TAFE SA offers courses at a range of levels from Certificate I to Advanced Diploma and Degree. Many awards are nested, meaning that the lower level certificate is incorporated into the one above. This allows you to complete the required Certificates in sequence and progress through to the higher level awards, like Advanced Diploma. If you successfully complete a Certificate level course, you will generally be allowed direct entry to the next level. Alternatively, you may enter at Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Degree level if you meet the entry requirements. In this case, you may still be able to exit early with a lower level qualification if you choose.

AQF qualification by sector of accreditation

TAFE SA qualifications are developed in conjunction with industry to ensure that you will be ready for the workplace, with knowledge and skills you can use on the job. Each qualification level involves an increasing degree of skills and responsibilities, and there are pathways and links between them to increase your career opportunities.

Certificate I

This first level will train you in some basic skills and routine tasks which are performed under direct supervision in the workplace.

Certificate II

At this level, you will acquire operational knowledge and develop higher skills for solving a variety of straightforward work-based problems with supervision.

Certificate III

At this level you will acquire additional theoretical knowledge and develop higher skills for solving a variety of problems using discretion and judgement, now under a limited degree of supervision.

Certificate IV

At this level you develop a broad knowledge base and learn to analyse and evaluate information and to apply your knowledge and skills to a wide variety of workplace contexts. You will also begin to take limited responsibility for other staff.

Diploma

A diploma will give you broad theoretical knowledge and/or substantial technical or creative skills. Analysis, judgement and planning are involved across a broad range of technical and/or management situations.

Advanced Diploma

This qualification will give you the ability to apply fundamental principles and complex techniques in a wide range of contexts. You will gain an understanding of specialist knowledge and will be able to execute judgements, analyse information and be accountable for personal outputs as well as group outcomes. Graduates are expected to work autonomously in complex technical operations and take some responsibility for achieving group outcomes. You will gain skills and knowledge for a para professional career or a management role.

Bachelor Degree

This qualification gives you a systematic and coherent body of knowledge and academic skills to undertake research. You will have the ability to review, consolidate, extend and apply the knowledge and techniques you learn in a professional context, and will be given a solid foundation for self directed and lifelong learning.

Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate

TAFE SA offers a small number of Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates to students who have completed a degree or have the equivalent of a degree through experience and other qualifications. This level broadens your existing skills or develops vocational knowledge and skills in a new professional area. For more information on Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates offered by TAFE SA, please contact your local campus or TAFE SA Information.