Vocational education and training (VET)
Vocational education and training —otherwise referred to as training or VET—is learning that directly relates to getting a job.
The VET system delivers education and training services at every stage of your life, whether you're a student, job seeker or already employed, providing the practical skills and knowledge to:
- join the workforce for the first time
- re-join the workforce
- gain a trade or vocation (through apprenticeships and traineeships)
- enter further tertiary study
- advance your career or professional development.
Training is a great way to fast track your career or education. You can complete training in whole qualifications, or if you need specific skills, a skill set (a single or combination of units of competency).
Qualification levels offered (from lowest to highest) are:
- Certificate I, II, III or IV
- Diploma
- Advanced Diploma
- Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Diploma.
Read more about how training fits in your education pathway.
Find out about our funded training programs, giving you the opportunity to gain skills through free and reduced-cost qualifications and skill sets.
How can training help me
School students
Participating in the right training while at school can help you transition to employment, vocational and higher education after school.
To find out what options are available at your school, talk to your guidance officer, career counsellor, VET coordinator or head of senior schooling.
Job seekers
Training can give you:
- a nationally recognised qualification or skill set
- industry relevant skills and knowledge
- on-the-job experience through apprenticeships and traineeships.
Learn how training can help you.
Professional development
Completing a course while you work can help you to:
- gain formal qualifications which may help you advance in your chosen career
- update specific skills through skill sets
- change your focus or career direction
- improve your capability within your current role.
You may gain course credit for your existing qualifications or experience through a process known as recognition of prior learning.
Training providers
Training providers deliver and assess nationally recognised training for qualifications.
Training providers must be registered with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) and will be known as a registered training organisation (or RTO). Some training providers may also be contracted to the Queensland Government to deliver funded training – known as Skills Assure Suppliers.
Search for a training provider:
- Queensland Skills Gateway – search for training providers by location, qualification, or industry, or filter providers contracted to deliver funded training.
- Queensland Training Information Service (QTIS) – search for training providers delivering training for specific apprenticeships and traineeships.
- Training.gov.au – search the national register of training packages, qualifications, skill sets, accredited courses, and training providers approved to deliver this training.
- Your Career – search for providers of all levels of qualifications (schools, VET and higher education) throughout Australia, based on keywords and locations.
Your training may be considered a significant purchase, and like all significant purchases, you should do your research. View our training consumer tips to help with choosing your training provider.
Training packages and accredited courses
Training packages are an essential part of Australia's VET system.
Training packages are a collection of units of competency, skill sets and qualifications that outline and assess the knowledge and skills an individual requires to successfully perform their role in the workplace.
Learn more about training packages through ASQA.