Explore TAFE and training provider options

When it comes to TAFE and training providers, you should do your research to find one that will work for you. Many courses are offered by more than one provider, however what each has on offer will be different.

Where can you study?

VET courses are offered by registered training organisations (RTOs) across regional and metropolitan Victoria. These include:

TAFEs, which offer a large range of courses across regional and metropolitan Victoria.
Private training providers, which are usually smaller than TAFEs and often offer courses for a specific industry.
Some Learn Locals(opens in a new window), which are community based organisations that help adults with employment skills, vocational programs, and literacy and numeracy.

Do your research

As you would with any major purchase or investment, you should do your research before you commit. You could try these ideas:

Narrow down your options by researching online to find providers that offer the course you’re interested in. You can search courses by location on the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window).
Contact the provider by phone, email or chat (if available) to ask questions. Even if you think you already know the answer, it’s a good way to test out the service.
Arrange to visit the campus so you can see where you would be studying. If your course has a practical element, ask to look at these facilities, for example, workshops for construction courses, or gardening areas for horticulture courses.

Delivery and training options

Find out as much as you can about how the course is delivered and what options are available. You could ask:

exactly what you will do in the course, for example, project work, field trips, practical placement
what jobs and careers students go on to after finishing the course
learning and assessment activities
on-the-job experience and training opportunities
facilities and equipment you’ll be using
which campuses the course is available at
how long the course goes for
hours of attendance
online and in-person study options
class sizes
services available to students.

For a checklist of what to consider when choosing a training provider, visit the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)(opens in a new window) website.

Also refer to our Know your rights as a student page.

Fees and costs

Training providers can set their own fees, so costs will vary between courses and training providers.

Training providers must tell you exactly how much you’ll have to pay. Before you sign an enrolment contract, ask for the following information about the fees:

an itemised fees statement, including tuition fees, books and materials fees, and student service fees, and when they’re due
information about concessions or refunds, and how to claim them
the census date, which is the last day you can withdraw from the course without losing any of the fees you’ve paid.

Training providers are not allowed to offer you incentives to sign up for a course.

You may be eligible for government funding to help pay for your course, such as Skills First or Free TAFE.

Practical considerations

Taking the time now to plan how you will fit your course into your lifestyle will set you up for success. The below list provides some ideas but is by no means extensive.

How easy is it to get to the campus that offers your preferred course? Will you walk, cycle, take public transport, drive or carpool?
Will you be able to fit your study around your existing commitments? For example, family, caring, work or volunteering?
Will you do the course full or part time? What options does your preferred provider offer?
Will attending face to face classes be practical? How many hours a week will you need to be on campus?
Will some classes be offered online? Some people prefer in-person learning, while others find online classes more practical.
What commitment will be required for placement course units? Will this be in your local area?

Registered training organisations (RTOs)

RTOs can be TAFEs, private training providers, adult and community education providers, or secondary colleges and schools.

All RTOs:

are registered with the Australian Government or the Victorian Government
meet government quality standards
deliver accredited training that leads to nationally recognised qualifications.

All training providers on the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window) are RTOs that deliver courses in Victoria.

Nationally recognised qualifications

Check if the course will give you the type of qualification and skills you need for the job you want to do when you’re finished.

Nationally recognised qualifications and their individual units are accredited and regulated under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)(opens in a new window). This means they meet certain standards, including specific learning outcomes and what you need to achieve to get the qualification.

Only RTOs can deliver nationally recognised training and issue nationally recognised qualifications or statements of attainment.

All qualifications on the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window) are nationally recognised.

Know your rights as a student

Before you enrol in a course, make sure you understand exactly what you're signing up for. See our know your rights as a student page to find out what to look out for.