In Australia, TAFE stands for Technical and Further Education. These are vocational or certification courses provided by the National Training System of Australia, ranging from certificate to postgraduate level. These vocational education and training (VET) courses are primarily offered by TAFE institutes (public colleges) or private registered training organisations (private colleges). Students often opt to study VET courses through public TAFE institutes, because of the sense of security provided due to their standing as government-owned education providers.
How does TAFE differ from university / regular education pathways?
- Practical courses: University courses are centred on academics, whereas TAFE courses are more hands-on and centred on practical workplace skills and training. TAFE facilities are fully equipped with industry-standard apparatus — allowing students to gain vital first-hand experience operating said appliances. TAFE courses are designed to meet industry needs. Recognising the importance of work experience, TAFE courses provide numerous opportunities for students to undertake on-the-job training.
- Wide range of courses: TAFE institutes are notable for providing VET courses (e.g. certificates, diplomas). Recently, some TAFE institutes have extended their course range — e.g. undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs; secondary school studies; and English language courses.
- Accessibility: TAFE institutes aim to be accessible, hence have fewer and less stringent entry requirements than universities do. Due to its accessibility, many students decide to pursue TAFE as a pathway to gain entry into their desired university.
- Course structure: The skills and units taught in university degrees may vary from one institute to another, whereas the skills and units covered by students in TAFE are consistent across institutes. VET qualifications follow an industry-relevant and nationally endorsed training package, which outlines the required competencies students must achieve at each qualification level. This enables students to gain uniform skills as demanded by the industry.
You should enrol in a TAFE institute if you are hoping to achieve the following:
- Gain relevant, specialised, practical skills that transfer directly to the job market
- Improve your job prospects
- Take advantage of the extensive range of courses and subject areas on offer
- Take advantage of the smaller class sizes (Individual attention from instructors)
- Improve your chances of being accepted into higher education courses
Study At TAFE NSW
TAFE NSW is the Government of New South Wales’ public provider of VET. This institute is the leading provider of VET courses in Australia, with an upwards of 500,000 students enrolling in their nationally recognised courses and training annually. With their state-of-the-art facilities; modern campuses; and extensive range of courses and qualifications, they offer some of the best vocational education suitable for individuals from all walks of life — be it school leavers, career changers, or businesses.
Unlike traditional TAFE institutes, TAFE NSW branched out and now offers in-house undergraduate degree programs. A TAFE NSW degree will impart you with real world skills that employers are seeking.
Good news for international students! TAFE NSW is currently offering scholarships for eligible international students. There are two scholarship options on offer:
- A 25% scholarship (applicable for the full duration of your course), or
- A total scholarship value of AUD$2,000 (applicable for the first two semesters of your course)
The scholarship option awarded to you depends on your ability to meet certain criteria and minimum requirements. Reach out to Excel Education to learn more about your eligibility for these scholarships.
Worried you may not qualify for the minimum requirements for the previous two scholarship options? Fret not, TAFE NSW is also offering an early bird discount for international students worth AUD$1,000.
You can choose from over 40 locations across New South Wales to attend. If you attend one of their 20 regional locations, you may qualify for an additional 5 points on your permanent residency (PR) application.
Contact Excel Education for further information on visa eligibility and application requirements upon completion of your desired TAFE program.
Pathways Offered at TAFE NSW, Australia
These are the common qualifications pursued at TAFE NSW, and the different pathways offered for each qualification:
Certificate III | Pathways available: SPM/IGCSE* → Certificate III → Certificate IV or Diploma or Employment |
Certificate IV | Pathways available: SPM/IGCSE* or Certificate III → Certificate IV → Diploma or Advanced diploma or Bachelor’s degree or Employment *Some certificate courses require STPM/A Level or equivalent. |
Diploma | Pathways available: STPM/A Level* or Certificate III or Certificate IV → Diploma → Advanced diploma or Bachelor’s degree (Year 2)# or Employment *Other Year 12 equivalents accepted. #Some units/credits from a relevant Diploma may be exempted for its corresponding Bachelor’s degree, enabling students to fast-track their Bachelor’s degree by commencing in Year 2. |
Advanced diploma | Pathways available: STPM/A Level* or Certificate IV or Diploma → Advanced diploma → Bachelor’s degree (Year 2)# or Employment *Other Year 12 equivalents accepted. #Some units/credits from a relevant Advanced diploma may be exempted for its corresponding Bachelor’s degree, enabling students to fast-track their Bachelor’s degree by commencing in Year 2. |
Bachelor’s degree | Pathways available: STPM/A Level* or Certificate IV or Diploma or Advanced diploma → Bachelor’s degree or Bachelor’s degree (Year 2)# *Other Year 12 equivalents accepted. #Some units/credits from a relevant Diploma or Advanced diploma may be exempted for its corresponding Bachelor’s degree, enabling students to fast-track their Bachelor’s degree by commencing in Year 2. |
Contact Excel Education for further information on the differences between the pathways offered at TAFE NSW.
Further Pathways to University: TAFE NSW also offers pathway programs that provide guaranteed entry into a number of leading Australian universities:
- TAFE NSW to University pathway
- Articulation (credit transfer)
General Entry Requirements for TAFE NSW
Academic Requirements:
Certificate III
Certificate IV | Australian Year 10 or equivalent.
*Some courses require Australian Year 12 or equivalent qualification. |
Diploma
Advanced diploma | Australian Year 12 or equivalent.
Relevant Certificate III or Certificate IV qualification. |
Bachelor’s degree | Australian Year 12 or equivalent.
Relevant Certificate IV qualification.
Relevant Diploma or Advanced diploma qualification. |
Language Requirements:
Certificate III
Certificate IV
Diploma
Advanced diploma | SPM English 1119: Grade C6
IGCSE English as First Language: Grade C or 4
IGCSE English as Second Language: Grade B or 5
IELTS: Total score of ≥5.5
TOEFL IBT: Total score of ≥46
Pearson Test of English: Overall score of ≥42
Cambridge C1 Advanced/Proficiency: Overall score of ≥162 |
Bachelor’s degree | IELTS: Total score of ≥6.5
TOEFL IBT: Total score of ≥79
Pearson Test of English: Overall score of ≥58
|
Some courses have additional entry requirements — such as the submission of a portfolio, essays, and/or the successful completion of an interview. For inquiries on the specific prerequisites of your desired course, contact Excel Education.
Top Programs Offered at TAFE NSW
#1 Early Childhood Education & Care
This is a suitable subject area for you to pursue if you are passionate about early childhood education, are observant and patient, love working with children, and hope to help them grow and develop. There is a very strong growth projected for job opportunities in this area over the next 5 years in Australia.
Courses offered in this subject area at TAFE NSW are:
Course | Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care | Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care (Birth-5) |
Duration | 0.5 year | 1 year, 1.5 years | 4 years |
Intake | February, July | February, July | February, July |
Indicative Fees | |||
For more information on course structure, entry requirements, duration, fees, and campus locations for your desired course, contact us!
#2 Nursing
Nursing is a calling for those who wish to make a difference to the lives of people and communities by promoting quality healthcare experiences. This is a suitable subject area for you to pursue if you enjoy working with people, are dedicated and empathic, are full of energy, and have a desire to care for others.
Courses offered in this subject area at TAFE NSW are:
Course | Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (Assisting in Nursing Work in Acute Care) | Diploma of Nursing |
Duration | 0.5 year | 1.5 years |
Intake | February, July | February, April, May, July, September, October |
Indicative Fees | ||
For more information on course structure, entry requirements, duration, fees, and campus locations for your desired course, contact us!
#3 Information & Communications Technology (ICT)
The ICT industry is relentlessly evolving, which allows the field to be progressive, dynamic, and exciting. This paves the way for continuous creation, innovation, and growth. Pursuing a course in this subject area is a suitable move for you if you are interested in a technical support role, cybersecurity, creating systems and software, or designing games and websites.
There is a massive shortage of skilled ICT specialists in Australia. The country’s largest ICT sector (i.e. computer system design and related services) is projected to continue its strong growth in employment levels — with 34,500 new job opportunities by 2025.
The courses highlighted in this subject area at TAFE NSW are:
Course | Certificate IV in Programming | Diploma of Information Technology | Diploma of Website Development | Bachelor of Information Technology (Network Security) |
Duration | 0.5 year | 1 year | 0.5 year | 3 years |
Intake | February, July | February | February, July | February, July |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education | |||
A total of 15 courses are offered in this area. Contact us to learn about the other ICT courses; or for more information on the course structure, entry requirements, duration, fees, and campus locations for your desired course.
#4 Hospitality
Hospitality is a fast-paced and vibrant industry which nurtures excellent customer service and experiences. Pursuing a course in this subject area is a suitable move for you if you are interested in managing a hotel, starting your own café, or working in a bar. one of the most diverse and largest employers across the globe With the industry being one of the most diverse and largest employers across the globe, you could seek employment anywhere in the world.
TAFE NSW’s Ryde campus and Le Cordon Bleu Sydney share the same hospitality facilities — one of the largest in the Asia-Pacific region. Utilising the same state-of-the-art teaching facilities, but with more affordable program fees? Yes please!
Courses offered in this subject area at TAFE NSW are:
Course | Certificate IV in Hospitality | Diploma of Hospitality Management | Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management |
Duration | 0.5 year | 0.5 year, 1 year | 0.5 year, 1 year, 1.5 years |
Intake | February, July | February, March, July, September | February, March, July, September |
Indicative Fees | |||
For more information on course structure, entry requirements, duration, fees, and campus locations for your desired course, contact us!
#5 Real Estate & Valuation
Pursuing your real estate & valuation studies with TAFE NSW will prepare you for a career in property valuation, sales, development, and management. A course in this subject area is suitable for individuals who are goal-oriented and enjoy helping others.
Courses offered in this subject area at TAFE NSW are:
Course | Bachelor of Property Valuation |
Duration | 3 years |
Intake | February, July |
Indicative Fees |
For more information on course structure, entry requirements, duration, fees, and campus locations for your desired course, contact us!
#6 Building & Construction
Building and construction is a calling for those who wish to work on infrastructure projects, commercial and industrial buildings, or someone’s dream home. You will work alongside architects and engineers to design working drawings and building plans for new constructions and renovations. This is a suitable subject area for you to pursue if you are creative and imaginative, excel at problem solving and time management, and have an interest in architecture and design. There is a strong growth projected for job opportunities in this area over the next 5 years in Australia.
Courses offered in this subject area at TAFE NSW are:
Course | Certificate III in Bricklaying/Blocklaying | Certificate III in Painting and Decorating | Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling | Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) | Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) |
Duration | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
Intake | February, July | February, July | February, July | February, July | February, July |
Indicative Fees | |||||
For more information on course structure, entry requirements, duration, fees, and campus locations for your desired course, contact us!
Make a smart and secure investment in your future by studying a TAFE program — where the course structure is directly linked to emerging industries and business fields in Australia. Do you have questions regarding TAFE NSW? Contact Excel Education today for a free consultation session.
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About The Author
Amanda Goon
In pursuit of lifelong learning. When I’m not talking science, you can find me in the studio dancing, the kitchen baking, or nose deep in a good book.