Vocational Education and Training at Swinburne

TAFE courses include pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, traineeships, certificates, diplomas and advanced diplomas. They provide practical training focusing on skills that connect you to the industry and prepare you for the workforce. 

While most undergraduate (bachelor) degrees take three years to complete, TAFE courses can be completed in as little as a few hours for short courses, 10 weeks for some certificate courses, or up to two years full-time for diploma courses. 

Apprenticeships and traineeships combine paid work and formal study at Swinburne. 

• Pre-apprenticeships take three to six months to complete. Get your foot in the door, try something new and gain basic industry skills before an apprenticeship. 
  
• Apprenticeships take three to four years to complete. Combine paid employment with formal training in a specific field. 
  
• Traineeships take one to two years to complete. Enhance your skills with formal training while you’re working in paid non-trade employment. You can train on campus or at work. 
  

Certificate courses focus on technical and workplace skills, while diploma and advanced diploma courses expand on a study discipline with increased focus on professional knowledge. Learn more about these course types.

We offer multiple intakes throughout the year for our TAFE courses. Some courses have different intakes, so make sure to check the "how to apply" tab on the relevant course pages.

Many courses are offered with both full-time and part-time options. Other courses, such as apprenticeships and traineeships, are only offered as part-time training as students will be working while they train.

Many courses are delivered in a blended format – combining the benefits of face-to-face and online learning.

When on campus, you will have opportunities to speak with your teachers in person and make use of the available support services for students.

Some courses are delivered 100 percent online, where teachers facilitate virtual classrooms with learning and assessment done through a digital portal.

Fees differ across our TAFE courses, so be sure to check the "fees and scholarships" tab on the relevant course pages.

You may also be eligible for student loans and concessions, or even a Free TAFE course.

The Victorian State Government supports students by offering Free TAFE (Vocational Education and Training) courses in targeted skill areas including building and construction, business, law, IT, education, and health and community services.