What is VET and what are the benefits?
Vocational Education and Training (VET) provides workplace skills, technical knowledge and qualifications for rewarding jobs and careers.
Is VET right for me?
VET is the practical education option with courses designed by industry experts that combine work-ready skills with the latest knowledge.
VET qualifications provide a fast, cost-effective pathway to employment, giving you first-hand experience and confidence to navigate a rapidly changing environment.
When you enrol in a VET course, the skills, knowledge and experience you have gained from your previous learning and work experience may be taken into account. You won’t have to study subjects that you have already mastered.
Qualifications range across four levels of certificates (Certificate I, II, III and IV), as well as Diploma courses and Advanced Diploma courses. The range of professions with strong job prospects may surprise you.
VET is offered by a variety of training providers, both publicly through TAFE NSW and privately.
If you choose an apprenticeship or traineeship, you can complete your training while you work. You’ll do a real job for a real employer and earn a real wage while getting your qualification.
What about apprenticeships and traineeships?
Apprenticeships and traineeships combine practical work-based on-the-job training with an employer and formal learning or off-the-job training from an approved provider.
These VET courses are established under training contracts between the employer, the training provider and the apprentice or trainee and are regulated by government. They're a great way to be paid for work while learning and earning a qualification.
Are you ready?
Explore our information section on Getting started with VET.
Create your future now - apprenticeships and traineeships in NSW.
Where VET can take you
VET institutions specialise in providing you with hands-on experience and real-world skills to help you pursue your chosen career.
VET courses cover a wide array of industries and a myriad of job opportunities from administration, retail, tourism & hospitality to community services, health, transport, technology, construction, utilities, mining and manufacturing.
VET benefits by profession
Explore the benefits of studying VET to prepare for jobs in these in-demand industries.
Nursing
A VET Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Nursing provides the skills and knowledge required for jobs across the health sector. Enrolled nurses integrate and adapt specialised, technical and theoretical knowledge to address a diverse range of clinical situations and challenges. They help improve clinical practice using research and participate in broader organisational quality processes.
Health workers
A VET qualification in health can set you up for a career in a range of occupations, from dental hygiene, optometry, pharmacy, disability services, mental health and aged-care, to fitness training, sports science, lifestyle coaching and nutrition. With over 75 qualifications to choose from, there is sure to be a health career just right for you.
Childcare
Early childhood education and care qualifications teach skills for designing and implementing curricula for early childhood services. They work within an approved learning framework including requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the National Quality Standard.
Finance and accounting
VET qualifications in finance or accounting offer you a chance to work on your leadership skills and apply theoretical and specialist knowledge in a finance setting. Jobs may include accountant, accounting clerk, bookkeeper, financial broker or a financial investments advisor.
Design
Design qualifications offer jobs applying technical skills in a wide range of industries from construction and the built environment to multimedia, technology and fashion. Occupations may include architectural, building & surveying technician, graphic or web designer, or fashion designer.
Management
A VET qualification in the management arena offers you a chance to work on your leadership skills and learn how to apply theoretical and specialist knowledge in a business setting. Jobs include management positions in retail, restaurants, call centres, distribution centres and large businesses.
Agriculture
A qualification in agriculture gives a chance to work outdoors cultivating land, growing plants, soil testing or raising stock. Jobs may include livestock farm worker, agricultural technician or farm owner/operator.
A qualification in agriculture gives a chance to work outdoors cultivating land, growing plants, soil testing or raising stock. Jobs may include livestock farm worker, agricultural technician or farm owner/operator.
Early childhood education and care qualifications teach skills for designing and implementing course and programs for early childhood services. They work within an approved learning framework including requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the National Quality Standard.
Design qualifications offer jobs applying technical skills in a wide range of industries from construction and the built environment to multimedia, technology and fashion. Occupations may include architectural, building & surveying technician, graphic or web designer, or fashion designer.
VET qualifications in finance or accounting offer you a chance to work on your leadership skills and apply theoretical and specialist knowledge in a finance setting. Jobs may include accountant, accounting clerk, bookkeeper, financial broker or a financial investments advisor.
A VET qualification in the management arena offers you a chance to work on your leadership skills and learn how to apply theoretical and specialist knowledge in a business setting. Jobs include management positions in retail, restaurants, call centres, distribution centres and large businesses.
A VET Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Nursing provides the skills and knowledge required for jobs across the health sector. Enrolled nurses integrate and adapt specialised, technical and theoretical knowledge to address a diverse range of clinical situations and challenges. They help improve clinical practice using research and participate in broader organisational quality processes.
Find a course
All courses
Use the MySkills search VET study options to find courses available in Australia.
Low-fee or free courses
Use Skills Compare to discover NSW Government-subsidised low fee or fee-free VET courses.