Guidance
VDSS Core Offering
The Vocational Education and Training (VET) delivered to school students (VDSS) Core Offering is a set of certificates grouped into 12 pathways. The 12 pathways are organised into 6 priority pathways and 6 flexible pathways. Schools are encouraged to work towards providing students access to a choice of 8 certificates from within the VDSS Core Offering – at least 6 from the priority pathways and at least 1 certificate from 2 of the flexible pathways.
The 6 priority pathways include VET certificates that lead to skills and employment in Victoria’s growth industries and government priorities. The 6 flexible pathways include additional VET certificates that are aligned to students’ interests, regional demand, and community needs.
All 41 certificates in the VDSS Core Offering are within the VCE-VET programs developed by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA).
These certificates have been chosen because they are most suitable for school-aged students to develop the skills and knowledge required for specific industries and align to the requirements of VCAA.
The VDSS Core Offering will be reviewed regularly to reflect shifts in Victoria’s economy and any changes in the VET certificates available to school students.
Priority VDSS pathways
Health
- Certificate II in Health Support Service
- Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance (partial completion) incorporating Certificate III in Health Services Assistance*^
Community Services and Early Childhood Education
- Certificate II in Active Volunteering
- Certificate III in Community Services incorporating Certificate II in Community Service*^
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (partial completion)^
- Certificate II in Applied Language
- Certificate III in Applied Language
Building and Construction
- Certificate II in Construction Pathways^
- Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship (partial completion)^
- Certificate II in Plumbing (Pre-apprenticeship)^
- Certificate II in Civil Construction^
Digital Media and Technologies
- Certificate II in Applied Digital Technologies
- Certificate III in Information Technology*^
- Certificate II in Integrated Technologies (Pre-vocational)*^
Hospitality
- Certificate II in Hospitality*^
- Certificate II in Cookery (previously Certificate II in Kitchen Operations)*^
Clean Energy and Engineering
- Certificate II in Engineering Studies*^
- Certificate III in Laboratory Skills*^
- Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start)^
- Certificate II in Electrotechnology Studies (Pre-vocational)^ Flexible VDSS pathways
Flexible VDSS pathways
Automotive
- Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation^
Agriculture and Environment
- Certificate II in Agriculture^
- Certificate II in Horticulture^
- Certificate II in Conservation and Ecosystem Management^
- Certificate II in Animal Care^
Hair and Beauty
- Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics
- Certificate II in Salon Assistant
- Certificate III in Beauty Services^
- Certificate III in Make-Up^
Creative Industries
- Certificate II in Creative Industries
- Certificate III in Screen and Media*^
- Certificate II in Apparel, Fashion and Textiles (previously Certificate II in Applied Fashion Design and Technology)^
- Certificate II in Music
- Certificate III in Music (Performance)*^
- Certificate III in Music (Sound Production)*^
- Certificate III in Dance*^
Sport and Recreation
- Certificate II in Outdoor Recreation
- Certificate II in Sport and Recreation
- Certificate III in Sport, Aquatics and Recreation (previously Certificate III in Sport and Recreation) *^
Business
- Certificate II in Workplace Skills
- Certificate III in Business*^
- Certificate II in Small Business (Operations/Innovation)^
* Scored pathway available
^ Unit 3 and 4 sequence available
Reviewed 10 August 2023