VET courses and students with disability

Earning industry-recognised qualifications

Students can take Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses while at school. VET courses give them industry-recognised vocational qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

VET courses follow nationally approved Training Packages or accredited courses. They have set qualifications and skills. 

All students, including those with disability, can study VET courses. Students can study VET courses in Stage 5 or Stage 6. 

Courses include either:

• Industry Curriculum Frameworks (Stage 6)
• VET Board Endorsed Courses (Stage 5 and Stage 6)

To succeed in VET, students with disability should be supported through:

• collaborative curriculum planning
• appropriate learning and assessment strategies
• the option to access support for work placement
• collaboration between schools and colleges, students, parents, teachers, employers and others in the community.

VET courses and collaborative curriculum planning

Using collaborative curriculum planning, work together to find the best course options for a student with disability.

By working together, you can help the student to decide on their pattern of study for the Record of School Achievement (RoSA) or Higher School Certificate (HSC). Students with disability can study either: 

• any VET course under regular course arrangements
• selected units of competency from a VET course. Each VET syllabus or course description lists the units. Choosing the right units of competency helps students work towards an AQF VET Certificate and get ready for employment. When selecting units of competency, choose core or mandatory units as a priority.

There are no Stage 6 Life Skills VET courses.

During collaborative curriculum planning, consider: 

• which industry area would be the best choice for the student
• the student’s interest in and knowledge of, the proposed industry area
• the suitability of the course
• the selection of appropriate units of competency
• adjustments the student will need to access course work and show competency
• mandatory work placement requirements.

After deciding that a student will take a VET course, consider the: 

• beginner-level skills and jobs the student could train for
• short-term outcomes that the student could achieve
• post-school opportunities including further training
• availability and type of employment in the student's geographical area.

Work placement

All students, including students with disability, must complete mandatory work placement requirements.

This should be considered when discussing VET course options.

Assessment

All VET students, including students with disability, follow the same assessment requirements.

Reasonable adjustments

Students with disability may need reasonable adjustments to learn skills and knowledge to industry standard. This includes adjustments in class and at work. Adjustments depend on a student’s individual needs and abilities. 

Where adjustments to delivery and assessment are made, the industry competency standards need to be met. You will find these standards in the relevant Training Package or accredited course.

Credentials and future pathways

The following information outlines the qualifications, credentials and future pathways available for VET students, including students with disability.

AQF VET qualifications

All students must meet the same rules of eligibility for an AQF VET qualification. This includes students with disability. To achieve a qualification, students must meet the assessment requirements of the Training Package or accredited course. A qualified assessor must conduct the assessment.

Students who meet the requirements for an AQF VET qualification will receive:

• the relevant Certificate
• a Transcript of Competencies Achieved.

Students who complete part of a qualification (one or more units of competency) will get a Statement of Attainment. This lists all units of competency they have achieved towards the qualification.

If a student completes part of a unit of competency, it is recorded in a competency record. This is not a formal certificate, but it shows the elements of competency they have successfully demonstrated.

Record of School Achievement (RoSA) or Higher School Certificate (HSC)

Satisfactory completion of a VET course will be listed on the RoSA or HSC Record of Achievement. The Record of Achievement will refer to separate vocational documentation (Certificate or Statement of Attainment).

Further VET study

Stage 5 and Stage 6 VET courses are entry-level courses and can lead to higher qualifications. After leaving school, students can keep training to finish a VET qualification or begin a new one.