There are three main types of tertiary institutions: university, TAFE and independent tertiary colleges. You will find information about each institution on the pages listed below. In CourseSearch, you can find all the courses they offer with applications through VTAC.

If you want to know the location of any of the institutions, use our maps.

The information below is for applicants applying for undergraduate courses. If you are looking for postgraduate teaching courses, visit the GET section.

Participating Institutions

• Academia International
• Australian Academy of Design
• Australian Catholic University
• Australian College of Sports Therapy
• Australian Guild of Music Education
• Australian Institute of Fitness
• Australian Maritime College
• Bendigo TAFE
• Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School
• Box Hill Institute
• Carrick Institute of Education
• Charles Sturt University
• Chisholm Institute
• Deakin University
• East Gippsland TAFE
• Elly Lukas Beauty Therapy College
• Eltham College Training Services
• Endeavour College of Natural Health
• Footscray City Films
• GippsTAFE – Central Gippsland Institute of TAFE
• Gordon (The)
• Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE
• Grenadi School of Design
• Holmes Institute
• Holmesglen
• International College of Hotel Management
• JMC Academy
• Kangan Institute
• La Trobe University
• Max Therapy Institute
• Melbourne Institute of Business and Technology
• Melbourne Institute of Technology
• Monash College
• Monash University
• Navitas College of Public Safety
• Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE
• Oceania Polytechnic Institute of Education
• Ozford College of Business
• Photographic Imaging College – PIC
• Photography Studies College
• Qantm College
• RMIT University
• SAE Institute
• South West Institute of TAFE
• Southern School of Natural Therapies
• Stott’s Colleges
• Sunraysia Institute of TAFE
• Swinburne University of Technology
• University of Ballarat
• University of Melbourne (The)
• Victoria University
• Victorian Institute of Technology
• William Angliss Institute of TAFE
• Wodonga Institute of TAFE

It is important to note that providers may be offering vocational education and training (VET) courses only, higher education courses only, or both. For more information see course types.

Higher education courses

Higher education courses provide professional qualifications with an emphasis on theory and the development of transferable skills. Some courses are vocational, leading to careers in clearly identified areas (e.g. Accounting) while others are 'generalist' with no particular vocational skills component. Further training is sometimes needed on completion of these courses to gain workplace skills.

A basic undergraduate degree usually requires a minimum of three to four years full-time study. Many courses such as combined degrees and industry-based learning (work experience) degrees are longer.

Vocational Education Training (VET) courses

VET providers offer both professional and para-professional courses with an emphasis on practical skills and vocational outcomes that lead into higher level training, higher education and/or employment. All courses offer current training for employment involving expertise in a particular skill area. The structure of these courses closely matches the requirements of industry and the variety of study areas reflects a wide range of employment areas. In all instances, qualifications are designed in close consultation with industry to ensure the training is current and relevant. They may also be work-based or involve a work placement.

Teaching styles

• University teaching styles vary, however they generally include formal lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical workshops and/or laboratory classes and work experience placements.
• TAFE teaching styles involve small classes, individual attention and diverse programs. They are devised to ensure that they are highly accessible, provide a range of pathways and ensure practical learning while bridging the gap between work and education.
• Independent tertiary colleges offer a diverse range of teaching styles including lectures, workshops, laboratory classes, seminars, small group tutorials, practical work placements, industry visits and self-paced virtual classrooms. Courses may lead to employment or further study at degree and/or postgraduate level. A number of these courses offer credit transfer arrangements with other institutions

For further information about higher education and VET courses through VTAC see CourseSearch. For general VET course enquiries telephone 131 823.