Traditionally, VET courses are known to focus more on providing practical and work-orientated occupational skills, whereas university or higher education courses are better known for focusing on providing theory-based knowledge and professional career paths. There are many exceptions to this rule, however, because VET covers such a wide range of different courses and qualifications.

VET courses cover:

• basic life skills, even literacy and numeracy training (such as pre-vocational training or foundation studies)
• basic vocational skills for particular occupations (such as floristry and automotive)
• semi-professional vocational training (such as business advertising, and occupational health and safety)
• study areas with a practical focus (such as viticulture, music and hospitality).

VET courses, particularly at the diploma and advanced diploma level, can often lead into higher education courses such as bachelor degrees. Most VET courses are part of national training packages that are updated regularly in consultation with relevant industry bodies. They also follow the same curriculum wherever you study them, so you can transfer your credits to an identical program at a different organization.