Policy
This policy outlines the purpose of Vocational Education and Training (VET) delivered to school students (VDSS), the ways schools may offer VET to school students and how VDSS funding is allocated.
Summary
- VET allows students to work towards qualifications for all types of employment, and gain sector-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 are encouraged to support students to access the VET certificates within the VDSS Core Offering, a set of 12 pathways comprised of 41 VET certificates that reflect student interests, areas of industry need and jobs growth. For more information about the VDSS Core Offering refer to the Guidance tab.
Schools can support students' access to VDSS in a number of ways:
- Schools that 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.
- Students may also access VDSS as part of an SBAT.
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 VDSS is through the Student Resource Package (SRP) provided to schools.
Government schools are also provided with targeted VET funding to support the higher cost of provision in this area.
A new VDSS funding model for Victoria government schools was introduced in 2023 and will continue in 2024. The revised model takes into account the additional costs of VDSS, the different modes of delivery across the state and includes additional funding for VET materials.
The VDSS funding model features:
- funding bands for VDSS that more closely reflect the market-based price 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
- 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, including how funding for VET programs is allocated to schools and how schools may use their targeted VET funding.
The Resources tab includes the 2024 VDSS indicative list of certificates and bands for targeted VET funding based on the revised VDSS funding model.
A student enrolled in VET through a school-based apprenticeship traineeship (which may be supported by Head Start) is funded under Skills First and is not eligible for targeted VET funding. However, school-based RTOs are eligible to receive VET materials funding for some certificates for government school students. The department will communicate the Schools Targeted Funding Governance Portal process directly to school-based RTOs.
VET materials funding
From 2023, VET materials funding is incorporated into the SRP under the revised funding model. This replaces the reimbursement program delivered in 2022. This funding will help to address the cost barrier for essential learning materials for VET studies.
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 SRP.
The Resources tab includes the indicative list of qualifications and bands for VET materials funding.
Where parents choose to purchase additional or alternate items from those provided or recommended by the school 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 students or their families.
The Resources tab includes the 2024 VDSS indicative list of certificates and bands for VET materials funding.
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 VCE, including the VCE Vocational Major or VCP studies
- 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.
VET materials funding for school-based apprenticeships and traineeships
Government school-based RTOs will be eligible for VET materials funding for materials costs incurred as part of the delivery of apprenticeship and traineeship programs run through their school. Government school-based RTOs will receive the allocated band funding amount per eligible certificate, for each school-based apprenticeship or traineeship enrolment from a government school. This includes enrolments supported by Head Start.
More information regarding eligibility, application process and funding delivery will be provided as it becomes available.
Additional VET materials reimbursement in 2023
In addition to the materials band funding amount, schools with VET materials costs that significantly exceed their funding may be eligible for reimbursement of those excess costs. This is a transitional arrangement that will only be available in 2023.
More information regarding eligibility, application process and funding delivery will be provided as it becomes available.
Further information
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 31 October 2023