Vocational study

Vocational study

Applications for certificates and diplomas are now open for Semester 1 2024. New skills, new opportunities and hands-on experience await at RMIT.

Applications for certificates and diplomas are now open for Semester 1 2024. New skills, new opportunities and hands-on experience await at RMIT.

What would you like to study?

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

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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. 

Certificates I – IV

Pick up job-specific skills in just 6 - 12 months with these technical qualifications. A great place to start gaining practical knowledge in your field.

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.

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.

Learn more

Free TAFE courses

Upskill or retrain without the cost. Apply now to secure a limited place in a hands-on, Melbourne-based TAFE course. 

Discover your options

Study now, pay later

Australia’s VET Student Loans and Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) provides loans to students studying approved courses. 

Information about fees

Campus tours

Take a tour of one of our Melbourne campuses and get a look at some our hands-on and industry-engaged facilities. 

Book a tour

Stay updated on RMIT’s TAFE courses

Keep in touch with us to find out about hands-on study options, campus life and virtual events.





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Understanding pathways

RMIT's flexible pathways can help you move through different levels of study to reach the qualification you're aiming for.

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Five reasons to study a certificate or diploma at RMIT

Considering upskilling or reskilling? Here are five reasons why a TAFE course (also known as vocational education) could be perfect for you.

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Considering Free TAFE? Hear from these recent graduates

We caught up with three graduates to chat about their experience studying Free TAFE courses at RMIT, and how their study gave them the tools to achieve their career goals.

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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

Frequently asked questions

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

Yes! Students who are studying at another institution, TAFE or university can apply to study at RMIT and may be eligible to receive credit for your previous study.

Find out more about How to Transfer to RMIT.

Semester 1, 2024 

RMIT’s Melbourne TAFE courses are open for direct application now!  

Applications will be accepted for each course until all places are filled, so ensure you apply as early as possible for your application to be considered. Late applications may result in a delayed class commencement. However, some courses have timely close dates that you will need to submit your application by. 

Semester 2, 2024 (Midyear)   

RMIT’s Melbourne TAFE courses open for application in mid-2024. Keep an eye out for the exact date when it’s confirmed in early 2024.   

 

Steps to apply 

Follow these steps to apply for a certificate, diploma or advanced diploma: 

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 practical – and prefer supported learning  – 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. 

Alternatively, you can start with a vocational course and transfer to a bachelor or associate degree. As RMIT is one of six dual-sector universities in Australia, we offer recognised pathway options that give you the opportunity to study vocational courses that lead on to undergraduate study if you decide you want to explore further study.

How much you’ll pay will depend on whether you’re offered a Victorian Government subsidised place (such as Free TAFE or JobTrainer) 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 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 our flexible learning options classes are available during the day, evening and weekends.

The timetable for our courses are not being 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 resumé and cover letter reviews
  • Help to find job opportunities 
  • Careers workshops and events
  • Careers consultations and advice
  • Booking in a Careers Consultation
  • Learn more about job ready programs such as Future Edge, Industry Mentoring and Jobs on Campus

The RMIT Skills and Jobs Centre and the RMIT Job Shop have joined forces to offer a free careers service that caters to the needs of Vocational Education (VE) students.

For more information, please visit our Vocational Education Careers Support page.

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

On a full-time study load, our vocational education programs can range from six months to two years, depending on the level of study.  

  • Certificates (I-IV) - 6 months to 1 year (excluding apprenticeships)
  • Diplomas - 1-2 years
  • Advanced diploma – 1-2 years

For students who wish to study full-time in a certificate, diploma or advanced diploma, classes generally run 3-4 days per week, and may include 20+ hours of classes weekly.

Part-time study requires roughly half the amount in class, which provides you with further flexibility to meet other commitments in your life.

 

Our vocational study consists of the following study levels: certificates (I-IV), diplomas, and advanced diplomas. We also have apprenticeship programs and traineeships available.

RMIT offers apprenticeships and traineeships at the certificate and diploma level of study, and across a range of fields. These include building and construction, clothing and textiles, social science, electronic and communications engineering, trades and technology, and health services.

For more information, please visit our apprenticeship and traineeship programs page.

How to apply for an apprenticeship and traineeship program

To undertake a Victorian apprenticeship or traineeship, you must have a job in the industry, register with an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network Provider (Apprenticeship Network) and nominate RMIT as your preferred Registered Training Organisation (RTO). We'll contact you as soon as we're notified by the Apprenticeship Network.

Here at RMIT, we have a range of partnerships with leading organisations to make sure your course is designed to give you knowledge and practical skills that are relevant and connected to the needs of your industry.

Some courses will help you strengthen your industry connections through Work-Integrated Learning, ranging from working on real or simulated industry projects, to undergoing practical placements. You can also participate in internships, find work, and volunteer to build your work experience.

For more information, please visit our Jobs, careers and industry experiences page.

RMIT’s Melbourne TAFE courses are delivered either completely online, or completely on campus. Where your course has practical components, the expectation is that this will be completed on campus to ensure you get the most out of your course.  

You can find more information on how the program is delivered by having a browse of the ‘How you will learn’ section on your course page. 

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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 Nation 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 - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

More information
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation 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.

More information