Field of Study

Accounting

Accounting, bookkeeping

Agriculture

Agriculture, agronomy, animal husbandry, animal production, aquaculture, dairy, farming, forestry, fisheries, horticulture, landscape gardening, rural management, viticulture, wool science

Architecture

Architecture, architectural history

Built environment

Bricklaying, building science, building surveying, building technology, carpentry, ceiling fixing, construction management, decorating, floor coverings, floor fixing, furnishing installation, glazing, housing, industrial design, interior decoration, interior design, joinery, landscape architecture, painting, plastering, plumbing, quantity surveying, rigging, roof fixing, scaffolding, sign writing, stonemasonry, urban and regional planning, wall fixing

Business and management

Administration, banking, business, commerce, distribution, farm management, finance, human resources management, industrial relations, insurance, management, marketing, office studies, purchasing, real estate, sales, valuation, warehousing

Communications

Advertising, announcing, audio production, broadcasting, cinema, editing, film, journalism, media arts, media studies, mass communications, professional writing, public relations, publishing, radio, scriptwriting, television, video production, writing

Computing and information technology

Computing, computer science, data processing, database management, information systems, information technology, multimedia technology, networks, operating systems, programming, software development, systems analysis and design

Creative arts

Art, art conservation, art history, ceramics, craft, dance, drama, fashion design, fine arts, floristry, graphic arts and design, jewellery-making, music, painting, photography, sculpture, silversmithing, singing

Dentistry

Dentistry, dental nursing, dental studies, dental therapy

Economics

Economics

Education and training

Career education teaching, community education, curriculum development, educational policy and administration, special education teaching, teacher education (pre-school, primary, secondary and tertiary), trainer education

Engineering and technology

All areas of engineering, air conditioning, automotive, cartography, cleaning, electrical, electronics, engineering drafting, firefighting, food processing, manufacturing (concrete, furniture, glass, rubber, pharmaceuticals, plastics, printing, metals, textiles, clothing and footwear), mechanics, mining, plant operation, processing, refrigeration, technology, transport, welding

Environmental studies

Coastal management, ecology, environmental design, environmental studies, land management, land rehabilitation, natural resource management, parks and wildlife management, pest management, pollution science, soil and water conservation, toxicology

Health services and support

Acupuncture, ambulance services, community health, dietetics, disability studies, ergonomics, epidemiology, first aid, health studies, homoeopathy, massage, mental health, natural therapies, nutrition, occupational health and safety, osteopathy, public health

Humanities and social sciences

Aboriginal studies, anthropology, archaeology, archive studies, area and ethnic studies, gender studies, geography, government, history, library studies, museum studies, philosophy, politics, policy studies, religious studies, sociology, theology, women's studies

Languages

All languages, Auslan, interpreting, language studies, linguistics, literature, translating

Law

Law

Mathematics

Mathematics, statistics

Medicine

Medicine

Nursing

All types of nursing

Para-legal studies

Correctional services, criminology, defence studies, justice administration, law enforcement, legal practice, legal and paralegal studies, public safety, police studies, security

Pharmacy

Pharmacy, community pharmacy practice

Psychology

Psychology, behavioural sciences

Rehabilitation

Audiology, chiropractic, occupational therapy, optometry, orthoptics, physiotherapy, podiatry, speech pathology, speech therapy

Sciences

Anatomy, astronomy, atmospheric sciences, biochemistry, biology, botany, chemistry, earth sciences, ecology, food science, forensic science, genetics, geology, geophysics, hydrology, laboratory technology, marine science, medical science, meteorology, microbiology, oceanography, pharmacology, physics, physiology, soil science, zoology

Social work

Social work

Sport and leisure

Coaching, fitness, leisure, racing, recreation, sport

Surveying

Geomatic engineering, geographic information systems, spatial information systems, surveying

Tourism and hospitality

Accommodation studies, baking, bartending, butchering, catering, club management, cooking, food and beverage management, food and drink waiting, food preparation, gaming, hotel management, hospitality studies, pastry-making, tourism, tourism management, travel

Veterinary science

Animal studies, animal welfare, veterinary studies, veterinary nursing

Institution Type

TAFE Institute

These organisations are usually known as TAFE institutes, TAFE colleges or polytechnics. They are government funded primarily to offer Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses such as certificates, diplomas and vocational graduate certificates. Some TAFE institutes also offer a limited range of higher education courses such as bachelor degrees. Also included are Australian universities that have a major VET sector.

University/Higher Education Institution

Includes government-funded and private Australian universities registered to offer higher education courses (e.g. bachelor degrees, graduate diplomas, masters degrees), as well as private colleges that are registered with a state/territory or national authority to offer accredited higher education courses. Some universities and private colleges offering courses in the higher education sector may also offer VET (Vocational Education and Training) courses such as certificates and diplomas.

Private Vocational Education College

This includes private Registered Training Organisations that are registered with a state/territory or national authority to offer accredited courses in the VET sector such as certificates or diplomas. Also included are private organisations registered to offer English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS).

Qualifications

Adult Senior Secondary

Year 11 and Year 12 courses for adults, including the Australian Capital Territory Year 12 Certificate, the New South Wales Higher School Certificate (HSC), the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET), the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE), the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) and the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE).

Statement

Statements are awarded upon the completion of accredited training programs, individual units of competency and preparatory education, including foundation courses and English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS).

Certificate I

Certificate I recognises basic vocational skills and knowledge that meet nationally endorsed industry/enterprise competency standards as agreed for those qualifications by the relevant industry, enterprise, community or professional group. It includes preparatory and participation skills and knowledge such as literacy and numeracy, communication skills, working in teams, workplace technology and industry-specific competencies.
Certificate I qualifications are offered by TAFE institutes, private Registered Training Organisations and some universities.

Certificate II

Certificate II recognises basic vocational skills and knowledge that meet nationally endorsed industry/enterprise competency standards as agreed for those qualifications by the relevant industry, enterprise, community or professional group. It includes preparatory and participation skills and knowledge such as literacy and numeracy, communication skills, working in teams, workplace technology and industry-specific competencies. Certificate II qualifications are offered by TAFE institutes, private Registered Training Organisations and some universities.

Certificate III

Certificate III recognises more complex vocational skills and knowledge that meet nationally endorsed industry/enterprise competency standards as agreed for those qualifications by the relevant industry, enterprise, community or professional group. It includes training at the apprenticeship level, as well as more advanced skills in literacy and numeracy, communication skills, workplace technology and industry-specific competencies. Certificate III qualifications are offered by TAFE institutes, private Registered Training Organisations and some universities.

Certificate IV

Certificate IV recognises more complex vocational skills and knowledge that meet nationally endorsed industry/enterprise competency standards as agreed for those qualifications by the relevant industry, enterprise, community or professional group. It includes training at the apprenticeship level, as well as more advanced skills in literacy and numeracy, communication skills, workplace technology and industry-specific competencies. Certificate IV qualifications are offered by TAFE institutes, private Registered Training Organisations and some universities.

Diploma

Diplomas prepare candidates for self-directed application of skills and knowledge based on fundamental principles and/or complex techniques, and recognise the student's capacity for initiative and judgment across a broad range of technical and/or management functions. Diplomas are offered in both the VET and higher education sectors, by TAFE institutes, universities and private Registered Training Organisations.

Advanced Diploma

Advanced diplomas prepare candidates for self-directed application of skills and knowledge based on fundamental principles and/or complex techniques. They recognise the student's capacity for initiative and judgment across a broad range of technical and/or management functions. They are more specialised than diplomas, signifying a higher level of personal accountability and more complex skills and knowledge. Advanced diplomas are offered in both the VET and higher education sectors, by TAFE institutes, universities and private Registered Training Organisations.

University Certificate

Some universities offer certificates for special programs. The subjects may be a subset from another qualification such as a bachelor degree. A certificate normally takes one year of full-time study or equivalent to complete.

Associate Degree

An associate degree is a parallel award to diploma and advanced diploma, but has a more theoretical content and may lead into a bachelor degree. Associate degrees are offered by a small number of universities and other higher education providers.

Bachelor

A bachelor degree is a higher education sector qualification that provides initial preparation for professional careers and postgraduate study. Graduates will possess a range of academic and vocational attributes such as an understanding of a systematic and coherent body of knowledge and its underlying principles and concepts; communication and problem solving skills; the ability to undertake research, analyse information and apply knowledge and techniques learnt within an academic or professional context; skills for self-directed and lifelong learning; and interpersonal and teamwork skills appropriate to employment and/or further study. Bachelor degrees are offered by universities and other Registered Training Organisations, including TAFE institutes and private colleges.

Graduate Certificate

Graduate certificates broaden the skills already gained in an undergraduate program or develop vocational knowledge and skills in a new professional area.

Postgraduate Certificate

Upon completion of an undergraduate course, a postgraduate certificate develops vocational knowledge and skills in a new professional area.

Graduate Diploma

Graduate diplomas broaden skills already gained in an undergraduate program, provide further specialisation within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge or develop vocational knowledge and skills in a new professional area.

Postgraduate Diploma

Upon completion of an undergraduate course, a postgraduate diploma develops vocational knowledge and skills in a new professional area.

Masters Degree (by Coursework)

Masters degrees (by coursework) enhance specific professional or vocational skills through directed coursework. More than one third of the course is undertaken by coursework.

Masters Degree (by Research)

The acquisition of in-depth understanding in a specific area of knowledge, involving a minimum of two thirds of the course being undertaken by research.

Doctoral Degree (by Coursework)

Original research (including a literature review, experimentation or other systematic approach to the relevant body of knowledge) that results in a significant contribution to knowledge and understanding and/or the application of knowledge within a discipline or field of study. Coursework usually comprises more than one third of the course.

Vocational Graduate Certificate

Vocational graduate certificates broaden skills already gained in a relevant qualification, such as an advanced diploma, and are generally combined with relevant vocational practice to broaden knowledge and skills within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge.

Vocational Graduate Diploma

Vocational graduate diplomas broaden skills already gained in a relevant qualification, such as a vocational graduate certificate, and are generally combined with relevant vocational practice to broaden knowledge and skills within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge.

Masters Degree (Extended)

The acquisition of an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for professional practice and as a pathway for further learning, typically 3 to 4 years after the completion of a bachelor degree. These degrees are limited to a small number of fields, including veterinary science, medicine, dentistry, optometry and physiotherapy.

Mode of Study

External

Also called 'distance education', 'off-campus' or 'correspondence'. These courses offer full- or part-time study by mail, video recording or other forms of communication. On-site attendance for tutorials, exams or workshops may be required.

Flexible Delivery

Courses that are offered in a range of ways (e.g. competency-based or self-paced) and in a variety of locations (e.g. at a workplace, study centre or community centre) to suit the needs of the individual.

Full-time Internal

Full-time students have a full load of study and are expected to attend on site most days of the week.

Online

These courses are offered online via the internet.

Part-time Block or Day Release

These students study part time, completing required face-to-face classes in intensive sessions one day per week (day release) or in larger blocks of a week or more at a time (block release).

Part-time Internal

Attendance at these courses requires less than a full load of study. Class attendance on site may be day, evening or a combination, which allows students to combine work or other commitments with study.

Weekend

Courses are offered on site over the weekend, allowing students to combine full-time work with full-time study.