Your pathway to a career starts here
Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS), also known as TAFE at School, gives Year 10, 11 and 12 students the opportunity to gain real-world skills while still in high school.
Why choose VETDSS?
- Get a head start - Gain nationally recognised qualifications while working towards your WACE.
- Stay engaged - Make school more relevant and exciting through practical, hands-on learning
- Flexible learning - Attend TAFE one to two days per week while continuing your regular school program.
- Career ready - Graduate with job-ready skills or continue your studies at TAFE or university.
Where can you study?
South Metropolitan TAFE offers VETDSS courses across 12 campus locations, with a wide range of industry areas to suit your interests and career goals.
Choosing your career path
VETDSS is the perfect introduction to the workforce. You will gain:
- Hands-on skills in real industry settings
- Insight into workplace expectations
- Build confidence and experience before graduating
This can lead to:
- Employment opportunities
- Further study at TAFE
- Pathways to university
Find courses that match your interests:
Applications for 2027
Ready to take the next step?
Applications for 2027 open mid-2026, alongside the release of the 2027 course guide, which includes full details on courses, campuses and entry requirements.
Tip: Speak with your school’s VET Coordinator early to start planning your pathway.
Following the initial application period, a second round of applications may be offered for students who were not successful in gaining a place, or for courses that still have available spots.
Limited mid-semester start courses may also become available throughout the year, with applications managed directly through schools.
Course Guide and List
See all the details of the available courses and pathways in the latest guide:
- VETDSS 2027 Course Guide - coming soon
Or see a summary of what courses are happening at which campus:
- VETDSS 2027 Course List - coming soon
Current Year 9, 10 and 11 students can apply for VETDSS, with course levels based on their current year:
- Current Year 9 students (entering Year 10 in 2027):
Eligible for Certificate II courses only - Current Year 10 and Year 11 students (entering Year 11 and/or 12 in 2027):
Eligible for Certificate II, III or IV courses
Need help deciding? Speak with your school’s VET Coordinator
To apply, you must:
- Be enrolled in secondary school
- Be completing Year 10, 11 or 12
- Meet the course entry requirements outlined in the course guide
Make your application stand out.
View tips to strengthen your application:
Education Support Courses (Partial Completion)
We are committed to inclusive learning for students of all abilities.
Education support courses are available for students requiring additional support. If classroom assistance is needed, your school must arrange an education assistant to attend TAFE with you.
Applications for the 2027 Education Support programs open in September 2026.
Speak with your school’s VET Coordinator and parent/guardian to check suitability.
Life beyond your VETDSS journey and high school
What happens after VETDSS and high school? Explore your options and where to get further help below.
After VETDSS
Your efforts in vocational training at TAFE while studying at high school will pay off once you finish or decide to leave school. Your nationally accredited VETDSS units provide an excellent starting point for many study pathways at SM TAFE and beyond!
To begin exploring where you can go after VETDSS, find your course listed on the pathways page guides and begin planning your future career!
After high school
You can consider:
- An apprenticeship or traineeship
- A higher-level qualification
- Using TAFE skills to gain employment
- Continuing to upgrade your skills
- Completing TAFE qualifications to gain entry to University
TAFE pre-apprenticeship programs while at school open doors to:
- A full-time paid apprenticeship; or
- Continuing industry studies at TAFE
Jobs and Skills Prospective Student Advisors can advise about further industry prerequisites.
Leaving school to enter TAFE
Do you want to continue studying after leaving high school? Or, would you like to improve your English or numeracy skills for work? There is a range of foundation courses to help bridge the gap between school and work or post-school education.
If you have the required English and mathematics levels, you can go straight into a VET study pathway as soon as you are no longer enrolled in your high school.
Follow the application process for your preferred course to enrol. You need to provide evidence to prove you received permission to leave school to pursue TAFE study.
If you are leaving before you turn 18 years of age, you need to register your parent/guardian’s contact details with us, so we can provide the necessary duty of care to you.
Important information about your enrolment
Before you begin your VETDSS journey, please take the time to review the following key information. These guidelines cover everything from attendance and dress code to work placements and fees. For personalised advice, speak with your school’s VET Coordinator.
Some courses may include work placement and/or excursions. Refer to the course guide for specific requirements.
- School excursion documents
- Workplace Learning Consent Form (170 KB) (Word document)
- Host Employer’s Workplace Learning Agreement Form (173 KB) (Word document)
All required forms must be completed and returned to your lecturer before placement.
VETDSS students are fee-free for:
- Tuition
- Resource fees
- Enrolment fees
However, some courses may require you to purchase:
- Uniforms
- Protective equipment (PPE)
- Textbooks
- Trade tools
These are industry-relevant items that you will keep after completing your course.
Attendance is essential to your success.
- Attendance is recorded and shared with your school
- Ongoing non-attendance may result in withdrawal
- Notify your lecturer if you are unable to attend
You are not required to wear your school uniform to TAFE.
However, you must:
- Dress appropriately for your course
- Wear required protective clothing and equipment
This ensures:
- Workplace readiness
- Compliance with Work Health and Safety (WHS) requirements
Failure to wear required PPE may result in exclusion from class and notification to your school.