The Department funds the following VET programs to provide opportunities for full time secondary students to start training while at school.
VET delivered to secondary students
The Department works with the education sector, the School Curriculum and Standards Authority and industry to support the delivery of quality VET programs to Western Australian secondary students.
Here you will find a range of useful resources and information for schools, teachers and VET practitioners, including:
- strategic documents and guidelines;
- the VET qualifications register for secondary students;
- good practice models; and
- an overview of VET programs delivered to secondary students.

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Strategic directions
The Joint Ministerial Statement establishes a clear strategic direction for VET delivered to secondary students.
View the Joint Ministerial statement
The VET delivered to secondary students guidelines support the implementation of the Joint Ministerial statement and provide an operational framework to guide schools delivering VET programs to secondary students.
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VET qualifications register for secondary students
The VET qualifications register for secondary students provides industry advice for schools and RTOs on the suitability of qualifications for secondary students and delivery requirements to meet industry standards. Please note that the register is of an advisory nature only and does not override or replace training package requirements. Visit the training.gov.au website for training package information.

The register aims to assist schools and RTOs to select qualifications that are more likely to be completed by secondary students or help them to transition effectively to further training or employment.
View the VET qualifications register for secondary students for the 2024 school year
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Auspicing research tool for schools
The Department of Training and Workforce Development, in collaboration with the WA Department of Education and the Training Accreditation Council, has developed an RTO auspicing research tool.

This useful tool provides schools with prompts and questions to help them research and choose suitable RTOs to enter into auspicing arrangements with to deliver VET qualifications to their students. It includes:
- a focus on VET sector regulatory requirements;
- a checklist of information that should be included in an auspicing agreement; and
- links to VET sector resources to help schools easily access this information and understand the sector’s requirements.
You may also find these two fact sheets helpful.
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VET programs for secondary students
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Aboriginal school-based training program
The Aboriginal school-based training program has two pathways:
- employment based training (school-based apprenticeships and traineeships); and
- institutional based training.
View the 2023 business rules that apply to the ASBT institutional pathway (updated February 2023)
View the 2021 ASBT employment-based training pathway fact sheet (updated June 2023)
View the 2023 ASBT institutional pathway fact sheet (updated February 2023)
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Pre-apprenticeships and pre-traineeships in schools
Pre-apprenticeships and pre-traineeships in schools are Certificate II programs that have been nominated by industry training councils as valid pathways from school to related apprenticeships. Students attend school, train at an RTO and complete mandatory work placement. Completion of a pre-apprenticeship or pre-traineeship may also contribute to a student's Western Australian Certificate of Education.
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School-based apprenticeships and traineeships
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships are paid employment based training programs for full time school students who are generally 15 years of age and over. Students are required to enter into a training contract with their employer.
Qualifications that are available as school-based apprenticeships or traineeships are listed on the Register of Class A and B qualifications.
Information on school-based apprenticeship and traineeship requirements is available in the Apprenticeship and traineeship policy.
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Guide to Western Australian school-based apprenticeships and traineeships
A guide to Western Australian school-based apprenticeships and traineeships has been developed to support schools, registered training organisations, employers, students, parents and other stakeholders operating in the WA apprenticeship and traineeship system.
The guide provides detailed information on the key aspects involved in a school-based apprenticeship and traineeship (SBAT) arrangement, including:
- a quick guide outlining the key steps involved in an SBAT from starting out through to completion;
- real life examples that make it easier to understand how SBATs actually work in practice;
- information on the roles and responsibilities of each of the stakeholders in an SBAT; and
- links for easy access to fact sheets, forms and other information.

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Critical success factors
Five critical success factors underpin successful VET programs delivered to secondary students:
- leadership, continuity and partnerships;
- student cohort and parent liaison;
- vision, place and configuration;
- flexibility; and
- course content, structure and evaluation.
Read more details about applying the critical success factors.
Good practice models
The following good practice models are available to help schools plan and deliver quality VET programs. These models showcase selected schools that embed critical success factors in their planning and highlight how these schools help their students achieve quality outcomes.
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Career advice
Quality career advice and guidance are an important part of helping students to:
- make decisions about their preferred career pathways;
- decide which School Curriculum and Standards Authority courses and VET qualifications they should take at school; and
- maximise their successful outcomes at school and post school.
Resources for school career practitioners and VET coordinators are available in the Information and Resources section of the Jobs and Skills WA website.

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Further information
Further information about VET programs for secondary students is available from the:
- Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia (Inc);
- Catholic Education Western Australia;
- School Curriculum and Standards Authority; and
- WA Department of Education.
Please direct any queries to VET.Schools@dtwd.wa.gov.au.
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Page last updated October 16, 2023