Editing Technical and further education (section)

==Qualifications awarded by TAFE colleges==
TAFE colleges award Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications accredited in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector that align to Certificate I, Certificate II, Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma qualifications.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aqf.edu.au/register/about/|title=About the AQF Register|access-date=17 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704223551/http://www.aqf.edu.au/register/about/|archive-date=4 July 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In many instances, TAFE study at a Diploma or above level can be used as partial credit towards bachelor's degree-level university programs.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

From 2002 the TAFE education sector has been able to offer bachelor's degrees and post-graduate diploma courses to fill niche areas, particularly vocationally focused areas of study based on industry needs. As of June 2009, ten TAFE colleges (mainly in New South Wales<ref>{{cite web|title=TAFE NSW Higher Education|url=http://www.highered.tafensw.edu.au/}}</ref> and Victoria, but also Western Australia, ACT, and Queensland) now confer their own degree-level awards and post graduate diplomas, though initially not beyond the level of bachelor's degree. However [[Melbourne Polytechnic]] was accredited in 2015 to offer two master's degree courses.<ref name="annualreport2014p22">Melbourne Polytechnic Annual Report p. 22</ref> Similarly, some universities (e.g., [[Charles Darwin University]] and [[RMIT University|Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology]]) offer vocational education courses (traditionally the domain of TAFE); these are funded by the local state and territory governments. Some high schools also deliver courses developed and accredited by TAFEs.<ref name="theage2002">"[http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/07/24/1027332400427.html TAFE gears up to offer degrees]" by Rebecca Scott, ''[[The Age]]'', 24 July 2002. Accessed 3 August 2008.</ref><ref name="highered_in_tafe">Leesa Wheelahan, Gavin Moodie, [[Stephen Billett]] and Ann Kelly, ''[http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2167.html Higher education in TAFE] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515174100/http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2167.html |date=15 May 2013 }}'', research report published by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), 3 September 2009. Accessed 24 September 2009.</ref>
 
Students who enrol in these undergraduate degree courses at TAFE are required to pay full fees and are not entitled to [[Tertiary education fees in Australia|Commonwealth Government supported student fee loans]], known as HECS loans, but may access a FEE-HELP loan scheme.<ref>See Department of Education, Employment, and Workplace Relations, ''[http://www.goingtouni.gov.au/Main/FeesLoansAndScholarships/Undergraduate/FullFeesAndFEE-HELP/FullFeesAndFeeHELP.htm Full Fees and FEE-HELP]'' ({{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202084140/http://www.goingtouni.gov.au/Main/FeesLoansAndScholarships/Undergraduate/FullFeesAndFEE-HELP/FullFeesAndFeeHELP.htm |date=2 February 2010 }}), goingtouni.gov.au website. Accessed 19 September 2011.</ref> While Universities have the ability and power to design and offer their own degree courses, each TAFE degree course must be assessed and approved by the Higher Education Accreditation Committee (HEAC).<ref name="theage2002" />

TAFEs in some states can also teach senior high school qualifications, like the [[Victorian Certificate of Education]], [[Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning]], and the [[Higher School Certificate (New South Wales)|Higher School Certificate]]. Some universities, e.g. [[Charles Darwin University]] and [[RMIT University|Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology]], offer TAFE courses; these are funded by the local state and territory governments. Some high schools also deliver courses developed and accredited by TAFEs.

Some private institutions also offer courses from TAFEs, however they more commonly offer other [[vocational education and training]] courses. Before the 1990s, the TAFEs had a near monopoly in the sector. TAFE courses provide students an opportunity for certificate, diploma, and advanced diploma qualifications in a wide range of areas.