Short courses can lead you into your preferred study pathway.

These days there are short courses in almost every topic imaginable!

Many people participate in short courses purely for enjoyment or stimulation, but short courses can also assist you to pathway into another course or even land a new job.

You can chose a short course (such as Introduction to Computers etc) to brush up your skills for work.

For more support in this area , check out the A-Z Resources.

Learn Local organisations offer courses with direct pathways into Certificate and Diploma courses at Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).

They also specialise in helping students gain confidence and the fundamental skills for further training opportunities and employment.

There’s a government registered Learn Local in your community that can help you return to study, improve your reading, writing and maths skills, gain a qualification, get a job or learn something new.

Learn Locals are friendly and welcoming, with qualified teachers who are focussed on helping you succeed.

Learn Local organisations also offer other learning support services such as career advice, financial assistance, childcare facilities and disability support services.

To find out more about these services, contact a Learn Local organisation in your community.

A traineeship is a great way to learn on the job, gain a qualification and get paid at the same time.

Traineeships are usually not as long as apprenticeships and the conditions are a little different.

The following conditions apply to traineeships:

• An employer agrees to employ and support you for the term of the traineeship, and you agree to follow instruction and attend structured training
• If the business is sold, the new employer does not have to keep you on as a trainee
• Either party may cancel the contract by signing a cancellation form or letter stating the date of cancellation. Mutual agreement is not required.

An apprenticeship is a great way to get hands-on practical skills while you are studying and working.

An apprenticeship is a longer commitment than a traineeship and has strict conditions between the employer and the employee.

The duration of an apprenticeship is 3-4 years depending on the industry area.

The following conditions apply to apprenticeships:

•  An employer agrees to employ you for the term of the apprenticeship and to support you in your training for that period of time, and you agree to follow instruction and attend off-the-job and/or workplace-based training
• If your employer sells the business during your apprenticeship, the new employer must continue with the training contract
• Once the probationary period of the training contract has passed, all parties must agree in order for the contract to be cancelled.
• The duration of an apprenticeship will increase if you are doing the apprenticeship part-time or as a school-based Apprenticeship.

For further information about traineeships, check out the A-Z Resources.

Tertiary and Further Education (TAFE), now called Vocational Education, allows you to study Certificate courses. These courses can help you to secure a job, earn more money or set up your own business, or can provide pathways into university.

Australian Qualifications Framework

Certificate I

Certificate II

Certificate III

Certificate IV

Diploma

Advanced Diploma & Associate Degrees

Bachelor Degree

Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate & Graduate Diploma

Masters Degree

Doctoral Degree

Studying at university involves a lot of reading, writing and academic work, as well as practical applications of your new knowledge.

There are two kinds of qualifications that you can study at university.

Degrees (or undergraduate courses)

The first level of a course in higher education.

Post-graduate courses

Further study that you do at university on a specific subject after you’ve completed your degree. Honours degrees, Masters degrees and PhDs are all examples of post-graduate study.