Technical and Further Education

Technical & further Education (TAFE) programs are equivalent to vocational courses offered by colleges of Iran.

The difference between these two courses is in the stage they are being offered. In Iran students can study vocational courses during the high school, however in Australia, students are required to have completed their 12 years of school and be at least 18 years of age to be eligible to enroll to the relative colleges. There are many colleges in Australia that offer variety of courses in TAFE.  

Since there is a wide range of TAFE courses, each have their own standards in accordance with Australian educational system.   These courses focus on the practical training of the students. These courses are usually short and can be completed within two years.  At the completion of the program students will be awarded a “certificate” in the relative course of study. Students can easily enter the job market, having completed their course.

Qualifications awarded by TAFE colleges:

1.       Certificate I, II, III, and IV

2.       Diploma,

3.       Advanced Diploma,

4.       Graduate Certificate, and

5.       Graduate Diploma.  

At Certificate I and II, students will mainly cover courses at the vocational level, and it would be more specialised at Certificates III and IV level.  In many instances especially those that have completed their TAFE study at Certificate levels of III and IV can have the studied courses credited towards bachelor’s degree’s level university program.  This is very common among vocational trained students, who enter the university after completion of their training courses.

Students that have been awarded Diploma and Advanced Diploma, their qualifications are equivalent to first and second year of Bachelor’s degree, respectively.  As a result, students can transfer to the University of Higher Education. Courses studied at these levels include practical lessons and at Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma, cover more academic educations.

It is interesting that a significant number of Universities of Higher Education in Australia, offer TAFE studies such as: Deakin University Australia, Swinburne University, Charles Sturt University and etc.

For further information about TAFE and its courses, you can visit our page regarding majors and programs. Below is a list of courses offered by TAFE colleges:

·         Tourism Industry

·         Engineering and Construction,

·         Visual Arts,

·         Computer programming,

·         Social Services,

·         Hairdressing courses and Fashion Designing

The full list of TAFE Colleges in Australia can be found on the relevant page of our website.