Technical & Vocational Education in Australia

Technical and vocational education in Australia, also known as technical and further education (TAFE) is a form of education that prepares the students for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities related to a specific trade or occupation. The students are trained to develop expertise in a particular technology or techniques that can be classified as procedural knowledge.

TAFE colleges in Australia are institutions that provide a wide range of predominantly tertiary education courses that covers fields such as business, finance, tourism, engineering, community work, information technology and many more. These institutions are known as colleges or institutes depending on the state or territory they belong, and are owned and operated by state or territory governments in Australia.

Within the Australian Qualifications Framework, technical and further education is award with qualifications of up to the level of advanced diploma, which is below that of a Bachelor degree. Since 2002, TAFE Colleges have been awarding degree-level awards and post graduate diplomas to fill niche areas in the industries of Australia. However, these awards do not go beyond the level of Bachelor degree. Other institutions such as some universities offer TAFE courses are funded by the state and territory governments. There are also some high schools that offer courses accredited by TAFE institutions.

There are some institutions that specialize in one study and service the entire state or territory. These are usually located in the middle of an urban centres or capital cities.
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations is the government agency that leads the country's education and workplace training as well as transition to work. It collaborates with the different government agencies with the states and territories to provide easy access to educational services and support programs to the Australian people. It also aims to increase workforce participation and promote fair work practices in Australia.

Tips for choosing the best TAFE College

• Limit your search to the location where you prefer to study. There are many reputable colleges in Australia and deciding whether you want to go to one in your State or in another might help you limit your search to a handful.
• Get as much information as you can from at least a handful of TAFE Colleges that you have in mind. Check their admission requirements, their course offerings, policies, campus and other pertinent information.
• You may want to consider less selective schools with minimum requirements since competition is very tough for a spot in a well-known institution.
• Consider the costs of studying in a college you like. Think about the tuition and other fees, housing, food and transportation.
• Submit as many applications as you can to different TAFE Colleges and take the entrance tests. The more colleges you try out, the better the chances of getting into one.
• When applying, always bring your documents and identification.
• Take a tour of the campus in person. The online campus tour may not always be as informative as going there yourself.
• Your college of choice should always be based on your goals, needs, interests and budget.