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Vocational Education and Training

How is Vocational Education included in the HSC?

Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses have an important role in the HSC. One-third of students studying for their HSC undertake a VET course, which is reported on their Record of Achievement.

VET Courses are either Board Developed Courses, which may contribute to the calculation of a UAI, or Board Endorsed Courses.

There are 11 Industry Curriculum Frameworks, encompassing a range of Board Developed Courses, which allow students to gain Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificates, usually at Certificate II level. Students who complete a 240 hour course in one of the Industry Curriculum Frameworks and sit for the HSC exam may have the course included in the calculation of their Universities Admission Index. These courses all involve mandatory work placement which is assessed as part of HSC requirements. Students can use part-time work in industry towards their workplace requirement and may also undertake these courses as part of a traineeship.

The 11 VET Industry Curriculum Frameworks are:

• Automotive
  • The purpose of this course is to enable students to acquire underpinning knowledge and skills related to work, employment and further training in the automotive industry.
• Business Services
  • This course provides students with basic skills and knowledge as preparation for entry-level employment in an office environment.
• Construction
  • The purpose of this course is to provide students with an opportunity to develop basic knowledge and skills in the general construction industry.
• Electrotechnology
  • This course provides students with the underpinning knowledge and skills related to work, employment and further training in the electrotechnology industry.
• Entertainment Industry
  • Students are given the opportunity to develop basic knowledge and skills for live production, theatre and events industries.
• Hospitality
  • Students are provided with basic skills and knowledge as preparation for entry-level employment in a hospitality environment.
• Information Technology
  • The purpose of this course is to give students an opportunity to develop competencies associated with the use and support of desktop applications relevant to an information technology setting.
• Metal and Engineering
  • This course provides foundation knowledge and introductory skills that are broadly applicable in the metal, engineering and related service industries. The course is designed to provide students with opportunities to perform entry level functions within the industry.
• Primary Industries
  • Students should gain general skills and knowledge as part of their preparation for entry-level employment in a primary industries environment.
• Retail
  • This course provides students with basic skills and knowledge as preparation for entry-level employment in the retail industry.
• Tourism
  • Students should acquire basic skills and knowledge as preparation for entry-level employment in a tourism environment.

HSC students can also study a range of Board Endorsed VET Courses in many other industry areas. Some of these are locally designed VET courses delivered by schools, but many are delivered by TAFE.

How is Vocational Education included in the School Certificate?

Commencing in 2009, a limited range of School Certificate VET courses will be available for study in Years 9-10 (Stage 5) that lead to a Certificate I AQF VET qualification. These courses can count towards the School Certificate and, like HSC VET courses, they are drawn from national industry training packages and lead to Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) VET qualifications. Satisfactory completion of the 100-hour elective Board Endorsed VET Courses will be reported on the student's School Certificate Record of Achievement.

Also commencing in 2009, students in Stage 5 may undertake early commencement of HSC VET courses. Eligible students may complete a minimum 120-hour HSC VET course while continuing to complete requirements for the School Certificate. Completed units of credit will count towards the Higher School Certificate and appear on the student's cumulative HSC Record of Achievement. Students in Stage 5 who commence a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship will also undertake early commencement of HSC (Stage 6) VET courses.

More information on accessing VET courses in Stage 5 is located in the Vocational education section of this website.