The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page contains answers to commonly raised queries about vocational education and training (VET) and related topics. If you are looking for information about what My Skills or VET is, please visit the About page.
You can either browse this page or use the search box below to locate FAQs.
Answer:
The Unique Student Identifier or USI is a reference number made up of 10 numbers and letters that:
If you are a new or continuing student undertaking nationally recognised training, you need a USI in order to receive your qualification or statement of attainment. If you don't have a USI you will not receive your qualification or statement of attainment.
More information about USI is available here: usi.gov.au
Answer:
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is a way of using your existing skills to get a (full or part) formal qualification. If you have work skills or knowledge acquired through paid or unpaid work experience, life experience or community work; you may be able to get RPL. The RPL process takes into account all the relevant skills, knowledge and experience that you have - regardless of the way you got them.
Having your knowledge and skills formally recognised can help your career development. Recognition of prior learning may:
You don't need to have already been a student or have done formal training. You may be eligible because of your work skills and knowledge, your paid or unpaid work experience, life experience or community work experience.
You will need to be assessed by a qualified assessor. An assessor works for, or on behalf of, a registered training organisation (RTO). You provide evidence that your knowledge and skills meet the required standards. There are many ways of doing this. Evidence of your knowledge and skills can take a variety of forms; it could include a certification (formal qualification or statement of attainment), references from past employers, testimonials from clients, work samples or an assessor may observe you doing tasks and have a conversation with you about your skills. Once the qualification or RPL decision is awarded, it is recognised by every other RTO.
Search My Skills to find the qualification you want. Contact the RTO or training provider that is offering that qualification to find out the best way to demonstrate your prior learning. Talk to an assessor about the evidence you can supply and ask them about applying for RPL. Many education and training providers have information about RPL on their websites.
Answer:
Each registered training organisation (RTO) may provide a range of various training delivery options depending on the course and the organisation’s education practices. Options may include:
Answer:
Australian Apprenticeships (apprenticeships and traineeships) are training contracts between an employer and the apprentice. They are available in a variety of certificate and diploma levels in over 500 occupations across Australia. This covers traditional trades and a diverse range of other careers in business and industry. Specialisations include: agriculture, automotive, building and construction, business and finance services, community services and health, hairdressing, horticulture, information technology, manufacturing, public service, retail and telecommunications.
Apprentices agree to achieve a level of competency through a combination of work-based training and training with an RTO. These courses can be taken either part-time or full-time and are based on Training Packages. Depending on the type of apprenticeship, it can take from 1 to 4 years to complete.
Approval of Australian Apprenticeships training arrangements is the responsibility of the state and territory training authorities working in cooperation with employers and RTOs. All training agreements are registered with the relevant state or territory training authority.
The Australian Apprenticeships Pathways website has apprenticeship and traineeship information and resources, including: sample job and training descriptions, industry-based job pathway charts, and practice aptitude quizzes.
More information is available here: Australian Apprenticeships
Answer:
Many registered training organisations (RTOs) offer group training courses tailored to meet specific industry needs. To make training more accessible some RTOs will provide training at your business’s choice of premises. On the My Skills website this is referred to as ‘off-site training’. Contact the RTO directly to find out if they deliver training to suit your needs.
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Time of enrolment varies throughout the vocational education and training (VET) sector. To find out when you can enrol you need to contact the RTO directly to confirm the course availability and enrolment process.
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Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) system has strong quality assurance arrangements in place to support quality education and training outcomes for students and employers.
The National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (the NVETR Act) and the National Standards for VET Regulators 2011 outline the requirements of training organisations, and what students can expect from RTOs.
The national standards require that RTOs:
There are further protections for students undertaking study with an approved VET Student Loans provider. From pre-enrolment with an approved provider through to the student undertaking their study, the (HESA) includes a number of measures to protect students, including tuition assurance; for example, in the event of the provider ceasing to offer a unit, the student can choose between being placed with an alternate provider or having their fees refunded.
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Migration
See Skills assessment and assessing authorities for information about the recognition and assessment of overseas qualifications.
Employment
The requirements to work in Australia depend on the occupation. More information is available here: Australian Skills Recognition Information
Study
The education provider is responsible for the recognition of foreign qualifications for admission to study, see Study in Australia.
Answer:
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is a skills assessment service provider and is the designated assessing authority for a range of trade and associate professional occupations under the Migration Regulations 1994. TRA conducts skills assessments for applicants who are seeking to migrate to Australia on a temporary or permanent basis.
TRA also manages assessments for Australian residents seeking recognition in an automotive, electrical or metal trade for employment purposes and/or to access occupational licensing.
TRA can be contacted on the details below for further information about TRA and the skills assessment services it provides.
Web: Trades Recognition Australia - Home
Email: traenquiries@Education.gov.au
Telephone (within Australia): 1300 360 992 (10 am – 12 pm; 1 pm – 4 pm)
Telephone (outside Australia): +61 2 6240 8778 (10 am – 12 pm; 1 pm – 4 pm)
The average course fee information provides consumers with an indication of approximate course training costs. Course fee information is provided by Registered training providers. The average course fee is determined by using the median of the supplied course fees.
The average course fee information on My Skills may assist you in deciding which course best suits your needs. However, please note that not all training organisations currently have this information on My Skills, and in all cases it is best to contact the training organisation directly to see what they can offer. Remember to ask about all the costs or fees associated with completing the course, such as: tuition fees, service/amenity fees, material fees or equipment costs.
These statistics detail information on the outcomes of graduates approximately six months after they completed their Vocational Education and Training (VET). The employment outcomes, median salaries, and top three occupations and industries are shown for graduates. Data is displayed at three different levels:
Data is sourced from the Student Outcomes Survey, conducted by NCVER, which focuses on students' employment outcomes and satisfaction with VET in Australia.
The Student Outcomes Survey is an annual survey, which covers students who have an Australian address as their usual address and are awarded a qualification (graduates) or who successfully complete part of a course and then leave the VET system (subject completers). Students who undertake recreational, leisure or personal enrichment (short) courses are excluded. The survey has included students from all VET providers (not just TAFE), as well as students whose training was on a fee-for-service basis.
For further information on the data collection and the terms and definitions of these statistics please visit the Student Outcomes information at NCVER.