Overview
Technical and further education is a subset of the Australian educational sector specializing in the provision of training in a broad set of selected skills and crafts. Mainly publicly funded colleges and institutes offer technical and further education courses in various study areas such as:
Aged CareEducationAccountingManagementBusinessCommunity servicesFinancial planningBusinessBusiness administrationCounselingProject managementNursingBeauty TherapyHospitalityTourismLanguagesEngineeringTransportArtsInformation TechnologyFoodAnimal careAgricultureCoding (Programming)ConservationLand managementCyber securityEvent managementMental healthPhotographyWeb designWeb development
Generally, these subjects offer certificates and diploma qualifications to interested students. In some instances, these qualifications can be used as an alternative route and pathway to certain bachelor degree programmes at a university. It must also be noted that certificates offered by TAFE-providing institutions vary in timeframes and are generally regulated by the Australian Qualifications Framework.
List of some Technical and Further Education (TAFE) Institutes in Australia
Technical and Further Education (TAFE) New South WalesTechnical and Further Education (TAFE) International Western AustraliaCharles Darwin UniversityRoyal Melbourne Institute of TechnologyCanberra Institute of TechnologyIllawarra InstituteHunter InstituteNorth Coast InstituteNorthern Sydney InstituteRiverine InstituteSouth Western Sydney InstituteSydney InstituteWestern InstituteWestern Sydney InstituteBachelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary EducationTechnical and Further Education (TAFE) QueenslandTechnical and Further Education (TAFE) Southern AustraliaTechnical and Further Education (TAFE) TasmaniaDrysdale InstituteAustralian Maritime College TAFEBendigo Regional Institute of Technical and Further Education (TAFE)Box Hill Institute of Technical and Further Education (TAFE)Chisholm InstituteEast Gippsland Institute of Technical and Further Education (TAFE)Central Gippsland Institute of Technical and Further Education (TAFE)Federation TAFEGoulburn Institute of TAFEGoulburn Institute of TADESwinburne University of Technology
Apart from publicly-funded learning institutions, private and non-profit organizations also offer technical and further education training.
General Admission Requirements
Each TAFE-providing institution and course may have specific requirements interested applicants must meet to secure a place. Domestic students may, in some instances, be required to present the following certifications to be eligible: a secondary school exit qualification and a certificate from a level of study prior to the one applied for. Students may also sit for entrance examinations, such as the core skills profiles for adults (cspa) test and special tertiary admissions test (stat).
Required documents
International students interested in applying for placement into a technical and further education (tafe) institution of learning in Australia will typically need the following documents:
International passportAcademic transcripts and certificates, which must be duly certifiedAn Australian visa is required to live and study in the country.A proof of proficiency in English language test certificate. In that respect, interested applicants may present one of the following known tests: International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Pearson Test of English Academic and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)Any other supporting document that may be necessary for meeting institutional and course eligibility and entry requirements.
Top TAFE institutions for International Students
Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE, Melbourne
This institute, also known as the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT, Melbourne) is a multi-campus institution of learning with six campuses spread across different locations in Melbourne. The institute offers study programmes in the fields of agriculture, animal studies, arts, assessment and workplace training, building and construction, beauty, business, child studies, commerce, community studies, computer systems, conservation and land management.
The institute required prospective applicants to possess minimum levels of proficiency in the English language along with an Australian secondary school exit qualification (or an international equivalent). As part of eligibility requirements, candidates present proof of English language proficiency that satisfies set benchmarks. Acceptable tests include IELTS, TOEFL and PTE
TAFE SA Regional, Adelaide
This institute is situated in Adelaide, a city in the southern part of Australia. The institute affords prospective applicants study options in a number of fields. Candidates can choose from the following programme areas: electronics, hospitality, tourism, construction.
TAFE New South Wales
These institutes majors in providing vocational training and education. It is renowned for being one of Australia’s largest providers of technical and further education. The institution boasts of an annual intake of more than four hundred thousand students. It is also home to a sizeable population of international students, who make up more than three thousand of its total student population. International students who are interested in studying at this institute route their applications through an accredited study agent. Interestingly, the institute offers a number of scholarships and funding opportunities as well.
International students interested in undertaking study programmes at the institute are required to present the following documents:
Copies of passport and visa pagesCertified copies of academic transcripts and certificatesProof of English language proficiency (either IELTS or TOEFL)Statement of purpose. This document essentially demonstrates the applicant’s interest in and underlying motivation for applying for placement into a study programme at the institute.Financial documents/statementsApplication fee.
The application window opens twice a year, in February and July.
TAFE South Australia
TAFE South Australia is a leading technical and further education institution of learning with a reputation for a practical approach to teaching. International students applying to this institute get to choose from study options in more than a hundred academic fields. Available fields include nursing, accounting, electronic engineering, business administration, information technology and telecommunications.
International students interested in enrolling for studies at the institution must meet a minimum age requirement of seventeen. This is in addition to holding an international equivalent of an Australian secondary school exit qualification.
The application window typically runs four times a year. Interested applicants can send in applications in January, April, July or October.
International students have the option of routing their application through an accredited agent or directly through the institution’s online portal. Applications sent directly through the institution’s portal attract no application fee.
As part of the application process, the institution requires international students applying for a place to submit the following documents:
Copies of academic transcripts and certificates acquired from previous studies.Proof of English language proficiency ( IELTS or TOEFL)Statement of purposeA copy of curriculum vitae/resumeLetter of recommendationFinancial statements to prove the source of funds and sponsorshipA copy of the applicant’s passport.
A number of scholarship opportunities are available to students seeking admission into the institute. These scholarship opportunities mainly offer coverage for tuition fee expenses.
TAFE Queensland
Another member of the elite category of leading TAFE providers in Australia, TAFE Queensland, is sited in Queensland, Australia. The institution has an excellent pedigree and has earned national and international recognition by way of high rankings and awards.
TAFE Queensland offers a range of courses in general and specific areas of engineering, business, management, media, beauty, tourism, logistics, aviation, agriculture, sports, community services, dentistry, arts, music, etc.
The institution also requires international students applying for a place to submit the following documents:
Copies of academic transcripts and certificates acquired from previous studies.Proof of English language proficiency ( IELTS or TOEFL)Statement of purposeA copy of curriculum vitae/resumeLetter of recommendationA copy of the applicant’s passport.An international equivalent of an Australian secondary school exit qualification.
The institution does not charge an application fee on applications.
In summary, TAFE offers an alternative entry pathway for international students into Australia. Certain TAFE courses also offer direct routes to degree study programmes at an Australian university. Applications for TAFE study programmes are typically done to the institutes and colleges that offer such study options.