Apprenticeships work for everyone

Whoever you are, whatever your goals, there's an apprenticeship or traineeship that can work for you.

Vocational education and 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, jobseeker or already employed.

VET also plays a significant role in senior school studies. School-based training allows students to study a recognised qualification while at school which can count towards their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and/or Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).

Qualifications

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) regulates qualifications in Australian education and training, including those offered in schools, VET and higher education sectors.

Qualification levels offered under VET (from highest to lowest) are:

  • Vocational graduate diploma
  • Vocational graduate certificate
  • Advanced diploma
  • Diploma
  • Certificate IV (4)
  • Certificate III (3)
  • Certificate II (2)
  • Certificate I (1).

Learn more about the AQF and qualification levels.

Training packages and accredited courses

Training packages are an essential part of Australia's VET system.

Training packages are an integrated set of nationally endorsed competency standards and assessment guidelines, specifying the knowledge and skills an individual requires to successfully perform their role in the workplace.

Learn more about training packages through the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).

Training providers

Training providers deliver and assess nationally recognised training for VET qualifications.

To do so, the training provider must be registered with ASQA and will be known as a registered training organisation (RTO). Some training providers may also be contracted to the Queensland Government to deliver subsidised training – known as Skills Assure Suppliers (or SAS).

Search for a training provider:

  • Queensland Skills Gateway – search for training providers by location, qualification, or industry, or filter providers contracted to deliver subsidised 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 (school, 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.

Related information

VET participation activity data and statistics
Data and statistics relating to VET participation and VET outcomes.

Last updated 14 March 2024

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