College in Australia

The Australian college system is based on vocational education programs that can be used for employment or as the basis for further academic study. A very small number of colleges in Australia can award degrees. These include tertiary institutions that use the name 'College' such as some medical schools and art schools. Along with this the name 'College' is also used by some secondary schools (Years 7 to Year 12 - for students from about 12 years old up until about 18 years old).

Otherwise colleges refers to post-secondary institutions that offer non-degree based qualifications. The programs offered by these colleges can be used as employment-based training and qualifications or to enter one of the universities and in that way achieve a degree-level qualification.

Most of the publicly funded colleges come under the control of the various state governments which administer the TAFE sector of higher education. TAFE, or Technical and Further Education, has grown rapidly over recent years as students seek a combination of vocational education and a stepping stone into degree-level studies at university. Many TAFE colleges use the name 'Institute' rather than 'College' to differentiate themselves from secondary-level colleges.

After the diploma and advanced diploma levels a student may be eligible for entry into a university and may also be eligible for credit, in some cases full credit for work already completed.

Australian Colleges are therefore an excellent choice for students who want to get real experience in the vocation of their choice before they either commence employment or pursue further university-level studies

Australia's Vocational Education and Training (VET) system is often referred to as Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) in other countries. It delivers training that is both practical and career-oriented. Students can develop their own career path through study and a mix of study and work.

VET courses are provided by both public institutions called TAFE Institutes and private colleges. All institutes and colleges are subject to Government monitoring to ensure high standards.

Australian VET graduates are able to seek employment with the knowledge that their skills are those demanded by employers. Under Australia's national qualifications framework graduates can also progress into higher level courses including entry into universities for Diploma and Bachelor degree courses.

There are numerous colleges in Australia as they are used both as vocational education institutions and also as bridging institutions between grade schools and universities. This is a list of Australian TAFE colleges that has been sorted into states to make it easier to find a college that meets your requirements.

New South Wales (NSW) Colleges of TAFE
Hunter Institute Hunter
Illawarra Institute Illawarr
New England Institute New England
North Coast Institute NCI
Northern Sydney Institute NSIT
Open Training & Education Network OTEN-DE
Riverina Institute RIT
South Western Sydney Institute SWSI
Southern Sydney Institute SSI
Sydney Institute SIT
Western Institute WIT
Western Sydney Institute WSI

Victoria (VIC) Colleges of TAFE
Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE BRIT
Central Gippsland Institute of TAFE [Gipps TAFE]
Chisholm Institute of TAFE [Chisholm]
East Gippsland Institute of TAFE [East Gippsland TAFE]
Gordon Institute of TAFE [Gordon]
Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE [GO TAFE]
Holmesglen Institute of TAFE [Holmesglen]
Institute of Land and Resources (TAFE) [LandFood]
Kangan Batman Institute of TAFE [Kangan]
NMIT (Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE) [NMIT]
RMIT TAFE [RMIT TAFE]
South West Institute of TAFE [SWIT]
Sunraysia Institute of TAFE [SuniTAFE]
Swinburne University of Technology TAFE [Swinburne TAFE]
University of Ballarat (TAFE) [Ballarat TAFE]
Victoria University (TAFE) [VU TAFE]
William Angliss Institute of TAFE [William Angliss]
Wodonga Institute of TAFE [Wodonga TAFE]

Queensland (QLD) Colleges of TAFE
Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE [Barrier Reef]
Central Queensland Institute of TAFE [CQIT]
Cooloola Sunshine Institute of TAFE [CSIT]
Gold Coast Institute of TAFE [GCIT]
Logan Institute of TAFE [Logan]
Moreton Institute of TAFE [Morton
Mt. Isa Institute of TAFE [MTISA]
Open Learning Institute of TAFE [OLI]
Southbank Institute of TAFE [SOUTHBANK]
Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE [SQIT]
The Bremer Institute of TAFE [Bremer]
Tropical North Institute of TAFE [TNQIT]
Wide Bay Institute of TAFE [WIDE BAY]
Yeronga Institute of TAFE [YERONGA]

Canberra (ACT) Colleges of TAFE
Canberra Institute of Technology [CIT]
Western Australia (WA) Colleges of TAFE
Central TAFE [CENTRAL]
Central West College of TAFE [CENTRAL WEST]
Challenger TAFE [CHALLENGER]
Eastern Pilbara College of TAFE [Eastern Pilbara]
Great Southern TAFE [GREAT SOUTHERN]
Kimberley College of TAFE [KIMTAFE]
Midland College of TAFE [MIDLAND]
South East Metropolitan College of TAFE [SEMC]
South West Regional College of TAFE [SWRC]
West Coast College of TAFE [WEST COAST]
West Pilbara College of TAFE [WEST PILBARA]

South Australia (SA) Colleges of TAFE
Adelaide Institute of TAFE [AIT]
Douglas Mawson Institute of TAFE [MAWSON]
Murray Institute of TAFE [MURRAY]
Onkaparinga Institute of TAFE [ONKAPARINGA]
Regency Institute of TAFE [REGENCY]
South East Institute of TAFE [SOUTH-EAST]
Spencer Institute of TAFE [SPENCER]
Torrens Valley Institute of TAFE [TORRENS]

Tasmania (TAS) Colleges of TAFE
The Institute of TAFE Tasmania [TAFE TASMANIA]

Nothern Territory (NT) Colleges of TAFE
Centralian College [CENTRALIAN]Northern Territory University TAFE [NTU TAFE]