Studying a course at TAFE is a great way to give your career a kick start. Whether you’re planning to take your work in a new direction or need to advance your skills in your current industry, a TAFE course is an excellent way to develop your skills and further your knowledge. Many students already know what they’re interested in studying, but others are open to ideas on what course would suit their needs. If you’re unsure which TAFE qualification would be best for you, here are some of the most popular choices for further study:

Diploma of Counselling

A Diploma of Counselling is a great course for people interested in helping clients through personal and psychological issues. You’ll be prepared to work as a counsellor, family support worker, mental health worker and relationship counsellor in a range of settings from government agencies to community centres. The Diploma of Counselling will give you the skills to use various counselling techniques to address the individual needs of your clients.

Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping

The Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping can help you advance your career in the accounting sector. This entry-level course covers topics including preparing and lodging activity statements, maintaining balance sheets and providing tax advice. You’ll develop the skills to carry out modern bookkeeping tasks in roles such as payroll officer, bookkeeper, accounts officer or accounts receivable officer.

Certificate III in School Based Education Support

If you enjoy helping children and young people with their learning needs, a Certificate III in School Based Education Support could be a good choice for you. This course will give you the skills to work as a teacher aide, teacher assistant or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education worker in a primary or secondary school or other educational facility. You’ll learn strategies for supporting literacy and numeracy development and techniques for assisting students with additional needs.

Certificate IV in Mental Health

A Certificate IV in Mental Health can prepare you to support clients living with mental illness or a psychiatric disability. You might be employed as a mental health worker, outreach worker, social worker or family support worker. This qualification covers topics including trauma-informed care and drug and alcohol issues. You’ll undertake work placements where you can practise your skills in building relationships, working collaboratively and supporting diverse cultural groups.

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is an ideal qualification if you’re planning to work in an early childhood education setting as a childcare assistant, early childhood educator or nanny. This course will develop your knowledge and skills in child development, with topics including developing relationships with babies and toddlers, keeping children safe and supporting play and learning.

Certificate III in Health Administration

If you’re working in administration in a medical setting, a Certificate III in Health Administration is an excellent way to advance your career. This course is designed for people planning to work in roles such as medical receptionists, admissions clerks, ward clerks or patient liaison officers. You’ll develop skills in key areas such as infection control, using medical terminology and working with diverse groups of people.

Certificate IV in Leisure and Health

A Certificate IV in Leisure and Health is a great choice for anyone who enjoys supporting clients with health programs and leisure activities. The qualification can be used in a range of industries but may lead to careers such as diversional therapy assistant or lifestyle coordinator. You’ll learn to design and implement health and leisure programs for residents in an aged care facility or for elderly clients in their own home.

Certificate III in Business (Administration)

Make your mark in the business world with the Certificate III in Business (Administration). This course is an ideal way to get started in business administration and will prepare you for roles such as accounts clerk or data entry clerk. You’ll learn to carry out tasks such as processing payroll and financial transactions, coordinating business schedules, purchasing goods and services and maintaining business resources.

Certificate III in Business

The Certificate III in Business can give you the knowledge and skills to take on a range of duties in a business or office environment. It’s ideal for people getting started in this field or who want to work in roles such as office assistant, receptionist , administration officer or executive assistant. You’ll develop your keyboard skills and cover topics including processing accounts, payroll, customer service and time management.

Certificate III in Individual Support

If you enjoy helping other people with daily living activities, the Certificate III in Individual Support could be a great choice for you. You’ll develop the skills to work with clients requiring individual assistance such as elderly people or people with a disability. You might take on a career as a disability support worker, aged care worker, residential care worker or community care worker.

Written by Jodie Magrath
Jodie Magrath
Jodie is a freelance writer with a background in communication and journalism. She’s spent almost 20 years working in roles such as Special Projects Writer and Publications Officer.