2026 School Leavers' Guide

The VET system provides training for around four million students annually for a wide range of occupations. VET is competency-based and directly job related. VET provides industry relevant skills for a broad range of employment opportunities to support a skilled workforce for employers.

Courses are offered through a variety of Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) including:

• TAFE institutes;
• Private and enterprise training providers;
• Industry organisations;
• Professional associations;
• Adult and community training providers; and
• Universities.

Subsidised places and loans for study are available to students through the VET student loans program.

For more information on VET opportunities, including courses and training providers, visit: www.yourcareer.gov.au/learn-and-train/myskills

Universities offer a wide range of general and specific courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with subsidised places and loans for study available to students through the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP).

If you are considering going directly from school to university, it is important to fully explore university and course requirements. Look at prerequisite Year 11 and 12 subjects for courses, and the campuses at which they are offered.

You can visit www.compared.edu.au, gooduniversityguide.com.au, and www.courseseeker.edu.au to help you decide which university and which course is right for you.

Some universities also run enabling courses that can help you build your skills in preparation for study.

You can apply to your chosen university (on the basis of your ATAR special or alternative entry, or advanced standing entry.

In most states and territories, applications are processed through a Tertiary Admissions (Service) Centre. Contact individual universities and Tertiary Admissions Centres for further advice.

Approved private higher education providers are generally higher education providers which offer a range of fee-paying courses leading to a higher education award course.

Visit www.compared.edu.au and www.courseseeker.edu.au to view and compare higher education institutes and courses.

Currently, only a few of these providers are approved by the Government to offer Commonwealth Supported Places. However, many of them can offer a HELP loan.

Further information on higher education can be found at: www.studyassist.gov.au

• New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory — www.uac.edu.au
• Queensland — www.qtac.edu.au
• South Australia and Northern Territory — www.satac.edu.au
• Victoria — www.vtac.edu.au
• Western Australia — www.tisc.edu.au
• Tasmania — www.utas.edu.au

An apprenticeship or traineeship kick starts your future with a paid job and structured vocational education and training. It provides you with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while building important technical, business and service skills.

An apprenticeship or traineeship is offered in more than 500 occupations across the workforce including building and construction, health care, agriculture, manufacturing, automotive, tourism, beauty, hospitality, mining and digital technologies.

For more information visit www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au

Many providers offer alternative modes of study to tertiary students, such as online or distance education. You should check with providers directly.

Regional University study hubs also help students in regional, rural, and remote Australia participate in tertiary education.

Students who are enrolled at a university or VET provider can use a regional university study hub for a place to study and access staff support.

For more information, please visit regionaluniversitystudyhubsnetwork.edu.au.

If you are a job seeker wishing to develop your reading, writing maths skills to improve your chances of finding and keeping a job, the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program can help.

Training is delivered flexibly through full-time or part-time hours, via face-to-face or distance training. A work experience component can also be included in some cases.

To find out if you are eligible for this program and to be referred to a SEE provider, talk to Services Australia or your local employment service provider including:

For further information about SEE visit: www.dewr.gov.au/skills-education-and-employment