Minimum Entry Requirements
This guide provides a summary of the minimum entry requirements (MER) and selection processes for TAFE SA courses that may assist prospective students in selecting their career path.
A minimum standard of English literacy is also required for entry into Certificate II and above courses.
Most TAFE SA courses have MER. MER is the mechanism used to predict an applicant’s ability to successfully undertake the studies they are pursuing.
The grids are general and are listed by the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level from Certificate I to Vocational Graduate levels.
Cohorts
Applicants are grouped into 3 cohorts by qualification type;
- School,
- Tertiary and
- Other.
Each cohort is then assessed and ranked against other applicants in the same cohort.
School Leavers
School leavers may receive additional points for their Year 12 studies for all courses. For selection into Certificate I and Certificate II courses Year 11 subject results may be used. Bonus points are awarded for specified senior secondary subjects depending on the course applied for.
Tertiary Applicants
Tertiary applicants may earn points depending on the level and area of previous study. Additional points are awarded for qualifications in the same or related areas.
Each AQF qualification level selection grid is linked to the list of specified school subjects and same/related areas for tertiary studies. The courses are clearly distinguished by full title, their TAFE SA codes, national codes and course level.
Other Applicants
Applicants who do not have school or tertiary studies can sit a TAFE SA Assessment of Basic Skills (TABS) to meet the MER.
Some courses do not accept TABS so applicants can sit a Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) instead.
A STAT can also be used instead of TABS for any course that accepts TABS.
Offers will generally be made on a proportional basis e.g. if 20% of eligible applicants for a course are in the school results cohort, 20% of offers will generally be made to this cohort.