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: Earn nationally recognised qualifications while completing your WACE.
- Stay engaged: Make school more relevant and exciting by learning practical skills.
- Flexible learning: Attend TAFE one to two days a week and continue your regular school program the rest of the time.
- Career ready: Graduate with job-ready skills or continue your studies at TAFE or university.
Where can you study?
SM TAFE offers VETDSS courses across 12 campus locations, covering a wide range of industries 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
Success in the program can lead to:
- Immediate employment
- Further study in higher-level TAFE qualifications
- Pathways to university
Find courses that match your interests:
Select your course and apply
Applications for 2026 full-year VETDSS courses open on Monday 30 June 2025 and close at Friday 29 August 2025.
Course Guide and List
See all the details of the available courses and pathways in the latest guide:
VETDSS 2026 COURSE GUIDE (11 MB) (PDF document - opens in a new tab)
Or see a summary of what courses are happening at which campus:
VETDSS 2026 Course List (375 KB) (PDF document - opens in a new tab)
Speak with your school’s VET Coordinator to apply. They’ll help guide you through the application process with SM TAFE.
To apply, follow the instructions in the relevant guide below.
Current Students
For students currently enrolled and studying through VETDSS with an active Office 365 account.
Existing Students
For students who have previously studied or completed a Career Taster or Try a Trade program at SM TAFE, but are not currently enrolled or have previously applied but did not enrol.
New Students
For students applying to VETDSS for the first time.
Need help? Contact your school’s VET Coordinator for support in completing your application.
Read the Course Application Troubleshooting Guide (432 KB) (PDF document) to solve common issues you may encounter.
Current Year 9, 10 and 11 students are eligible to apply for VETDSS courses, with specific course level options based on your current year level:
- Current Year 9 students (applying to study in Year 10): eligible to apply for Certificate II level courses only.
- Current Year 10 and Year 11 students (applying to study in Year 11 and/or 12): eligible to apply for Certificate II, Certificate III, or Certificate IV level courses.
Need help deciding? Contact your school’s VET Coordinator for guidance on course selection and eligibility.
It is now more important than ever to ensure your application is competitive. Please click on the link to view some recommendations.
Education Support Courses (Partial Completion)
We’re committed to providing inclusive learning environments for students of all abilities.
SM TAFE offers education support courses suitable for students who require additional learning support. However, if you need classroom support at school, your school is expected to arrange for an education assistant to accompany you during your TAFE classes.
Applications for 2026 Education Support programs (partial completion) open on 1 September 2025 and close on 31 October 2025.
For more details, refer to the "Education Support Courses" section in the VETDSS 2026 Course Guide (11 MB) (PDF document) and the VETDSS 2026 Course List (375 KB) (PDF document).
Unsure about your suitability? Please speak with your school’s VET Coordinator and your parent or guardian to discuss your options.
CTF Construction Careers Scholarship Program
Please note: This program is separate from VETDSS applications through TAFE.
If you're a Year 11 or 12 student interested in a career in the building and construction industry, the Construction Training Fund (CTF) offers a Construction Careers Scholarship Program. This includes a fully funded pre-apprenticeship to help you get started in the trades.
How to apply
You must apply directly through the CTF, not through the TAFE VETDSS application process.
Visit the CTF Construction Careers Scholarship Program page to learn more and register your interest.
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(opens in a new tab) 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 involve work practice/experience and/or excursions to support the learning program. Refer to the course guide for further information on work placement/experience hours and excursion details for each course.
Documents relevant to excursions can be found on our School excursion documents page. Remember to bookmark this page!
Students enrolled in VETDSS courses with mandatory work placements must have their parents complete and sign a "Workplace Learning Consent Form", while their host employer must complete and sign the "Workplace Learning Agreement Form". It is the students' responsibility to return the completed and signed forms to their lecturer promptly to begin the work placement as scheduled.
- Workplace Learning Consent Form (170 KB) (Word document)
- Host Employer’s Workplace Learning Agreement Form (173 KB) (Word document)
Secondary school students undertaking VETDSS courses are exempt from tuition, resource and enrolment fees. However, your chosen course may require you to purchase a uniform, protective equipment, textbooks or trade equipment/tools. These items are industry relevant and for you to keep and use after you have graduated. Your course information in the course guide details the equipment and uniform items required for your first day.
You are responsible for ensuring you attend all scheduled classes. Attendance is recorded, and any absences are reported to your school. Your VET coordinator will be contacted to discuss the appropriateness of your continuing study if you repeatedly do not attend.
You are required to inform your lecturer in advance if you will be absent from any scheduled classes. Poor attendance may mean withdrawal from the course.
You are not required to wear your school uniform to VETDSS classes but are expected to dress appropriately. Where special or protective clothing and/or footwear is required, it must be worn without exception. This prepares you for dress for the industry, and in the cases of workshops, is a legislated Work, Health and Safety requirement.
If you forget to bring your protective clothing, you will be excluded from the campus workshops/classes and your school informed.