There are many ways you can start on your career and learning path to give you career choices.

You can do training at school as part of your South Australian Certificate of Education, through a registered training provider of VET, by going to university or higher education institution, through an apprenticeship or traineeship, or by having your skills recognised.

Training at school

There are multiple ways you can start training for a job in school. You can:

  • do VET courses which count towards your SACE (VET in schools)
  • do a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship
  • take up the Training Guarantee for SACE Students which will guarantee you a place at TAFE or other

Learn more about training for school students.

Adult Community Education (ACE)

ACE provides community-focused learning delivered through a diverse range of programs and activities to help people get workplace skills. Learn more about Adult Community Education.

Vocational education and training

Vocational education and training (VET) courses can give you skills and knowledge to help you get the job you want or improve your skills for the job you already have.

Training providers can train you in a whole range of VET skills.  For example, you can get qualifications in:

  • automotive mechanics
  • building and construction
  • community and health services 
  • electronics and IT
  • engineering
  • environmental and natural resources
  • hospitality and tourism
  • media
  • plumbing
  • retail

Training usually takes place in a classroom or workshop, on the job or online.

If you are an apprentice or trainee you will need to work and complete a VET qualification to become qualified in a trade or vocation. 

VET courses come with tuition fees, but if you are eligible for a government funded place, you may not have to pay those fees from July 2012 when Certificate I and II courses will be free.

Find out more about training through Skills for All.

University and Higher Education

Higher education includes courses such as Associate Degrees, Bachelor Degrees, Masters Degrees, and Doctoral Degrees.  This training is provided by universities and registered higher education providers. 

There are several ways to apply for university entrance:

Year 12 results – you can use your Year 12 results or an overseas equivalent, regardless of when you finished school. 

For students completing year twelve, universities require you to achieve an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) at the level they consider to be the minimum standard for that degree qualification.  ATAR’s are awarded after successfully completing your South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) or equivalent OR by undertaking the special tertiary admissions test (STAT) which is held each year.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) – If you are 18 and haven’t done any study in the past two years, or are already in the workforce seeking to return to study, or want to start a new career path, you can sit the STAT test.  See the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC) website for dates and times for the STAT test.

Vocational education qualifications – if you already have a vocational education qualification at the Certificate IV or higher level, you can apply for entry into university.

Your vocational qualification may be used to transfer into a university degree.  You are eligible to apply for undergraduate programs using your certificate IV, diploma or advanced diploma, even if you didn’t complete Year 12. 

Credit transfer and pathways arrangements between the universities and training providers mean the universities can recognise your previous study and you don’t have to repeat some of the things you have already learned.

Find out more about credit transfer at these universities:

University of South Australia

Flinders University

The University of Adelaide

To find courses which offer credit towards a University Degree, visit TAFE SA.

Bridging programs/special entry - universities run a range of bridging or foundation programs which are designed to prepare you for studying at university. 

Contact one of South Australia’s three main universities for more information:

University of South Australia - offers a one year free foundation studies program.

University of Adelaide - if you are over 18 and interested in studying at Adelaide there are several pathways to adult entry including TAFE or vocational education qualifications, transfer from another institution or university preparatory program. 

Flinders University of South Australia - there are no prerequisites for entry into the Foundation Course and on successful completion you can apply for admission into undergraduate courses for the following year. 

Apprenticeships and traineeships

Do an apprenticeship or traineeship:  you’ll get qualified in a trade or vocation and earn a wage while you learn.

You will combine paid work and training under a formal agreement or training contract between you and your employer.  You will do on-job training (under a supervisor or tradesperson) and off-job training at a VET training provider.

This leads to a qualification in your vocation or trade.

There are no age restrictions to becoming an apprentice or trainee, and if you have some work experience in the industry you may be able to finish your qualification earlier than usual.

See apprenticeships and traineeships.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may already have some skills if you’ve been employed, done some training or have been a volunteer.  You can have your skills recognised and counted towards achieving a qualification.

Learn more about recognition of prior learning.

Learn more about recognising overseas skills and qualifications.

Links to courses and qualifications

Use these links to help you find information about courses that you are interested in, including the providers who deliver that training in South Australia.

If you need help using any of these links, call our Infoline.

Training and higher education

To find the training and higher education available in South Australia for qualifications linked to occupations, visit the Job Guide.

To find courses delivered by members of the Australian Council for Private Education and Training, visit ACPET.

For courses at TAFE, visit TAFE SA.

For university courses in South Australia, visit Flinders University, University of South Australia or The University of Adelaide.

For higher education courses and providers across Australia, visit Uni Course Finder

For enrolment information for South Australian university and some TAFE SA courses, visit the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre.

Apprenticeships and traineeships

For information about apprenticeship and traineeship qualifications, visit Australian Apprenticeship Pathways.

Industry and jobs

For comprehensive national information on occupations and industries, visit myfuture, the Job Guide and Job Outlook.

You can find courses delivered by members of the Australian Council for Private Education and Training on the ACPET website. 

If you are still unsure what career you are interested in, visit choose a career.