Vocational Education & Training

VET Overview

Students in Years 10–12 can participate in vocational education as part of their secondary schooling. The Department for Education has approved a range of vocational education courses that align with South Australia’s key growth industries. These are delivered through Flexible Industry Programs (FIPs).

In South Australia, the industries with the highest employment growth include:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance
  • Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
  • Public Administration and Safety
  • Construction
  • Education and Training

Flexible Industry Programs are designed to prepare students for entry-level employment and support pathways into school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.

Year 10 students can access Stackable VET Courses and School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships. Examples include Certificate I courses, White Card, and First Aid.

Year 11 and 12 students can access Certificate II and III courses, as well as School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships.

What can be studied?

Adelaide Botanic High School offers the SIT20421 Certificate II in Cookery which is delivered by Michelin trained Emma McCaskill. The semester-long course is open to Year 11 and 12students who are interested in a career in food and hospitality.

Adelaide Botanic High School students also have access to the following VET courses hosted by schools within the East Adelaide Secondary Vocational Alliance.

  • Certificate III Allied Health Assistance
  • Certificate III in Screen and Media – VFX
  • Certificate III in Screen and Media – Virtual Reality and Game Design
  • Certificate II Automotive Servicing Technology
  • Aviation Studies (Stage 1 and 2)
  • Certificate II in Construction
  • Certificate II in Electrotechnology
  • Cyber Security Micro Credentials
  • Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
  • Certificate II in Engineering
  • Fitness – Advanced Based Programs for Individual Clients
  • Fitness – Client Fitness Screening and Assessment
  • Certificate III Information technology (Cyber)

For more information on these programs, please visit the EASVA website via the link below.

Students have access to alternative courses ran through Registered Training Organisations. For a full list of Department for Education funded courses, please visit the link below.

EASVA Website DfE Funded VET Courses

VET in a secondary education context

Embarking on VET

VET and the SACE

Students undertaking VET courses will earn SACE credits at either Stage 1 or Stage 2 level. Generally, Certificate I and II courses attract Stage 1 credits, while Certificate III courses attract Stage 2 credits. However, there are some exceptions, such as the Certificate II in Automotive Servicing.

To check how many SACE credits a course provides, visit the VET Recognition Search on the South Australian Certificate of Education website.

Students undertaking School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs) may be able to meet their Stage 2 elective credit requirements solely through completing the Certificate III component of their training.

VET and the ATAR

Completed Certificate III Courses (excluding the Certificate III in Retail) can contribute to a student’s university aggregate.

As a basic overview, the completed Certificate III is given an average of the score from the 70 other credits used towards the aggregate out of 90. Where this average would be lower than any other available studies, it is not used.

Students and families should refer to information available on the SATAC website regarding ATAR calculation when considering information relating to tertiary entry.

Students and families considering using a non-FIP Certificate III program to support an ATAR should familiarise themselves with the Non-FIP VET section below.

Non-FIP VET study

VET courses being pursued to support an ATAR rather than industry connection, which fall outside of a flexible industry pathway, are not arranged or supported by the school. Students will not have timetable adjustments supported based on current or prior enrolment in non-FIP training.

Common courses undertaken by students in these circumstances are Certificate III in Business or Certificate III in Fitness. The benefit of undertaking these courses for ATAR support is not clear for all students, and they are neither recommended nor discouraged. It is up to students and families to make a decision.

Those looking to pursue non-FIP VET study to support an ATAR might consider fast track options offered by numerous training providers. Students and families are advised to be mindful of the possible impact on a student’s school timetable or overall study load. The school can support with resulting if desired, however, the qualifications can be taken directly to the SACE board for processing.

Eligibility and Enrolment

Students in Years 10 and 11 are eligible to apply for 2026 VET courses as part of their learning program.

As part of the application process, students must provide evidence that:

  • The course aligns with their career pathway interests
  • Their personal and learning needs have been considered and planned for

Students must also demonstrate relevant experience or exposure to their chosen industry. This may include:

  • School-based assessments in related subjects
  • Work experience placements
  • Open or immersion days
  • Extracurricular activities
  • EIF exploration tasks

In addition, students will complete a Literacy, Language and Numeracy (LLN) assessment, which identifies their literacy and numeracy capabilities and any potential learning supports required.

Students must have a Unique Student Identifier (USI) to begin the application process. A USI can be created through the link below.

Create a USI