About vocational education and training

Many international students and migrants benefit from a vocational education and training (VET) course. A VET course can help you:

improve your skills and upgrade your qualifications
advance to further study or university
improve career or job opportunities
achieve personal goals.

In Queensland, industry and government work together to develop nationally recognised courses in disciplines like:

business
trades and construction
science and technology
design and arts
health
tourism and hospitality
English (find out more about learning English).

Find a course

VET courses are offered across Queensland through different providers including:

public Technical and Further Education (TAFE) Queensland institutes
private colleges and training institutions
some schools and universities.

There are many courses for international students. You can find these courses through:

TAFE Queensland—search for a course offered by the largest public provider of vocational education and training in the state. Contact your preferred TAFE region for international entry requirements and course information.
Private colleges and training institutions – search the CRICOS register for a complete list of Australian institutions offering courses to international students.

Entry requirements

Contact your preferred VET provider to find out more about fees and entry requirements.

Pathways to VET are also available and may help you to gain entry to your chosen course.

Recognition of prior learning and credit transfers

Recognition of prior learning is about acknowledging the skills and knowledge you've gained through work and life experiences. It may help to reduce the time it takes to finish your course.

Credit transfers recognise the study you have already done and may also reduce the time it takes to finish your course.

Visas and health cover

International students studying in Australia must have a student visa and health cover while they are here.

Find out about international student visas and health cover.

Find a quality provider

Finding a quality VET provider is easy.

The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) is the official Australian Government register of all education providers offering courses to international students.

Search the CRICOS register or ask your education provider for a CRICOS course code for your preferred course.

Your path to university

A VET course could help you get the qualifications you need to do further study at a university.

Learning English

Get the English language skills you need to study in Australia.

Become a TAFE teacher

Read what you need to do to become a Queensland TAFE teacher. Your industry and business skills could be valuable in the classroom.

Last updated:: 26 November 2014

Vocational education and training