Policy
This policy outlines the ways schools may offer Vocational Education and Training (VET) to school students.
Summary
- VET enables students to gain qualifications for all types of employment, and specific skills to help them in the workplace.
- Undertaking VET while at school allows students to mix general and vocational education and to make a start on training for a career before they leave school.
- VET studies allow secondary students to gain practical skills in a specific industry while contributing towards the completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), including the VCE Vocational Major.
- Students can also study VET through school-based apprenticeships or traineeships (SBATs) or part-time apprenticeships and traineeships. In government schools, all SBATs will be supported by the Head Start program from 2023.
Details
Schools which are Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) may run VET programs for students.
Alternatively, schools may engage external RTOs, including TAFE institutes, to deliver VET programs either directly or through auspicing arrangements. For department policy and information on engaging RTOs to deliver VET programs refer to: Purchasing Secondary Courses and Vocational Training from External Providers.
For department policy and information on school-based and part-time apprenticeships and traineeships refer to: School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships.
VDSS funding
The primary source of funding for VET delivered to school students (VDSS) is through the core learning allocation in the Student Resource Package (SRP) provided to schools for each student.
Government schools are also provided with targeted VET funding to support the higher cost of provision in this area.
VET funding – changes for 2023
In 2023, a revised VDSS funding model for Victorian government schools is being introduced. The revised model accounts for the additional costs of VDSS, the different modes of delivery across the state, and also includes funding for VET materials.
The revised VDSS funding model features:
- funding bands for VDSS that more closely reflect the market-based price (Adult VET Skills First price plus average fee subsidy) to support VET provision. Funding will be allocated pro-rata for enrolments up to 180 hours per VET certificate per year
- funding bands for VET materials costs allocated per VET certificate enrolment per year
- recognition of different core student resource package (SRP) funding rates for mainstream and specialist schools
- a small-scale adjustment to offset VDSS costs for schools with low total enrolment numbers.
Reference 143 of the SRP Guide outlines the revised VDSS funding model to be implemented in 2023, including how funding for VET programs is allocated to schools and how schools may use their targeted VET funding.
The Resources tab includes the indicative list of qualifications and bands for targeted VET funding based on the revised 2023 VDSS funding model.
A student enrolled in a VET qualification through a school-based or Head Start apprenticeship or traineeship is funded under Skills First and is not eligible for targeted VET funding. However, students completing eligible certificates will be able to receive VET materials funding.
For a summary of the 2023 VDSS funding model refer to the 2023 VDSS funding reform presentation (staff login required).
VET materials funding
In 2023, the department will incorporate VET materials funding into the Student Resource Package. This will replace the reimbursement program in place during 2022. This funding will help to address the cost barrier for essential learning materials for VET studies for families.
VET materials are items required for the provision of a VET program. These items are necessarily consumed or transformed by students as part of training or assessment requirements.
The funding of VET materials aims to allow government schools to support VET selection based on a student’s strengths and interests, without the barrier of financial constraints.
The new approach to VET materials funding consists of 2 funding bands based on analysis of market costs. Certificates are placed into either a high-cost materials funding band or a low-cost materials funding band.
Each VDSS enrolment will be allocated $250 for certificates that sit within the low-cost materials funding band and $450 for those that sit within the high-cost materials funding band.
The level of funding received will be based on VDSS enrolments, and payments will be received as quarterly cash grants through the Student Resource Package.
The Resources tab includes the indicative list of qualifications and bands for VET materials funding.
In addition to the materials band funding amount, some schools may be eligible for further reimbursements for VET materials costs. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis for a limited number of schools whose VET materials costs in 2023 are significantly greater than the allocated materials band funding to be received in 2023. To be eligible for this additional funding, schools will be required to provide clear evidence of greater costs and expenditure than the 2023 allocated band funding amount for all eligible certificates. Further information on this additional funding, and the process for receiving the funding, will be available soon.
Data on the cost of VET materials will continue to be collected during the implementation of the band funding model in 2023. This data will be used to revise the VET materials funding model for 2024 where required.
Eligibility for VDSS funding
A VET program will be eligible for funding where:
- the program is provided to students undertaking certificates at level II to IV as part of their senior secondary certificate
- the costs incurred are for items that are necessarily consumed or transformed by students as part of training or assessment.
Not all VET programs are eligible for VDSS funding. Programs undertaken outside of the school curriculum and traineeships undertaken by students outside of school such as in a part-time employment arrangement, and Certificates in General Education or at Diploma level are excluded.
Where parents choose to purchase additional or alternate items, from those provided or recommended by the school and/or provider, they may do so at their own expense. Items to be retained by the student will be required to be purchased independently by the student/parents.
2022 VET materials reimbursement process
Schools will have until 24 March 2023 to submit applications. Claims must be submitted by 6 April 2023 through the Schools Targeted Funding Governance (STFG) Portal. There will be no further opportunity for submission after these dates.
The Application form for reimbursement of VET materials fees (staff login required) is available for government schools to download.
Once a reimbursement request is received:
- A school must create and submit a Reimbursement Request (RR) through the STFG (staff login required). Information and guidance documents on how to create and submit the RR can be found in the homepage of the STFG Portal.
- Claims for reimbursement must include key documents such as school’s Debtor Invoice and invoice/s from the RTO or supplier. For the reimbursement request to be approved, an itemised list of the essential materials must also be submitted if this was not included at the application stage of the reimbursement process.
- Once the RR is approved, the department will process payment of the school’s Debtor invoice and payment remitted.
Further information
Any queries regarding the reimbursement request process should be directed to the VDSS Funding Unit at: vet.secondary@education.vic.gov.au
For any queries on access to the STFG portal, please email schools.targeted.funding.governance@education.vic.gov.au
Related policies
- Career Education Funding (Reference 91 of the Student Resource Package Guide)
- Parent Payments
- Purchasing Secondary Courses and Vocational Training from External Providers
- School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships
- School Community Work
- Structured Workplace Learning
- Student Dress Code
- Student Resource Package – Targeted Initiatives
- VCE Vocational Major and VPC Contracts
- Work Experience
Relevant legislation
Contact
For government schools
VDSS Funding Unit, Senior Secondary Pathways Reform Taskforce
Email: vet.secondary@education.vic.gov.au
For Catholic schools
Catholic Education Melbourne
Peter Devery
Phone: 03 9267 0237
Email: PDevery@macs.vic.edu.au
For Independent schools
Independent Schools Victoria
Pam Hargreaves
Phone: 03 9825 7246
Email: pam.hargreaves@is.vic.edu.au
Reviewed 29 March 2023