What is VETDSS?
Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS) gives Year 10, 11 and 12 students the opportunity to complete a nationally recognised qualification while working towards their Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE).
By combining classroom learning with hands-on practical training, VETDSS helps students develop industry skills, explore career options and gain valuable experience before finishing school.
Why choose VETDSS?
With VETDSS, you can:
- Gain a nationally recognised qualification while completing your WACE.
- Learn practical, job-ready skills in a hands-on training environment.
- Be taught by experienced industry professionals.
- Explore career pathways before leaving school.
- Attend TAFE one or two days each week.
- Create pathways to apprenticeships, traineeships, further study or employment.
VETDSS is a fantastic opportunity to build your skills, discover your interests and take the first step towards your future career.
Explore Your Course Options
South Regional TAFE offers a wide range of VETDSS courses across a variety of industry areas, giving you the opportunity to explore your interests while developing practical, job-ready skills.
Where Can You Study?
VETDSS courses are delivered across 10 South Regional TAFE campuses, providing students with access to training in a broad range of industries and career pathways.
Great Southern Region - Course Offering Overview (155 KB) (PDF document - opens in a new tab)
South West Region - Course Offering Overview (259 KB) (PDF document - opens in a new tab)
2027 VETDSS Applications now open
Applications for 2027 VETDSS courses open on Wednesday, 29 July 2026 and close at 3.00 pm on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.
Application Information for 2027 VETDSS (99 KB) (PDF document - opens in a new tab)
Applying to a Great Southern Campus?
If you'd like to study at Albany, Denmark, Esperance, Katanning or Narrogin, use the application link below to submit your 2027 VETDSS application.
South Regional TAFE - Great Southern - 2027 VETDSS Application Form(opens in a new tab)
Applying to a South West Campus?
If you'd like to study at Bunbury, Busselton, Collie, Manjimup or Margaret River, use the application link below to submit your 2027 VETDSS application.
South Regional TAFE - South West - 2027 VETDSS Application Form(opens in a new tab)
VETDSS Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re in Year 10 or Year 11 and thinking about studying a VETDSS course at South Regional TAFE, you probably have a few questions. This page explains the most common things students and families ask about VETDSS, including who can apply, how to apply, competitive courses, interviews, fees, work placement and what happens after you submit your application. It’s designed to help you understand the process and feel confident about choosing the right pathway for Year 11 or Year 12.
How to apply
2027 VETDSS Applications now open
VETDSS Applications open 29 July and close 19 August 2026.
To apply, speak with your school's VET Coordinator. They will guide you through the application process and assist you with submitting your application to study at South Regional TAFE.
Preparing for the VETDSS Intake
The VETDSS Intake is your opportunity to apply for a vocational course at South Regional TAFE while you are still at school. Before you start your application, make sure you have your Unique Student Identifier (USI), SCSA or student ID number, school attendance percentage, NAPLAN/OLNA results, and your Semester 1 English and Mathematics grades ready. You should also spend time preparing a short student statement, explaining why you are interested in the course and why you would be a good fit. Having this information ready will make the application process much easier and help you submit a strong application.
The PAiS program gives you, as a Year 11 or 12 student, the opportunity to begin training towards a trade or industry career while still at school.
You will attend South Regional TAFE for hands-on and theory-based learning two days per week with qualified lecturers, while continuing your school studies.
Once you are ready and approved, your training schedule will transition to one day per week at TAFE, alongside one day in industry. At this stage, one of your TAFE days will be replaced with a compulsory work placement, giving you valuable real-world experience, helping you build job-ready skills, and connecting you with potential employers.
The program also contributes to your WACE points and helps you explore a clear career pathway, particularly into an apprenticeship after school, while giving you a strong foundation for your future studies and employment.
If you need help deciding what to do after school, talk to your school's VET Coordinator or Careers Counsellor. They can give you more information on TAFE and put you in touch with one of our Jobs and Skills Centres(opens in a new tab) .
The Jobs and Skills Centre can also give you more information on:
- Education and training courses
- Career directions and learning options
- Career planning and decision making.
Staff at the Jobs and Skills Centre use an ongoing process to help you manage and adapt your work and learning choices to your changing circumstances and to the wider environmental conditions. It can be used for all work and learning decisions, big or small.
The South Regional TAFE Jobs and Skills Centres provide free:
- Career information and guidance
- Training and course information
- Help to choose the right training course or qualification to suit your personal, work or career goals
- Help with job searching and job matching
- Skills and qualification recognition information
- Apprenticeship and traineeship assistance
- Culturally sensitive employment and career services for Aboriginal people.
South Regional TAFE Jobs and Skills Centres are situated at our Albany and Bunbury campuses.
Further information
Please contact your School VET Coordinator directly, or contact our Course Information Services teams below.
Email: vetdss.applications@srtafe.wa.edu.au
Phone:
South West: (08) 6371 3070
Great Southern: (08) 6371 3870