Year 11 into12 - Career Resources

Click Here to access the VTAC Course Explorer

Click Here to download instructions on how to use the Prerequisite Explorer in Course Search

Vocational education and training (VET) focuses on practical skills in specific industry areas. There are several different levels within the VET system: 

•  Certificates I-II are the most basic qualifications and introduce learners to a vocational field.

• Certificate III-IV courses include trade-level certificates and can lead to skilled employment.

• Certificate IV courses can be used as a pathway to Diploma level training or higher education courses.

• Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas provide deeper level training and equip learners to undertake advanced skilled or paraprofessional work. They also provide a pathway to higher education and can sometimes provide credit towards an undergraduate degree. 

Higher education - the system of institutions and courses that lead to professional qualifications, such as Bachelor Degrees. 

Higher education has a greater focus on theory than VET does, although practical skills are often taught as well. All universities and some TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges are part of the higher education system. The different levels within the higher education system include: 

• Undergraduate courses— eg. Bachelor Degrees and Associate degrees

• Graduate-entry courses—these are undergraduate degrees that are only available to applicants who have a Bachelor Degree or equivalent and include graduate-entry teaching courses. 

• Postgraduate courses—once you have a Bachelor Degree you are eligible to apply for postgraduate study— Graduate Diplomas, Masters and Doctorates (PhDs).

Do you know that you want to do a trade, but are unsure which one to choose?

Go to the Apprenticeship Pathways Career interest explorer.

Look up apprenticeship types on the Job Pathway Charts

Get the Australian Apprenticeships Schools Guide