The TAFE pathway to a vocation or higher education

TAFE means Technical and Further Education. In Australia, TAFE institutes not only provide a practical alternative to university study that leads to a huge variety of jobs, they can also help international students improve their chances of further study in university . TAFE institutes offer many certificate, diploma and even some degree courses that equip students with work-based skills and vocational training for a wide range of careers. TAFE New South Wales (TAFE NSW) is one of the largest government-owned vocational education and training providers in Australia. Each year, more than 500,000 students choose to study with TAFE NSW, trusting TAFE NSW to give them a better future through nationally recognised courses and quality training. The students enrol into an extensive range of courses, starting from Accounting, Business, Early Childhood Education and Fashion, to Animal Care, Automotive, Information Technology and many others. TAFE NSW also has strong industry connections with thousands of employers, thus students have access to the latest technologies, work with the newest equipment and get real workplace knowledge and experience to launch their new international careers and to make the process of finding a job easier. TAFE NSW has over 130 locations across New South Wales. International students can choose from over 70 of these locations in Sydney and regional cities and towns. Students who enjoy the highlights of city life with a global atmosphere can head for one of the four TAFE NSW institutes, each with more than one campus, in the Sydney metropolitan area, such as TAFE Ultimo, which is located in the Sydney CBD. Courses that are popular among international students at TAFE Ultimo are Commercial Cookery, Design (Interior and Graphic), Hospitality Management, Human Resource Management, Information Technology Networking, Marketing and Website Development. If the city lifestyle is not the preference, TAFE regional campuses offer a perfect solution. Studying in a TAFE regional campus, students can escape the big city lights and be close to natural wonders – pristine beaches, tropical forests and mountains. TAFE in regional NSW offers courses in Civil Construction and Civil Engineering, Community Services, Cookery, Dental Technology, Early Childhood Education, Healthcare, Hospitality, Natural Environment and Primary Industries. Those who have completed study in TAFE regional campuses may even be eligible for Regional Skilled Migration visas and state sponsorships, offering an eventual pathway to temporary or permanent residency.