Your pathway to a career starts here
What is VETDSS?
VET Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS) allows secondary school students to complete vocational education and training as part of their Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE). These courses provide students with the opportunity to develop practical skills, gain industry knowledge, and experience real-world learning environments while still at school.
VETDSS courses are designed to support students in exploring career pathways and preparing for future study, apprenticeships, traineeships, or employment opportunities. Successful completion of a VETDSS course may also contribute credit towards further nationally recognised qualifications.
Why choose VETDSS?
Students who participate in VETDSS can:
- Gain a nationally recognised VET qualification while completing their WACE
- Develop practical, industry-specific skills and knowledge
- Build confidence and gain valuable workplace experience
- Explore career pathways and future study opportunities
- Attend a South Metropolitan TAFE campus one or two days per week
- Learn from experienced industry professionals
- Get a head start on their future careers
Where can you study?
South Metropolitan TAFE offers VETDSS courses across 12 campus locations, covering a wide range of industries to suit different interests, strengths, and career goals.
Whether you're interested in health, trades, technology, hospitality, creative industries, or emerging industries, there's a pathway for you.
Choosing your career path
VETDSS is a great way to explore future career options while you're still at school.
Through VETDSS, students can:
- Learn practical, industry-specific skills in a hands-on learning environment
- Gain valuable insight into workplace expectations and industry practices
- Build confidence and develop skills that support future study and employment opportunities
- Explore career pathways before leaving school
Successful completion of a VETDSS course may lead to:
- Employment opportunities across a range of industries
- Further study through higher-level TAFE qualifications
- Apprenticeships and traineeships
- Pathways to university and other tertiary education opportunities
Find a course that matches your interests
South Metropolitan TAFE offers a wide range of VETDSS courses across multiple industry areas.
Explore the available options and discover a pathway that matches your interests and career goals.
2027 Applications now open
Applications for 2027 full-year VETDSS courses open on Monday, 22 June 2026 and close on Friday, 21 August 2026.
2027 Course Guide
Explore available courses and career pathways in our latest 2027 Course Guide.
- Download the 2027 Course Guide (12 MB) (PDF document)
- Download the 2027 Course List Summary (327 KB) (PDF document)
Important: Before applying, please review the eligibility requirements and important application information outlined on pages 6 and 7 of the Course Guide. These pages contain information about student eligibility, funding requirements, and the application process.
How to Apply
To apply, speak with your school's VET Coordinator. They will guide you through the application process and assist you with submitting your application to South Metropolitan TAFE.
Please refer to the information below for application instructions based on your student status.
Current students
For students who are currently enrolled and studying in a South Metropolitan TAFE VETDSS course and have an active Office 365 account.
Use these instructions if you are a current South Metropolitan TAFE VETDSS student applying for a 2027 course and have an active Office 365 account.
Application link for current students (opens in a new tab)
Existing students
For students who have previously studied or completed a Career Taster or Try a Trade program with South Metropolitan TAFE, or who have previously applied for a course but did not enrol.
Use these instructions if you have previously participated in a South Metropolitan TAFE Career Taster or Try a Trade program, or have previously applied for a VETDSS course but did not proceed with enrolment.
Application link for existing students(opens in a new tab)
New students
For students applying to a South Metropolitan TAFE VETDSS course for the first time.
Use these instructions if you are applying for a South Metropolitan TAFE VETDSS course for the first time and do not currently have a South Metropolitan TAFE student account.
Application link for new students (opens in a new tab)
Need help?
If you have previously studied with South Metropolitan TAFE and require your student ID number, please email vetdss@smtafe.wa.edu.au and include your full name and date of birth.
For application support, please contact your school's VET Coordinator.
Some VETDSS courses are highly competitive and receive a large number of applications for limited places. A strong application can improve your chances of selection by demonstrating your interest, commitment and suitability for your chosen course.
Want to improve your application?
View our tips and recommendations to help strengthen your application.
If you need assistance with your application, please speak with your school's VET Coordinator.
Education Support courses (partial completion)
We are committed to providing inclusive learning opportunities for students of all abilities.
South Metropolitan TAFE offers Education Support courses designed for students who require additional learning support.
Where a student requires classroom support at school, it is expected that the school will arrange for an education assistant to accompany the student during their TAFE classes, where appropriate.
2027 Education Support applications
Applications for 2027 Education Support programs (partial completion) open on 24 August 2026 and close on 25 September 2026. For more information, please refer to the Education Support Courses section of the 2027 VETDSS Course Guide.
Unsure about your suitability?
Students, parents and guardians are encouraged to speak with their school's VET Coordinator to discuss course suitability, support requirements and available options.
Before you apply for VETDSS
Before you apply for a VETDSS course, please take the time to review the information below. If you receive and accept an offer, these requirements will apply to your participation in the program. They cover key areas including attendance, dress requirements, work placements, fees and student responsibilities.
For more detailed information about attendance, dress requirements, work placements, fees, student responsibilities, insurance and liability cover, please refer to the VETDSS Course Guide.
For personalised advice or assistance, please speak with your school's VET Coordinator.
Some courses may include work placement, work experience and/or excursions as part of the learning program. Please refer to the Course Guide for each course's specific requirements and to Page 7 for general information about work placement arrangements, student responsibilities, insurance and liability cover.
Where work placement is required, all relevant forms must be completed and returned to your lecturer prior to commencing placement. Students should speak with their TAFE lecturer regarding any course-specific work placement requirements.
Related documents
Students undertaking VETDSS courses as part of their secondary education who meet the eligibility requirements are exempt from:
- Tuition fees
- Resource fees
- Enrolment fees
Depending on the course, students may still be required to purchase:
- Uniforms
- Protective clothing or equipment (PPE)
- Textbooks or learning materials
- Other course-specific resources
Any additional course costs will be outlined in the relevant course information.
Regular attendance is essential for success in your course.
- Students are responsible for arranging their own transport to and from their South Metropolitan TAFE campus.
- Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes.
- Attendance is monitored, and absences are reported to the student's school.
- Ongoing absences may affect a student's ability to continue in their course.
- If you are unable to attend class, you must notify your lecturer before the scheduled class time.
- Students are still required to attend TAFE classes on school pupil-free days if classes are scheduled.
Students are not required to wear their school uniform while attending South Metropolitan TAFE campuses and are expected to dress appropriately at all times.
Some courses require students to wear protective clothing, footwear, or personal protective equipment (PPE). These items must be worn as directed.
Students who do not bring the required protective clothing or PPE may not be permitted to participate in practical classes or workshops, and their school may be notified.
Students should speak with their TAFE lecturer for further information about course-specific requirements.
CTF Construction Careers Scholarship Program
Please note: This program is separate from the South Metropolitan TAFE VETDSS application process.
If you're a Year 11 or Year 12 student in 2027 interested in a career in the building and construction industry, the Construction Training Fund (CTF) offers the Construction Careers Scholarship Program. This includes a fully funded pre-apprenticeship designed to help students take the first step towards a career in the trades.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted directly through the Construction Training Fund (CTF) and not through the South Metropolitan TAFE VETDSS application process.
Life beyond your VETDSS journey and high school
Discover what comes next, explore your future pathways and find support to help guide your next steps.
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.