Policy
This policy sets out the purpose, functions and recommended funding arrangements for Vocational Education and Training (VET) clusters.
Summary
- VET clusters (clusters) facilitate coordination between schools to plan for, coordinate and expand student access to VET.
- Secondary schools are strongly encouraged to participate in their cluster.
- Schools are encouraged to work with their cluster to ensure availability of VET in the priority industry areas.
- Funding has been provided to support cluster establishment until 31 December 2026.
Details
VET clusters (clusters) are the primary structure for place-based coordination of VET delivery to school students.
Clusters facilitate and expand student access to VET by fostering collaborative and mutually beneficial relationships between schools, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs). Clusters also reduce administrative workload for school-based staff and build knowledge and skills of all cluster members.
Clusters can include government, Catholic and independent schools. All government secondary schools are assigned to a cluster.
Schools are strongly encouraged to:
- participate in their cluster by contributing to coordination funding, working collaboratively with the cluster coordinator and attending cluster meetings
- work with their cluster to ensure all students can access at least one certificate from each of the 6 VCE VET priority industry areas, reflecting Victorian skills shortages, government priorities and industry growth areas.
It is recommended that clusters are led by a cluster coordinator employed by an LLEN. However, many existing school-facilitated clusters are high-functioning and do not require transition to a LLEN-facilitated model.
For further information, refer to the guidance on membership, roles and responsibilities.
VET cluster functions
Clusters have 5 operational functions that support participation in VET:
- establishing governance and a shared vision for ensuring students have access to high-quality VET
- supporting collaboration between stakeholders across school sectors
- facilitating shared provision of VET between member schools
- coordinating access to VET
- streamlining the administrative requirements of VET for member schools.
Clusters also have 3 strategic functions that expand availability of VET and grow the cluster’s capabilities:
- addressing barriers to participation in VET
- responding to student demand and place-based needs and opportunities to increase the breadth of the VET offering accessible to students
- facilitating improved practice in the coordination and delivery of VET.
For further information, refer to the guidance on strategic functions and key activities.
Funding
To function effectively, clusters require a cluster coordinator. Schools are encouraged to jointly fund cluster coordination, along with LLENs in LLEN-facilitated clusters.
For funding arrangements, refer to the guidance on cluster coordination funding. Queries relating to funding arrangements can be directed to the Jobs Skills and Pathways Manager in the relevant regional .
Definitions
Cluster coordinator
A cluster coordinator provides administrative and operational support to the cluster.
Cluster coordinators can be LLEN-employed (in a LLEN-facilitated cluster) or school-employed (in a school-facilitated cluster).
Cluster coordinators should be distinguished from school VET coordinators. School VET coordinators are responsible only for coordination in their respective school, not the cluster.
Local Learning and Employment Network
A Local Learning and Employment Network (LLEN) is an independent community organisation that supports employers, local education and training providers, businesses, industry groups and community agencies to connect with schools.
LLEN-facilitated cluster
A LLEN-facilitated clusters is a cluster with a LLEN-employed cluster coordinator.
School-facilitated cluster
A school-facilitated cluster is a cluster with a school-employed cluster coordinator.
VET coordinator
A VET coordinator is a school employee responsible for coordinating VET in their individual school. The responsibilities of a school VET coordinator will vary between schools. VET coordinators are distinct from cluster coordinators.
Related policies
- Purchasing Secondary Courses and Vocational Training from External Providers
- Student Resource Package – Targeted Initiatives:
- Trade Training Centres
- Vocational Education and Training Delivered to School Students
Relevant legislation
Contact
For government schools
Schools can contact the Jobs Skills and Pathways Manager in their regional in the first instance.
For Catholic schools
Contact the relevant Diocese representative.
Carmel Clark
Ballarat Catholic Education
pathways@dobcel.catholic.edu.au
Jenny Wilson and Merry Young
Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools
pathways@macs.vic.edu.au
Sam Franzi
Sale Catholic Education
pathways@doscel.catholic.edu.au
Barry Norton
Catholic Education Sandhurst
pathways@ceosand.catholic.edu.au
For independent schools
Independent Schools Victoria
Maria Floudiotis
Phone: 03 9825 7246
Email: maria.floudiotis@is.vic.edu.au
Reviewed 21 July 2025