Overview

The Certificate III in General Education for Adults focuses on the development of literacy skills to read, interpret, critically analyse and create complex texts and solve maths equations. This course is recommended for people from English and non-English speaking backgrounds who left school before Year 11 or who have had disrupted formal education. Upon completion, students will be able to identify their goals and pursue further pathway study options.

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.

  • Nationally recognised training
    Nationally recognised training
My preference is success

Want to maximise your VTAC offers? Discover how to get more for your ATAR with Change of Preference tips and tools.

Skills you’ll learn

  • Literacy skills
  • Maths skills

Your career opportunities

  • Administration officer
  • Customer service officer
  • Apprenticeship

Admissions

Applicants are required to attend an interview where their learning goals and current language, literacy and numeracy skills will be assessed to ensure that the program best meets their needs.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

Course structure

To be eligible for the award of the Certificate III in General Education for Adults, learners must successfully complete a total of eight units made up of 5 core and 3 elective units.

5
Core units
+
3
Elective units
=
Certificate III
Indicative nominal course hours: 390

Your units

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Evaluate pathway options, design a learning plan and compile a portfolio
Core unit
VU22434

Select 4 units from Core Skills Reading/Writing/Numeracy and Mathematics:

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Engage with a range of highly complex texts to participate in the community
Core unit
VU22438
Engage with a range of highly complex texts for personal purposes
Core unit
VU22435
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Create a range of highly complex texts for personal purposes
Core unit
VU22439
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Use formal mathematical concepts and techniques to analyse and solve problems
Core unit
VU22444
Analyse and evaluate numerical and statistical information
Core unit
VU22442
Units of study Unit code
Elective units
Design and review a project
Elective unit
VU22446
Participate in complex spoken interactions
Elective unit
VU22417
Participate in negotiations
Elective unit
FNSCUS401
Develop and use information literacy skills
Elective unit
BSBLIB304
Communicate in the workplace
Elective unit
BSBCMM201
Create a range of complex texts to participate in the workplace
Elective unit, Croydon and Wantirna only
VU22420
Engage with a range of complex texts of limited complexity for employment purposes
Elective unit, Croydon and Wantirna only
VU22415
Work in a team
Elective unit, Croydon and Wantirna only
PUATEA001

2023 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$3,510

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$1,180

Concession rate* ($AUD)

$236

2024 fees

Fees are estimates only

Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2023 only and may change for units studied in future years. There may be additional costs related to learning material and equipment.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

Skills first government-subsidised place

To qualify for a government-subsidised place, you must meet various eligibility criteria. The course you’ve applied for must also be offering government-subsidised places. Swinburne will determine your eligibility by conducting a full assessment of your eligibility during the course application process.

How do I pay my fees?

You can pay your Swinburne fees in person, via credit card, BPAY, or at Australia Post. Check to see if loans and employer sponsored training are also available.

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Financials
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.

Concessions rates for vocational students

If you’re enrolling in a Certificate IV-level program or below, are eligible for a government-subsidised training place and hold a valid concession card, you may be eligible for a concession of 80 per cent off the published fee of your unit(s) tuition – which means you’ll only be charged 20 per cent of the published fee.

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2023 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 30 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
22474VIC
Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.

Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
December intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
29-November-2023
Start dates
04-December-2023
December intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
29-November-2023
Start dates
04-December-2023
December intake
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
29-November-2023
Start dates
04-December-2023
January intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
20-December-2023
Start dates
02-January-2024
January intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
20-December-2023
Start dates
02-January-2024
January intake
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
20-December-2023
Start dates
02-January-2024
February intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
24-January-2024
Start dates
29-January-2024
February intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
24-January-2024
Start dates
29-January-2024
February intake
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
24-January-2024
Start dates
29-January-2024
March intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
21-February-2024
Start dates
26-February-2024
March intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
21-February-2024
Start dates
26-February-2024
March intake
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
21-February-2024
Start dates
26-February-2024
April intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
27-March-2024
Start dates
01-April-2024
April intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
27-March-2024
Start dates
01-April-2024
April intake
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
27-March-2024
Start dates
01-April-2024
May intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
24-April-2024
Start dates
29-April-2024
May intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
24-April-2024
Start dates
29-April-2024
May intake
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
24-April-2024
Start dates
29-April-2024
June intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
22-May-2024
Start dates
27-May-2024
June intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
22-May-2024
Start dates
27-May-2024
June intake
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
22-May-2024
Start dates
27-May-2024
Start dates
Location
Start dates
December intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
04-December-2023
December intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
04-December-2023
December intake
Location
Croydon
Start dates
04-December-2023
January intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
02-January-2024
January intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
02-January-2024
January intake
Location
Croydon
Start dates
02-January-2024
February intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
29-January-2024
February intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
29-January-2024
February intake
Location
Croydon
Start dates
29-January-2024
March intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
26-February-2024
March intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
26-February-2024
March intake
Location
Croydon
Start dates
26-February-2024
April intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
01-April-2024
April intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
01-April-2024
April intake
Location
Croydon
Start dates
01-April-2024
May intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
29-April-2024
May intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
29-April-2024
May intake
Location
Croydon
Start dates
29-April-2024
June intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
27-May-2024
June intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
27-May-2024
June intake
Location
Croydon
Start dates
27-May-2024
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