Vocational Studies

Learn practical skills and gain hands-on experience from Australia’s leading industry experts. Gain internationally recognised qualifications for a range of trades and industry roles.

Perth’s Vocational Education and Training (VET)

International students in Perth have access to a diverse and comprehensive range of Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs covering a wide array of disciplines.

Perth’s VET courses focus on hands-on learning experiences, with many study areas, including work placements or workplace-based training, to help you develop the skills you need to enter the industry.

With state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated trainers, you’ll gain the practical skills and knowledge required to transition into your chosen career successfully.

You can enrol in a VET course at one of Perth’s independent registered training providers (RTOs) or one of the Western Australian Government’s technical and further education (TAFE) institutes.

Fields of study

VET courses are available in a range of areas, including:

Automotive

Agriculture, Horticulture, and Technology

Building and Construction

Business Administration

Creative Industries

Commercial Cookery

Education and Community Services

Health, Personal Services, Sport and Fitness

Hospitality and Food

Tourism and Events

Student stories

Listen to what students from all over the world love most about living and studying in Perth.

Daisy

"The people in Perth are really friendly, and the smiles of strangers always make my day better."

Denver Dias

"The StudyPerth events help the students merge into the culture, and it always puts a smile on my face when I see that."

Keamuhetsoe (Kea) Masiane

"I get to meet students from all over the world and incorporate different cultures into my culture."

What to expect from vocational education and training in Perth

If you want to jumpstart your career in Perth, a Vocational Education and Training (known as VET) course may be the way to go. Perth’s VET system aligns qualifications with industry needs, so what you learn will be what you need for your job.

An Australian VET qualification can be useful as a pathway to work or further study. It can be a stepping stone towards further study (higher level of VET training) or a higher education (university level) degree. If you don’t meet the criteria for your university of choice, a VET qualification may provide you with the education and experience you need.

Alternatively, you can use a VET qualification to jump straight into work. Due to the hands-on nature of the courses, you’ll graduate with the skills needed to be job-ready right away. Based on expert industry advice and taught by industry experts, Australian VET courses are continuously updated to equip students with skills in demand locally and internationally.

Perth VET colleges offer:

A focus on practical skills
A wide range of courses across many industries
Carefully designed courses to meet the current needs of employers
Valuable work experience placements
Industry experts and educators with extensive practical experience
Direct entry into the workforce
Pathways to a university level degree

It’s best to check the intake dates, study duration, fees, and entry requirements with individual VET institutions.

Admission requirements for Perth VET courses

English language proficiency

To enrol in an Australian vocational course, you need to have an Intermediate level of English proficiency. Additionally, some courses may require you to possess an IELTS certificate (with an average score of 5.5 or above) or a Cambridge certificate (FCE or higher).

Academic background

To enter the first level of a VET course, you must have finished at least the third year of high school in your home country.

Student visas

To study a VET course in Perth, you must apply for a Student Visa. Click here for more information on Western Australian Student Visa.

Student Visas and Migration

Vocational training course levels under the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF)

There are many VET courses in a range of fields available to international students, and each is split into various levels.

Upon completing one level, you can move on to the next. However, your starting will depend on your previous education and experience. So you don’t necessarily have to start with a Certificate I; you could instead begin with a Certificate II, III, or IV or even go straight into a Diploma, all depending on your previous education and experience.

The levels include:

Certificate I
- Duration: 3 to 6 months
- Career outcome: Competent operator
Certificate II
- Duration: About 1 year
- Career outcome: Advanced operator
Certificate III
- Duration: About 1 year
- Career outcome: Qualified tradesperson or technician
Certificate IV
- Duration: 12 to 18 months
- Career outcome: Supervisor
Diploma
- Duration: 18 to 24 months
- Career outcome: Paraprofessional
Advanced Diploma
- Duration: 24 to 36 months
- Career outcome: Junior Manager

Perth VET course duration and cost

Duration

Perth VET courses range between 3 months and over 2 years, depending on the level you are undertaking.

Classes typically consist of 20-25 hours of weekly face-to-face sessions.

Cost

The cost of VET courses in Perth varies depending on the course and type of school you choose.

The prices for the courses range from $4,000 to $22,000 per year, which includes training materials. It is common for high-level vocational courses to have higher fees.

FAQ's

More traditional academic programs, such as university degrees, usually have a more academic focus, and it’s more about knowledge, theory, and thinking skills. VET or vocational education and training courses are focused on practical, job-specific skills, allowing you to gain real hands-on experience to gain the skills you need to be job-ready upon graduation.

Many VET courses are available in Perth for international students in a wide range of areas, including automotive, agriculture, building and construction, business administration, creative industries, commercial cookery, education and community services, health and fitness services, hospitality and food, and tourism and events.

A vocational course might be the right choice for you if you’re looking for a pathway to further study or higher education or if you’re looking to jump straight into work once you graduate. Due to the hands-on nature of the courses, you’ll graduate with the skills needed to be job-ready right away.

The entry requirements will differ between VET institutions and their different courses and levels, but to enter the first level of a VET course, you must have finished at least the third year of high school in your home country. Additionally, you need to have an Intermediate level of English proficiency. Some courses may require you to possess an IELTS certificate (with an average score of 5.5 or above) or a Cambridge certificate (FCE or higher). Use our Course Search tool to find VET institutions in Perth and check their entry requirements for your desired course.

Perth VET courses range between 3 months and over 2 years, depending on the level you are undertaking. Classes typically consist of 20-25 hours of weekly face-to-face sessions.

Education Providers

Gain a world-class education from one of Perth’s top-rated independent registered training providers (RTOs) or one of the Western Australian Government’s technical and further education (TAFE) institutes in one of the world’s most liveable cities.

View providers in Perth