SydneyNSW · City
- The widest choice of colleges and universities
- A big city job market
- The highest rents in the country, so budget carefully
- Our office is in Strathfield, close to the city
Home / Pathways
Study pathways, mapped.
Most international students don't go straight from A to Z. They step up through certificates, diplomas and degrees, and every step can earn credit toward the next. Here's how the levels connect.
Routes by career
Choose a field to see a typical route. Each college sets its own entry rules and credit, so use this as a starting point for your counselling session.
Business
VET to university- Certificate IV in BusinessAQF 4
- Diploma of BusinessAQF 5
- Advanced Diploma of BusinessAQF 6
- Bachelor of BusinessAQF 7
Many universities give credit for a business diploma or advanced diploma, so you may start your bachelor's degree partway through. Each university decides its own credit.
Information technology
VET to university- Certificate IV in Information TechnologyAQF 4
- Diploma of Information TechnologyAQF 5
- Advanced Diploma of Information TechnologyAQF 6
- Bachelor of Information TechnologyAQF 7
IT diplomas often earn credit toward a bachelor's degree. Check which specialisation each course teaches, such as networking, cyber security or programming.
Early childhood education
VET to university- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and CareAQF 3
- Diploma of Early Childhood Education and CareAQF 5
- Bachelor of Early Childhood EducationAQF 7
To work in early childhood education, your qualification needs to be approved by ACECQA, the national authority for the sector. We check this before you enrol.
Hospitality and cookery
VET- Certificate III in Commercial CookeryAQF 3
- Certificate IV in Kitchen ManagementAQF 4
- Diploma of Hospitality ManagementAQF 5
- Advanced Diploma of Hospitality ManagementAQF 6
Cookery courses include practical kitchen training and a work placement. Ask each college where its kitchens are and how placements are arranged.
Aged care and community services
VET to university- Certificate III in Individual SupportAQF 3
- Certificate IV in Ageing SupportAQF 4
- Diploma of Community ServicesAQF 5
- Bachelor of Social WorkAQF 7
Care courses include a work placement. A community services diploma can earn credit toward some social work and community services degrees.
Nursing
VET to university- Diploma of NursingAQF 5Enrolled nurse
- Bachelor of NursingAQF 7Registered nurse
- Graduate CertificateAQF 8Specialise
To work as a nurse you also need registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, which has its own English language requirements. Plan for this from the start.
Accounting
VET to postgraduate- Diploma of AccountingAQF 5
- Advanced Diploma of AccountingAQF 6
- Bachelor of AccountingAQF 7
- Master of Professional AccountingAQF 9
If you want to become a CPA or Chartered Accountant, choose a degree accredited by CPA Australia or CA ANZ.
Building and construction
VET to university- Certificate IV in Building and ConstructionAQF 4
- Diploma of Building and ConstructionAQF 5
- Advanced Diploma of Building and Construction (Management)AQF 6
- Bachelor of Construction ManagementAQF 7
These courses suit people who want to supervise or manage building work. Builder licensing rules are set by each state.
Qualification levels
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) puts every qualification on a 10-level scale. Knowing the level of your last qualification tells you where you can step in next.
International students usually start at Certificate III or above, and the course must be registered on CRICOS.
Lengths are the AQF's typical full-time ranges. Your course may differ.
- 1Certificate IBasic skills for first jobs0.5–1 yr
- 2Certificate IISkills for routine work0.5–1 yr
- 3Certificate IIITrade and job skills with some theory1–2 yrs
- 4Certificate IVSpecialised skills, often for supervisors0.5–2 yrs
- 5DiplomaAdvanced skills and a common step into a degree1–2 yrs
- 6Advanced Diploma, Associate DegreeBroad, specialised knowledge1.5–2 yrs
- 7Bachelor DegreeProfessional and academic knowledge3–4 yrs
- 8Honours, Graduate Certificate, Graduate DiplomaGo deeper or change field after a degree0.5–2 yrs
- 9Master's DegreeSpecialist knowledge for a profession or research1–2 yrs
- 10Doctoral DegreeOriginal research, such as a PhD3–4 yrs
VET or university?
Both lead to good careers. The right choice depends on how you like to learn, what you want to do and what you can spend.
| Vocational (VET) | Higher education | |
|---|---|---|
| Who teaches | TAFE institutes and private registered training organisations (RTOs) | Universities and other higher education providers |
| How you learn | Practical, built around specific jobs | Academic, with more theory, research and independent study |
| Qualifications | Certificates I to IV, diplomas and advanced diplomas | Diplomas, associate degrees, bachelor's degrees and above |
| Regulator | ASQA, the Australian Skills Quality Authority | TEQSA, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency |
| Good for | Hands-on careers, and a lower-cost step into a degree | Professions that need a degree, and postgraduate study |
| If you hold a student visa | The provider and the course must both be registered on CRICOS, the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. | |
Where to study
We support students in New South Wales and Tasmania. Here's how the three options compare.
Regional NSWNSW · Regional
- Newcastle, Wollongong, Wagga Wagga and other cities
- Lower rent than Sydney in most areas
- Smaller campuses and fewer course choices
- Ask a migration agent how regional study may affect your visa options
TasmaniaTAS · Island
- Campuses in Hobart and Launceston
- Lower living costs than Sydney
- A slower, quieter pace of life
- Ask a migration agent how studying in Tasmania may affect your visa options
Pathway finder
Answer four quick questions for a suggested starting point. Then bring it to a free education counselling session and we will check it against real courses.