Thinking about studying a TAFE course after high school?

Come along to our Croydon campus to see exactly what Vocational Education and Training (VET) at Swinburne is like.

This immersive event is for any high school student who can’t wait to experience VET for themselves.

  • Get a taste of TAFE with a hands-on workshop
  • Work alongside other high school students
  • Find out which certificate or diploma is right for you
  • Learn what makes TAFE courses different to uni
  • Check out the Croydon campus while you enjoy a free lunch

Taster session

Get a feel for what it’s like to study a TAFE course at Swinburne through an interactive workshop.

Plumbing and carpentry

Thinking about an apprenticeship in plumbing or carpentry? Try your hand at both! See what a day on the job looks like, learn the tricks of the trade, then jump on the tools to test out your new skills.

Looking for other study areas?

If you're interested in screen and media, art and design, or health, community and early childhood, try a taster session on our Wantirna campus.

Take me there

Take a peek at our Croydon campus

Swinburne's Croydon campus

Explore our popular courses

Want to explore more courses?

Check out the full range of certificate and diploma courses available at Swinburne. Many of them provide a direct pathway if you choose to progress to higher education, such as a bachelor degree.

Frequently asked questions

TAFE courses include pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, traineeships, trades, certificates, diplomas and advanced diplomas. These courses provide practical, skills-focused training that leaves you industry connected and ready for the workforce. 

While many undergraduate degrees will 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-level courses, or up to two years full-time for diploma-level courses. 

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

  • Pre-apprenticeships (three to six months): Get your foot in the door, try something new and gain some basic industry skills before you start an apprenticeship. 
  • Apprenticeships (three to four years): Combine paid employment with formal training in fields such as electrotechnology. 
  • Traineeships (one to two years): Enhance your skills with formal training while you’re working in paid non-trade employment. You can train on campus or at work. 

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

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 some student loans and concessions, or even a Free TAFE course.

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 best of online learning as well as the benefits of being on campus.

When on campus you'll have opportunities to speak with your teachers face-to-face and make use of the many student support services available.

Some courses are delivered 100% online, where teachers facilitate virtual classrooms and learning and assessment is done through an online portal.

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. View the full list of Free TAFE courses.

This event is for high school students only.

Yes! We will be running separate info sessions for parents alongside each taster session. These sessions are a chance for parents to chat with Swinburne staff, tour the campus, and hear more info on VET Student Loans, employment outcomes and career opportunities for TAFE, and more.

Parent info sessions will run during the first hour of each taster session. If you’d like to attend, be sure to notify staff at check-in when you arrive with your student.

Please email schoolprograms@swinburne.edu.au or phone +61 3 9214 5436.

Can't wait to experience TAFE?

Take the first step towards your life after high school and register for A Day in the Life of a Swinburne TAFE Student.

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