VET in Schools (VETiS)

Some students undertake nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET) qualifications while they are still at school.

VET is learning which is directly related to work. Nationally recognised qualifications are developed by industry to give people the knowledge and skills they need to work in a particular job.

Students can undertake VET at school:

• as part of their school studies - delivered and resourced by a school registered training organisation (RTO)
• by enrolling in a qualification with an external RTO - funded either by the department's VET investment budget or through fee-for-service arrangements i.e. where the student or parent pays for the qualification
• as a school-based apprentice or trainee.

VETiS funding by the VET investment budget

VETiS qualifications funded by the VET investment budget are listed on the Priority Skills List. These qualifications are delivered by RTOs who have been approved by the department as Skills Assure suppliers (SAS) under the Certificate 3 Guarantee. Schools, in consultation with students and their parents, are able to choose any SAS approved to deliver the eligible qualification.

Students undertaking VETiS, funded by the VET Investment budget, can complete one employment stream qualification at the certificate I or II level.

VETiS qualifications on the Priority Skills List are at the certificate I and II level. Students who wish to access the VET investment budget to undertake a certificate III qualification should do so through a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SAT)—funding for a SAT is available under the User Choice program.

Other certificate III qualifications may be delivered and funded outside of a SAT pathway, where an industry proposal funding submission (DOCX, 429KB) is submitted by an employer or industry body to support local employment opportunities.

For further details on VETiS funded by the VET investment budget and VETiS qualifications, please refer to:

• VETiS frequently asked questions

• Priority Skills List

School-based apprenticeships and traineeships

School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs) allow high school students—typically Years 11 and 12—to work with an employer as paid employees, while studying for their senior certificate. At the same time, students undertake a training qualification with a supervising registered training organisation chosen by both the employer and the student.

A school-based apprentice's or trainee's employment and/or training arrangements must impact on their school timetable for the program to be considered school-based.

Read more about school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.

Related information

• Read VETiS information for school students and parents.

Last updated 29 June 2020