TAFE Courses FAQs

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Why should I take a TAFE course with SEEK Learning?

SEEK Learning has partnered with OTEN to offer you TAFE diploma and certificate courses that are nationally recognised and government-accredited. The qualifications you gain will articulate into universities to fast track your education.

We've streamlined the courses and reduced the number of units you need to take, so you can finish your course faster while still receiving the same nationally-recognised qualification.

We've also put together TAFE short courses to quickly up-skill in a specific area of interest. This is especially helpful if you're currently working or eyeing a job and need to master relevant skills in a short period of time.

SEEK Learning's TAFE courses are also quality assured and 94% of OTEN TAFE students report high levels of satisfaction after completing an OTEN TAFE course.

Why should I study by distance learning?

Taking a TAFE course by distance learning means you can study at a pace that suits you, not at the pace of the slowest learner as often occurs in the classroom. You can gain a TAFE certificate or diploma in six months or two years, it's all up to you! Enrolment is available all year round, so you decide when to start the course. As a SEEK Learning TAFE student, you can also look forward to comprehensive support to help you in your studies.

Distance learning can also be cheaper as you do not have to travel to classes, pay for parking, petrol and other such costs. Our upfront one-off fee is all inclusive, so the cost covers all your textbooks, learning materials and 24-hour student support.

What kind of resources do I need?

You'll need regular access to the Internet and an email address which will be used for correspondence. You will need a computer with a CD drive as learning materials will be supplied on CDs.

For a smooth learning experience, we recommend that you have an IBM compatible computer with:

at least 512MB RAM
56K modem or better
Windows XP or later
Microsoft Office 2007 or later
MS Internet Explorer 6 or later (recommended browser)
Adobe Acrobat Reader available free from the Adobe website
CD ROM drive
A Pentium IV (or better) computer
A printer

For some courses you will also need a calculator.

I'm a school leaver/I have no qualifications. Am I eligible to study TAFE?

Our TAFE courses are designed to suit everyone, including school leavers and mature age students. Our courses do not have formal pre-requisites, making them accessible to everyone.

However some experience is recommended for various courses. Students who do not have the recommended experience should discuss the course's suitability with a SEEK Learning Consultant.

Types of experience recommended are:

Year 12 (HSC)
This means that you have successfully completed your final year of secondary school.
Mature age entry
This means that you have some post-school experience that helps you to make an informed choice about this course. Typically this will mean you are over 20 years old (at a minimum) with some general work experience.
Industry experience
This means that you have some experience (normally work experience) in the industry that the course relates to.

What's the difference between a TAFE Certificate and a Diploma?

There are several different TAFE qualifications. Students should select the course that best matches the career outcome they want. From entry-level Certificate I courses to professional Advanced Diplomas, there's a course for every level. Find out more on our TAFE Qualifications Explained page.

Will my TAFE qualification be nationally recognised?

OTEN courses have been developed under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), so they are government-accredited and nationally recognised.

Will my TAFE qualification help if I want to go to university in the future?

Yes, our TAFE certificates and diplomas articulate into universities to fast track your education. In fact, some of our courses already have articulation arrangements in place to make it even more convenient for you to further study at the university level.

Will my TAFE qualification help me to get a job/promotion?

Because OTEN TAFE vocational courses are developed in consultation with relevant industry and community groups, you can rest assured that your qualification is highly valued by industry employers, education and training providers and the wider community. The skills and knowledge you gain from our TAFE courses are designed to be career-relevant so you can apply them immediately if you are already working or use them to get the job you want.

I have work or other commitments. What if I don't have much time to study?

With distance learning, you're in charge - you set the pace at which you study. We've designed the TAFE courses to be as flexible as possible. Our course pages provide a general guide to show you how many hours per week you need to study to complete the course between 6 months and 2 years. Ultimately, you decide how long you need to complete the course.

I'm from New Zealand. How does a TAFE qualification apply to me?

Australian TAFE qualifications are recognised in New Zealand, according to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. A TAFE qualification could come in handy if you're thinking of getting a job in Australia, and the short courses are a valuable way of up-skilling for any job in New Zealand or Australia.

How do I enrol?

We've made the enrolment process as easy as possible. All you have to do is contact a SEEK Learning consultant and indicate which course you're interested in.

Is there an enrolment closing date?

Our courses are offered via distance learning so enrolment is available all year round - you decide when to start your course!

How long will my course take?

It all depends on the amount of time you dedicate to your studies. As a general guide, students usually complete their courses in two years, but because distance learning is flexible, there are no formal completion dates. You can get your TAFE certificate or diploma in 6 months, a year or two years - it's all up to you.

Certificate course students do need to complete their course within 2 years and Diploma course students within 3 years. These timeframes are ample and include the need for students to break from study from time to time.

How do I get my course materials?

Once your enrolment has been confirmed, OTEN will provide you with all your learning materials. All printed materials and CDs will be mailed to you. You'll also receive details from OTEN on how to access your online learning materials.

What kind of student support is available?

To help you achieve your goals, expert teacher support is on hand. If you're experiencing difficulties, you can contact a teacher or use the OTEN Learning Support site (OLS) for help. When you enrol, details are supplied enabling you to access this website. You'll also be able to get updates on your course and study progress via the OLS.

Student support is available from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm throughout the year. Emails are generally responded to within one business day.

Do I need to attend classes?

Our TAFE courses are offered via distance learning, so there are no formal classes to attend.

Are there exams, and if so, where do I sit for them?

Some of our courses have examinations. You can sit for them at your nearest TAFE centre, or arrange a suitable location with your teacher to suit your convenience.

Can I do more than 1 course at a time?

While most people only have the time to do one course at a time, you are free to enrol for more if you wish.

What if I need to stop studying for a while due to commitments?

Distance learning puts you in charge, so you set the pace at which you study. Because it's flexible, you can complete the course between 6 months and 2 years it all depends on the amount of time you dedicate to your studies. Most courses are completed within 2 years, which is usually more than enough time. If you do exceed this time frame, an additional administration fee may apply.

Will I get credit for my previous study/work experience?

TAFE NSW recognises the skills and knowledge that you have gained through previous studies, work and life experiences. If you are granted recognition in a unit of competency, you do not have to re-study it. Contact a SEEK Learning consultant to find out more.

When will I receive my diploma/certificate?

OTEN TAFE qualifications are issued all year round upon completion of the course.

What do my fees cover?

Your one-off fee covers all textbooks and learning materials as well as 24-hour student support.

Is there any financial assistance/government grant I can apply for?

Vocational Education and Training (VET) FEE-HELP is available for most OTEN diploma courses. Almost every Australian citizen is eligible for Government assistance through VET FEE-HELP, meaning you do not have to pay unit costs upfront. Instead, the total cost of your unit fees can be repaid through the taxation system.

You may also be eligible for Austudy, Abstudy and Youth Allowance. Applications for these are assessed by Centrelink, so you should contact your nearest Centrelink office to discuss your eligibility.

In addition, SEEK Learning provides a finance option from Lombard Finance in Australia. Contact a SEEK Learning consultant now for more information or to discuss your eligibility.

Contact a SEEK Learning consultant if you have any other enquiries.