Discover your training options
There are a range of training options available to suit your needs. Each have outcomes that can get you qualified to work in a number of industries and occupations.
Are you ready to begin your career right now?
Do you want to earn money, gain independence and learn practical skills in a real workplace?
You can start working now through an apprenticeship or traineeship. You’ll get hands on experience while studying a nationally recognised qualification. All you need to do is find an employer to take you on.
Here are some places to start:
- Check job search sites
- Search this register of employers who are pre-approved to hire apprentices or trainees
- Talk to businesses in your area
- Get in touch with a Group Training Organisation - they'll employ you and place you with a host business.
If you're still at school, speak to your VET coordinator to find out what training you can start now.
You can start training for your career while you’re still at school. VET supports students to develop and apply skills and knowledge for work and their future pathway, and it can all count towards the SACE.
Make an appointment to talk to your career counsellor or VET coordinator to find out how you can start today.
Common questions to get started
Before you get underway with your training, here are some helpful things to consider.
If you want to study a course that will give you skills South Australian employers need – jobs with a shortage of people or jobs in new industries that are developing – you may be able to pay reduced course fees. This is called subsidised training.
If your training is subsidised, the South Australian Government pays part of your course fees for you. The money goes straight to your training provider, so you can focus on your training.
The course search will tell you if the course you're interested in is subsidised. All training providers will have the course fees on their websites to let you know how much the course will cost. The course fee covers the cost of course delivery, including items that are needed as part of the teaching and assessment.
Training providers will confirm whether you can access subsidised training, but we've put together an eligibility checker to give you an idea of what to expect.
You get to choose who delivers your training.
A wide range of public and private training providers – like TAFE, adult and community education providers, group training companies, private training companies and high schools – can deliver subsidised training.
Providers are often called RTOs (Registered Training Organisations). There are 1,000's of training providers in South Australia.
The Course Search will tell you whether the training provider you’re interested in delivers subsidised training.
The course
- How long is the course?
- When does the course start?
- Can I study part-time?
- Which elective units can I study?
The costs
- Am I eligible for subsidised training?
- Can you give me a breakdown of tuition fees and incidental expenses? How much will I have to pay?
- What is your refund policy?
Studying
- How is the training run? Will it be in a classroom, workshop, work placement, online or a combination?
- How many hours per week will I need to study? How much independent study/ homework, will I need to do?
- How will I be assessed? Exams, assignments, presentations, class participation?
Support
- Can you help me with my reading, writing or maths if I need help?
- Do you have a library or computer lab I can use?
- Is there a work experience requirement? If yes, will you help find a suitable placement?
If you have any questions before signing on with a provider, you can chat with us online now or call us on 1800 673 097.
You'll find training providers listed against each course on this site.
Do you want to start vocational education, but need help with your reading, writing and maths? There are courses to help you prepare.
All training providers will conduct a short assessment before you enrol in a training course. If you need to develop your foundation skills – reading, writing, speaking, maths, computer skills, workplace skills – your training provider will let you know.
If you’re eligible for subsidised training, you may be able to do foundation skills courses and bridging units for free or at a reduced price.
Bridging units help cover gaps in your existing knowledge or skills to make sure you don’t fall behind.
If you’re not ready to talk to a training provider yet, an Adult and Community Education (ACE) course may be right for you.
ACE courses are an alternative to traditional formal learning. They are designed to help you connect with your community and improve your learning skills. They can be a first step towards other training and education opportunities.
Many VET qualifications provide a pathway to university.
Some qualifications at a Certificate III or higher may help you gain entry or transfer into selected university degrees, even if you didn’t complete Year 12. You might even get credit for what you’ve already learned.
Some training providers also have formal university entry pathways. To find out if the VET course you’re interested in can lead to a degree, speak to your training provider or university.
- Visit Flinders University
- Visit University of Adelaide
- Visit University of South Australia