness Orientation (VETRO) process which includes the Upfront Assessment of Need. The VET for school students guidelines for training providers outline for training providers the Department for Education purchase arrangements for VET for School Students in South Australia.

Publications in VOCEDplus

► Resources

Western Australia

In Western Australia (WA), nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET) successfully completed by senior secondary students in years 10, 11 or 12 may contribute towards the achievement of a Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE). In 2023, a certificate II or higher is one of the requirements for achieving a WACE if a student is not undertaking a program of study of either at least four Year 12 ATAR courses or at least five Year 12 General courses (or a combination of General and up to three Year 12 ATAR courses). VET qualifications may contribute as WACE course units if undertaken as a part of a VET industry specific course, or as unit equivalents if achieved as VET credit transfer when undertaken independently of a VET industry specific course.

All VET qualifications require registered training organisation (RTO) delivery, assessment and quality control under the relevant VET regulatory body. The delivery options listed in the Vocational education and training qualification register for Western Australian secondary students include:

Institutional-based training (IBT) delivered through an RTO or auspiced delivery where teachers usually deliver and assess the training and a partner RTO quality assures the delivery and assessment and issues the appropriate certificate.
DTWD pre-apprenticeships in schools (PAiS) are certificate II programs which provide a pathway from school to related apprenticeships. Full time students attend school, train at an RTO and are linked to an employer for work placement. The RTO coordinates the work placement in partnership with the school. PAiS programs contribute to the WACE workplace learning requirements.
SCSA VET industry specific (VIS) courses are delivered under auspicing arrangements or by an RTO and package a VET qualification with mandatory workplace learning and may contribute to the WACE requirements.

The Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD) is responsible for funding all school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, and also provides a fixed amount of funding for other VET delivered to secondary students aligned to the workforce development needs of the state. WA TAFE colleges are funded by DTWD to deliver a number of fee-free places to secondary students. Funding is prioritised for students in their final two years of compulsory schooling undertaking VET as part of the WACE. The Vocational education and training delivered to secondary students funding policy outlines the eligibility of enrolled school students to access funding for approved courses, and the Funded list for VET delivered to secondary students, updated yearly, lists courses eligible for a DTWD funded program for school students.

There are three specific VET programs for secondary students that are funded by DTWD:

The Aboriginal school-based training program (ASBT)
Pre-apprenticeships and pre-traineeships in schools
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBA or SBT).

As of November 2018, the School-based apprenticeship and traineeship (SBAT) policy is incorporated into the DTWD Apprenticeship and traineeship policy. SBAT students can enter into an employment arrangement directly with an employer, or through a group training organisation (GTO).

To qualify, students need to be enrolled full time in a government or non-government school as defined in the School Education Act 1999, aged 15 years or more, undertaking an approved school-based apprenticeship or traineeship qualification, have a registered training contract with an employer, have the school-based apprenticeship or traineeship recognised on the WACE2, and be an Australian citizen or hold a visa that is consistent with the employment and study requirements of the training contract. For Aboriginal students, extra support services are provided under the Aboriginal school-based training program (ASBT).

► Resources

Tasmania

The Vocational education and training (VET) to school students: requirements and guidelines have been developed to is to provide direction on how VET programs and processes will be delivered and managed for Tasmanian schools. VET for Tasmanian school students is provided for under the Education Act 2016, which requires students to be engaged in education, training or employment until they complete year 12, attain a certificate III qualification, or they turn 18 years of age (whichever occurs first). Secondary students undertaking VET courses may complete a full qualification, skill sets or units from within a qualification, and may complete it while at school or after they have left school. VET for school students is delivered in a range of settings, including on-campus, online, off-campus at the premises of a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or another relevant learning environment. An approval process has been developed for exceptional circumstances for the delivery of VET to years 9 and 10 students, or certificate III qualifications. VET courses may count toward the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE).

Apprenticeships and Traineeships for School-aged Learners (ApTSLs) can be undertaken by students in years 10, 11 and 12. A student in year 9 can undertake an apprenticeship/traineeship only under certain conditions which may include either a Tasmanian Traineeship and Apprenticeship Committee (TTAC) approval ([Australian School-based Apprenticeship] ASbA) or an exemption from attending school or a combination of both (full-time). TTAC sets the policies and guidelines that in turn set the requirements of each aspect of the training contract. School‐based traineeships and apprenticeships are Policy 7 of Policies and guidelines for traineeships and apprenticeships in Tasmania. School-based apprenticeships and traineeships are indicated under the SBP (School Based Pathway) column on the Tasmanian Apprenticeships/Traineeships list, which also includes the number of funded hours allocated to the qualification.

Publications in VOCEDplus

Years 9 to 12 Project

► Resources

Northern Territory

Under the Northern Territory's (NT) Vocational education and training guidelines, any nationally recognised VET qualifications and/or units of competency from training packages and accredited courses that are successfully completed by secondary students in years 9, 10, 11 or 12 may contribute towards the achievement of a Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET). A completed certificate III qualification may also contribute towards a learner’s Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank, through the NTCET.

The Department of Education and Training supports training for VET delivered to secondary learners through government grant funding allocations. The department funds RTOs to deliver VET qualifications, short courses, and skill sets. All government and non-government school learners from year 9, who are 14 years old at time of enrolment, are eligible to access VET delivered to secondary learners-funded programs.

Participation in a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship is open to any student enrolled in a registered school aged 15 years or older. The department determines qualifications suitable to be undertaken as school-based apprenticeships and traineeships in consultation with stakeholders and are available in most certificate II and III level qualifications. Certificate IV level qualifications and above will only be considered where the qualification has been determined by industry to be entry level.

The nominal duration of a school based apprenticeship and traineeship qualification is prescribed by the department and information regarding the nominal duration for each qualification is available on the NT apprenticeship and traineeship database. School based apprenticeships and traineeships are funded through the Department of Education and Training - Skills NT under User Choice. School based apprenticeships and traineeships are characterised by a structured pattern of work engagement, school and training where the training is part of and contributes to a student’s secondary education and must be endorsed by the school.

► Resources

Departments/authorities
- Department of Education and Training
Legislation
- Education Act 2015
- Training and Skills Development Act 2016
About NT Certificate of Education and Training
Education RTO
How to get an apprenticeship or traineeship in NT
NT apprenticeship and traineeship database (hint: filter for School based)
School based apprenticeships and traineeships policy
VET Delivered to Secondary Students policies and guidelines

Australian Capital Territory

In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), years 10, 11 and 12 students can access vocational education and training (VET) options. The ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (ACT BSSS) is responsible for the certification of senior secondary school students in government, Catholic and independent schools in the ACT, and for ensuring that secondary colleges offering courses leading to a nationally recognised vocational qualification meet relevant quality standards. Most of the ACT's colleges have become registered training organisations (RTOs). Students completing their Senior Secondary Certificate can undertake BSSS VET courses where the college is an RTO, a program of study with an external RTO, or through an Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASBA). Students in year 10 can access VET where their school has an arrangement in place with a college.

Vocational Learning Programs (VLPs) provide short career education and vocational learning programs for students in years 9 to 12. They may be universal programs that are mostly accredited training or targeted programs that are primarily non-accredited training. VLPs are available in a range of industries such as building and construction, electrical, hospitality, business, community services, health, and creative digital technologies. The ACT Education Directorate uses both the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) and private Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) through a fee-for-service arrangement or grants program.

Students over 15 years of age can undertake an Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASbA). An ASbA fits within a student's study program and can count toward their ACT Senior Secondary Certificate. The training may be provided by the college, Canberra Institute of Technology or private provider. The ACT Qualifications Register lists ASbA approved qualifications, certificate I to diploma level, the RTOs approved to deliver these qualifications in the ACT, and available funding. Skills Canberra is responsible for the management of all Australian Apprenticeship Training Contracts in the ACT.

Publications in VOCEDplus

► Resources

National

New South Wales

Victoria

Queensland

South Australia

Western Australia

Tasmania

Northern Territory

Australian Capital Territory

Providing feedback