Vocational Education and Training (VET) is learning that is directly related to work. VET programs allow students to complete nationally recognised qualifications developed by industry to give them the skills and knowledge they need to work in a particular job; students are able to access qualifications at a Certificate I, II, III, IV or Diploma level. Students who are considering a vocational pathway, or those looking for vocational skills to complement a tertiary education pathway, can undertake VET at school:
Completed VET qualifications at Certificate III or higher may be used for tertiary selection in two ways: as one of the five inputs into a student’s ATAR, and/or as a stand-alone basis for tertiary admission. Each VET qualification level will have a single scaled score that can be included in the ATAR calculation. Some Tertiary Education Institutions may also consider completed VET qualifications (at Certificate III level and higher) as a basis for tertiary admission on their own. For example, the University of the Sunshine Coast currently allocates the following selection ranks to VET qualifications:
Matthew Flinders Anglican College currently offers a limited number of VET courses for students to study as part of their normal timetable on campus. In partnership with an external RTO, students have the option of completing either;
Details of these courses, including costs, are provided via the subject selection page. Students should note that VET courses are completed earlier than General or Applied Syllabus subjects, with the Diploma of Business year and the Certificate II in Engineering Pathways/Certificate III being completed by September of the student’s final year.
Upon completion of these courses, students will have extra study periods (ESP) in their timetables to devote to supervised study and preparation for final examinations.
Students with interests in specific qualifications such as Health, Fitness, Sport and Recreation, Hospitality and Community Services, or in trade-based qualifications such as Plumbing, Electrotechnology, Construction or Automotive, can enrol in a VET course through an external RTO. These courses generally involve the student spending one day per week on campus at TAFE or the Sunshine Coast Technical Trade Training Centre, in lieu of their regular classes at the College.
More information about the TAFE at Schools program can be found here or through the updated 2025 Course Guide, available from the Careers Office. Information about the courses available at the Sunshine Coast Technical Trade Training Centre can be found here.
Please note that many of these courses fill up very quickly, and students need to make some prompt decisions if they intend to enrol. Any enrolment in a VET course through an external provider needs to be individually discussed with the Careers Advisor.
Matthew Flinders Anglican College students can also access school-based apprenticeships or traineeships (SBAT) from Year 10 onwards. Students wishing to undertake an SBAT must individually negotiate their participation in these programs with the Head of Senior School and Careers Advisor.
Students who begin an apprenticeship or traineeship while they are still at school must understand that these are legally binding formal agreements. When students sign these, they are agreeing to particular work and training requirements, as is the host employer. Consult with our Careers Advisor to ensure that you fully understand what is required of you, the school, and the employer in the agreement.
Completion of a SBAT contributes credit to your QCE. A traineeship can generally be completed in anywhere from 12 to 24 months; an apprenticeship generally takes 4 years, so can be started at school and then completed in the years afterwards.
Note: VET and Diploma Courses are not available to international students.
