Vocational study

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Vocational study

Vocational study, sometimes known as TAFE, is a great way to kick start your career. Learn by doing with hands-on training and get job-ready sooner.

Vocational study

Vocational study, sometimes known as TAFE, is a great way to kick start your career. Learn by doing with hands-on training and get job-ready sooner.

What would you like to study?

With a diverse range of certificates, diplomas and advanced diplomas, it's never been easier to find the right fit for you.

Changes to Free TAFE

Free TAFE numbers are now capped with limited places and fee support available in certain courses. Please enquire with the university to apply and learn more about funding availability and eligibility.

Is vocational study the same as TAFE?

At RMIT, it is! TAFE (Technical and Further Education) refers to nationally accredited courses in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector. TAFE courses are offered by government and registered training organisations, which includes RMIT University. 

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Certificates I–IV

These technical qualifications are hands-on courses, teaching job specific skills over six to 12 months. A great place to start if you’re new to study.
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Diplomas and advanced diplomas

Get the specialised knowledge you need to work in skilled or paraprofessional areas. These programs normally take one to two years of full-time study.
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Apprenticeships and traineeships

Apprenticeships and traineeships combine training and employment, normally over three to four years. Learn on the job and earn money while studying.
Aaron Farrugia, Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media
What's next... for Aaron Farrugia
From an audiovisual diploma to a global career, Aaron is building his cinematography resume.
Aaron's story
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Get hands on

Learn while using industry-grade equipment, software and tools relevant to the job you want. Take part in work experience, placements and industry projects.
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Get results

RMIT is ranked 8th in Australia for graduate employability.* Over 70% of our vocational study students find employment within six months of graduating.
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Get job ready

RMIT has been training vocational students for over 130 years. Our teachers are industry practitioners with years of experience and specialised expertise

* 2019 QS Graduate Employability rankings

Didn't get the ATAR you needed?

Study pathways provide opportunities for you to transfer between RMIT courses. There's often more than one path to the degree you want, so don’t worry if you don’t meet all the entry criteria at first.

Find your pathway

Free TAFE for priority courses

The Victorian State Government is covering the cost of 40 priority courses and 18 pre-apprenticeship courses at institutions that offer TAFE courses.

Fee finder

So you’ve picked what course you want to study but want to find out how much you’ll pay to get started? Get an estimate of fees for your vocational education program.

Apprenticeships at RMIT

Through apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships, you’ll get the training and hands-on experience you need to work with electrical and instrumentation, plumbing, refrigeration and air-conditioning.

Pressure injury care

From Allied Health Assistance to Laboratory Technology, there is growing demand for skilled workers in the health sector. Elizabeth Jones is one graduate with RMIT Know-How in nursing, and she’s ready to kick off her career.

End of year exhibitions

RMIT is the top university for design in the Southern Hemisphere. See how our students in the Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts and undergraduate Design prepare for their final exhibitions.

Frequently asked questions

Here's some answers to the most popular vocational study questions to help you make the next step.

One important difference between TAFE courses and traditional university degrees is that TAFE adheres to the VET (Vocational Education and Training) approach, which means that learning is more practical in nature.

If you like to be hands-on and practical – and prefer a supportive learning environment – then vocational study has you covered. But if you like to deep dive into research and enjoy independent learning, then a university degree would probably be more your style. 

University degrees will generally explore more theory in classes, and less hours on campus. Vocational study involves more face-to-face class time and a focus on gaining specific skills. 

How much you’ll pay will depend on whether you’re offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee paying place.

You will be offered a government-subsidised place if you meet the eligibility criteria based on your citizenship, age and educational history. You must also live in Victoria during your studies.

If you don’t meet the criteria for a government-subsidised place, you’ll be offered a full-fee place.

Find your fee

The best and quickest way to check your fee amount is to enter the program code of your preferred course into the RMIT fee finder. If you don’t know what the program code is - you can find this code on the RMIT program’s webpage under the ‘Details’ section.  

Do you offer a payment plan or loans?

The Australian Government provides financial assistance in the form of VET Student Loans for eligible students enrolling in eligible courses. 

You can browse an online list of RMIT courses that are eligible for a VET Student Loans. 

More information about vocational study fees.

The great thing about vocational study is that many courses do not have difficult academic requirements - sometimes none at all!

The Admissions section on each course page details the entry requirements relating to prerequisites and selection tasks for submission, if relevant.

What if I don’t meet the entry requirements for the course I want to study?

There's often more than one way to get into a degree so don’t worry if you don’t meet all the criteria at first. Study pathways provide opportunities for you to transfer from one course to another based on your previous educational experience. 

RMIT also offers pre-university study that allows you to develop academic skills,improve your English or gain the confidence to study a university course.

RMIT recognises prior learning, so if you want to improve your current knowledge or skill level, you don’t necessarily have to start at certificate to finally walk away with an advanced diploma. Being acknowledged for previous study may reduce the duration of your course and save you money.

When you apply you will be asked to note previous study which will be considered with your application. Once you’ve been made an offer you will need to fill out a credit application form and it will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. 

Some certificates and diplomas allow you to earn credit, or guaranteed entry into a degree at a later stage. There are a number of recognised pathway options so check your course or interest area to see what's offered.

Every course is different, with some having classes in the day-time, evening or intensively delivered workshops over the weekend. 

The timetable for our courses are not be finalised until applications have closed. However, as a student you will be able to access and manage your timetable by logging into the RMIT myTimetable system to select your classes.

Find more information about timetabling at RMIT. 

At RMIT University we have a wide range of jobs and career resources to help you build your future career:  

  • Free Resume and Cover Letter reviews
  • Help to find job opportunities 
  • Careers workshops and events
  • Booking in a Careers Consultation
  • Learn more about job ready programs such as Future Edge, Industry Mentoring and Jobs on Campus

No matter what your careers question might be, you can drop in and see our Job Shop Team. 

Please read the RMIT University – Online Service Standards (PDF) to find out more. 

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Acknowledgement of country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nations on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

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