Vocational Education

Students can combine paid employment with their school studies through a School-Based Apprenticeship (SBA), gaining valuable industry experience while earning QCE credits.

To begin this process, a student must first find an employer who is willing to take them on as a school-based apprentice or trainee. With the support of their employer, the student must then identify a suitable Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that delivers the required qualification.

The RTO is responsible for contacting the school to arrange a formal meeting where the student, parent or guardian, employer, and school representative review the proposed arrangement. During this meeting, all parties agree on the training schedule, workplace hours, and assessment requirements, and a Flexible Agreed Arrangement (FAA) is completed to align the student's school timetable with their training and work commitments.

Cairns SDE must be involved in the meeting and approve and sign off on all School-Based Apprenticeships or Traineeships before they can officially commence.

What is the difference between an Apprenticeship and a Traineeship?

The only difference is the National Training Package connected to the qualification. Both are fully funded, part-time training arrangements that include a maximum of 8 hours of paid work during school hours per week.

For School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships, visit the Australian Apprenticeships and Traineeships website

Work Experience provides students with the opportunity to explore career interests in a real workplace setting and develop the employability skills required for future pathways.

Work Experience is offered to Year 10 students in Term 2, Week 10, and preparation begins in Term 4 of Year 9 through Connect classes.

Students who do not live in Queensland should contact the school for further information regarding the insurance process for interstate placements.

Students can participate in structured workplace learning relevant to their career goals, supported by the Cairns SDE VET Team. Placements are arranged through consultation between the student, parent or guardian, and the host employer, ensuring the experience aligns with the student's studies and is conducted in a safe, supportive environment.

All placements must be risk assessed and approved by Cairns SDE before commencing, and therefore the Cairns SDE VET Head of Department requires at least five weeks to complete the risk assessment process to ensure the wellbeing and safety of the student and host business.

Work Experience is generally undertaken over five days but may be extended through a collaborative, consultative process. If the request is valid and falls within the Queensland Department of Education's guidelines and policies, it may be approved by the school. 

Students are encouraged to reflect on their experiences and link their learning to potential VET pathways or School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBAs).

For more information, please email the Cairns SDE VET team​

Getting started in VET is a collaborative process between the student, family, Cairns SDE, and the partner RTO.

1. Explore the My Future website and discuss career interests with your family.

2. Attend assemblies and Connect lessons to stay informed about courses offered, application deadlines, and career opportunities through VET.

3. Explore course options with approved RTOs (e.g., TAFE Queensland, IVET (from 2026), or other RTOs). Note: TAFE has a separate application and school-approval process.

4. Complete required documentation (e.g., FAA – Flexible Agreed Arrangement, TAFE Schools Application) and align the timetable.

5. Create or verify your USI (Unique Student Identifier) so credits can be banked toward the QCE.

6. Obtain Cairns SDE approval/sign-off for external VET, SBAs/SATs, or Work experience.

7. Attend Cairns SDE’s JET (Year 9 into Year 10) or SET Plan (Year 10 into Year 11) subject selection sessions and interviews to ensure you receive accurate guidance about your future career pathway — whether continuing with Cairns SDE or transitioning elsewhere. These sessions help you plan a coordinated and well-supported pathway that aligns with Education Queensland’s policies and procedures for both compulsory and post-compulsory schooling years.

8. Finalise enrolment with the RTO and commence training. Cairns SDE will monitor progress and QCE credits.

For more information, please email the Cairns SDE VET team​

At Cairns School of Distance Education, Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications contribute directly toward a student's Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). Credits are allocated by the Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority (QCAA) and depend on the qualification level and the competencies achieved.

Certificate I Qualifications
Certificate I qualifications generally contribute 2 QCE credits. Credits are awarded once the required units of competency have been successfully achieved.

Certificate II Qualifications
Certificate II qualifications generally contribute up to 4 QCE credits. Students receive the full 4 credits once all required competencies are achieved and the qualification is completed.

Certificate III Qualifications
Certificate III qualifications contribute up to 8 QCE credits. Full completion of the qualification is required to receive all 8 credits.

Course Duration
Certificate courses are typically delivered over one or two years. Some students may complete a two-year course in a shorter timeframe (e.g., 18 months) if they remain highly engaged and complete competencies early.

When Credits Are Added
In most cases, QCE credits are uploaded either at the end of the school year or as soon as the student completes the qualification. Once the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) issues the Certificate or Record of Results, it is uploaded directly to the student's QCAA Student Learning Account, and credits automatically appear in their QCE account.

Important Notes
Credits are awarded for competencies achieved, not just enrolment. Partial completion may still result in some QCE credits if eligible units have been achieved.

Below are some of the most common questions students and families ask about Vocational Education and Training (VET) at Cairns SDE. These responses are designed to help you understand how VET works within our school and how it connects to QCE, ATAR, and future career pathways.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Can I do more than one certificate course at a time?
A: Yes, however, the courses must come from different Training Packages (Industries) to be eligible for additional QCE credits.

Q: How much time each week should I expect to spend on my VET course?
A: Students are expected to dedicate regular study time each week to meet course deadlines and assessment requirements. VET follows adult learning expectations, meaning students must take responsibility for managing their workload and meeting due dates. Certificate III and IV courses generally require double the timetabled time within your Year 10, 11, or 12 schedule. Students should also allow extra time to redo a module if needed — VET trainees have the opportunity to resubmit twice to successfully achieve competency.

Q: Who approves my VET enrolment?
A: All VET enrolments require Cairns SDE approval before training begins to ensure alignment with your timetable, workload, and Education Queensland policies.

Q: Can I complete VET if I live outside Queensland?
A: Yes, however, additional arrangements may be required for insurance and supervision, so please email the Cairns SDE VET Team​ for guidance.

VET courses require trainees to achieve competency in each module to successfully complete their Certificate training and must ensure that all work is submitted on time. See the Assessment Policy for further information.

Contact Information

For general enquiries or support:
📧 vet@cairnssde.eq.edu.au​
☎️ (07) 4080 9111


Glossary
VET: Vocational Education and Training
RTO: Registered Training Organisation
FAA: Flexible Agreed Arrangement
QCE: Queensland Certificate of Education
USI: Unique Student Identifier