All you need to know about TAFE Institutes in Australia

Australian Education System is, broadly speaking, more focussed on skill development. The same is achieved by a wide range of Vocational and Educational Training courses which range from six months to over three years. These courses are administered by Registered Training Organizations which can be both private as well as government funded. The Government owned/ funded institutes that provide VET courses are called TAFE institutes in Australia or Technical and Further Education Institutions. So if you are looking in Australia for employment opportunities after your education, TAFE institutes offer you an excellent alternative path and opportunity to achieve the same. TAFE or Technical and Further Education, aims to offer education comprehensively by combining essential, industry-relevant practical skills with industry-relevant theory.

TAFE vs. Universities in Australia

Technical and Further Education institutes or TAFE offer an excellent pathway for students who find themselves short of a University admission. Offered under the supervision of the Government of Australia’s strict dictums of quality in education, these certifications are a great way to start off your education in Australia. A word of caution though, these certificate programs are not eligible for Commonwealth Scholarships and though an applicant can apply for FEE-HELP, an applicant generally pays up the entire fee.

What is interesting to note is that while the Work Permit options include TAFE, some of the programs under the TAFE also provide an excellent platform for international students to improve their scores and seek admissions in a university’s bachelor/ graduate programs. Many of the diploma and advanced diploma certifications can be computed for credits for gaining admission into a full-time bachelor's program at a University. Hence, for an international student, TAFE are the institutions that offer you a ticket to Australia and a chance to fulfil your career dreams. Read: International Student Guide to Australia

Check out: Diploma Courses in Australia

Another advantage of TAFE over University is the relatively relaxed admission processes and cut-offs. The eligibility for a TAFE is a class 12 or equivalent. Even a class 10 student can choose to undertake an advanced diploma from a TAFE institute in Australia and later migrate to a full-time degree course, gaining the necessary training for the chosen career.

In comparison to Australian Universities (which are often private), TAFE institutes are also cheaper. Though the range might vary greatly from $4000 to $22,000, depending on the certificate program and the place opted for, it is still a cheaper alternative to a three-year degree program at a University. Read: Cost of Studying in Australia

Courses and Qualifications offered by TAFE

TAFE institutes offer a number of certificates (Level I – IV), diplomas, advanced diplomas, and Vocational graduate certificates/diplomas – all accredited as per Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) certifications. All these certifications vary in length and offer different levels of proficiency. Here’s a look at how long they last and what kind of a career path they offer in turn.

Check: Famous TAFE Institutes in Australia Accepting International Students

Apart from the above, TAFE institutes also offer Vocational Graduate Certificate/ Diploma. These are considered at par with higher education graduate certificates and offer high-level employment-related skills. They might range from a 12-month period to a two-year full-time program. English language courses are also offered by TAFE.

Free TAFE Courses in Australia

The Victorian Government of Australia would be offering free TAFE courses which will begin to appear on the Gateway in the following coming months of 2023. The courses that would be included for upskilling are:

• Diploma of Auslan
• Diploma of Interpreting (Auslan)
• Advanced Diploma of Interpreting (Auslan)
• Certificate III in Production Horticulture
• Diploma of Emergency Health Care
• Graduate Certificate in Client Assessment and Case Management
• Agricultural Chemical Skill Set
• Hybrid Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing Skill Set
• Battery Electric Vehicle Diagnose and Repair Skill Set
• Battery Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing Skill Set
• Mental Health Co-existing Needs Skill Set
• Mental Health Peer Work Skill Set

Check: Cost of Studying in Australia

To sum up, TAFE or Technical and Further Education institutes in Australia can be compared to the polytechnics in India that offer diploma courses. The certificates offered are accepted worldwide and also in India. Furthermore, if you are interested in small certificate courses in special skills like culinary, fashion, language or even education, these institutes offer you the very best of options at a fraction of the cost as well as provide you with a ready acceptance with the industry in Australia. So be it a stepping stone to your degree or a job in Australia, TAFE is something that makes good sense.