Policy
This policy outlines the requirements for purchasing vocational education and training (VET) from registered training organisations (RTOs), including the role of different RTOs in the VET delivered to school students (VDSS) system, and the different VET delivery models.
Summary
- Schools have primary responsibility for delivering senior secondary curriculum to their enrolled students. To enhance senior secondary curriculum options, schools often purchase the delivery of VET from RTOs.
- Schools must have either a signed Department of Education (DE) contract with the RTO for delivery of VET programs, or a signed DE agreement with another school where that school provides the training.
- A variety of different types of RTOs deliver VET using a range of different delivery models, each with specific strengths.
- Schools are encouraged to seek the best quality option for VET delivery, taking into consideration their circumstances, including their students’ study interests and learning needs.
- TAFEs have a clear role in VET delivered to school students, delivering certificates that require specialist facilities in industries with high employment demand, with a particular focus on 14 specific certificates. Schools are encouraged to enter into arrangements with TAFEs to deliver these 14 certificates to their students.
- Refer to the Resources tab for template contracts and agreements, along with the list of 14 certificates recommended for TAFE delivery.
- Refer to the Guidance tab for further information on how to purchase VET from RTOs.
Details
The VET delivered to school students (VDSS) system includes different types of RTOs that provide VET through a range of delivery models.
To offer VET programs to their students, schools must either be an RTO themselves or enter into contracts with RTOs or agreements with other schools.
Choosing an RTO and delivery model
All RTOs in the VDSS system play an important role in meeting demand and supporting students to engage with VET. Schools can enter into arrangements with any training organisation registered with the relevant regulator body, the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) or the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). RTO types delivering VET to school students in Victoria include:
- TAFEs (Technical and Further Education) – Victoria’s public providers that boast a statewide network of over 100 campuses with access to specialist infrastructure and industry expertise
- school-based RTOs (SBRTOs) – government or non-government schools that are also RTOs. SBRTOs provide VET that is geared toward school students, and they often function as hubs that deliver to students from surrounding schools
- private RTOs – privately owned RTOs that vary greatly in size, delivery models, and breadth of certificates they offer. Private RTOs are responsible for the majority of auspice agreements with schools (refer to auspice delivery below)
- community-based RTOs – RTOs that provide locally focused training that supports diverse learners.
There are several distinct delivery models used for VET delivered to school students, including:
- RTO delivery (at RTO or third-party site) – where RTO trainers deliver to students at the RTO’s facilities, at another agreed site, or a combination of these. This can also be provided as part of a blended delivery approach where some training and assessment is delivered online
- RTO delivery (school site) – where the RTO delivers with its own trainers using school facilities. This includes Trade Training Centres (TTCs) that are on school premises. This can also be delivered as part of a blended delivery approach
- RTO delivery (online) – where the RTO delivers training entirely online. This model is only appropriate for certificates that allow full online delivery and may be used in exceptional circumstances, such as to support students in remote or hard-to-access areas
- auspice delivery – where the school’s teachers/paraprofessional trainers deliver the training on its site, under a third-party agreement with an RTO. The RTO oversees the school’s delivery, maintains compliance with the Standards for RTOs , and issues the qualifications or statements of attainment.
Each RTO type and delivery model has their strengths and can be better suited to different types of certificates and student cohorts.
When selecting an RTO, schools are encouraged to consider provider quality, the delivery models they offer, and their students’ study interests and learning needs. Schools may work with VET clusters to plan provision and identify high-quality training and training providers. It is recognised that some schools, particularly in rural and remote areas, have limited options and must work within local delivery constraints.
When entering an auspice arrangement, schools must ensure they have the staff, facilities and equipment that meet regulatory requirements and are appropriate for the training package delivered. Schools must work with the RTO to demonstrate delivery is compliant. This is critical to the quality of the training delivery.
For more information on choosing an RTO and VET delivery models, please refer to the Guidance tab.
Strengthening the role of TAFE in VCE VET
TAFEs are crucial to driving the delivery of high-quality VET for school students in Victoria, particularly given the TAFE network’s array of campuses, specialist infrastructure, highly qualified trainers and industry relationships.
From 2026, TAFEs will begin to implement standardised versions and expand access to 14 certificates from the VCE VET program that are linked to growing student demand, connected to areas of workforce shortage, and are challenging to deliver at schools.
Schools are asked to encourage their students to preference TAFE for these certificates where places are available. In addition, schools are encouraged to work in VET clusters and with DE to strengthen collaboration with TAFEs, and help identify and address barriers to expanding TAFE provision.
This initiative will strengthen the role of TAFE in VCE VET and support school students across Victoria to access consistent TAFE programs that are engaging, accessible, and aligned with best practice.
The 14 certificates prioritised for TAFE delivery are:
- Certificate II in Agriculture
- Certificate II in Animal Care
- Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation
- Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship (Bricklaying and Carpentry Streams)
- Certificate II in Cookery
- Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start)
- Certificate II in Electrotechnology Studies (Pre-vocational)
- Certificate II in Engineering Studies
- Certificate II in Plumbing (Pre-Apprenticeship)
- Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
- Certificate III in Beauty Services
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
- Certificate III in Information Technology.
TAFEs will continue to deliver other certificates apart from these 14, based on local needs and student demand. In addition, each TAFE is not expected to deliver all 14 certificates but will be expected to collaborate across the network to ensure efficient access for students in each region.
Even as TAFEs increase provision, school-based RTOs, Trade Training Centres and schools with access to other high-quality options, remain essential to the delivery of VCE VET.
For more information on the role of TAFE in the VDSS system, please refer to the Guidance tab. For the full list of units of competency in the standardised versions of these certificates, please refer to the Resources tab.
Document the arrangements in a contract or agreement
Schools must document arrangements for the delivery of vocational education and training to their students through either a:
- signed contract with the RTO
- signed agreement with another school where that school provides or arranges the training.
Schools must use one of the Department of Education contract or agreement templates. Refer to the Guidance tab for information about which of the 4 templates to use. The templates can be downloaded from the Resources tab.
Contracts and agreement templates were last updated in November 2025 for the 2026 school year.
Child safety
Duty of care requires all school staff to take all reasonable steps to reduce child safety risks.
When an RTO delivers directly to school students, both school staff and RTO staff owe a duty of care to their students. Child safety responsibilities need to be set out between the school and the RTO before delivery.
RTOs are responsible for complying with their obligations under DE’s standard VET Purchasing contract, which includes child safety obligations. The contract can be downloaded from the Resources tab.
Non-government schools
Non-government schools that plan to purchase part of their senior secondary curriculum from RTOs may obtain advice from the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria or Independent Schools Victoria.
Related policies
- School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships
- Trade Training Centres
- Vocational Education and Training Clusters
- Vocational Education and Training Delivered to School Students
- Vocational Education and Training Delivered to School Students (Reference 143 of the Student Resource Package Guide)
Contact
For assistance with queries relating to purchasing VET programs, contact the relevant school sector.
Government schools
Schools can contact the Jobs Skills and Pathways Manager in their regional in the first instance.
Catholic schools
Victorian Catholic Education Authority
Contact: Simone Best
Senior Officer, Pathways and Transition
Email sbest@vcea.catholic.edu.au or phone 03 8417 9356
Independent schools
Independent Schools Victoria
Contact: Maria Floudiotis
Education Consultant – Careers
Email maria.floudiotis@is.vic.edu.au or phone 03 9825 7246
Reviewed 01 December 2025