FAQs and scenarios for VET in Schools (VETiS) 2026

Career Tasters will be piloted in 2026 by TAFE Queensland and CQUniversity, with a focus on supporting regional students and those without access to programs like the Gateway to Industry Schools Program.

Read about student eligibility for Career Tasters.

No, Career Tasters are not assessable. They are designed to give students a hands-on introduction to working in a sector without the accredited training required for QCE credits.

Yes. Career Tasters are designed to complement existing programs and provide opportunities for students who may not have access to other structured experiences.

No. In 2026, Career Tasters will only be delivered by TAFE Queensland and CQUniversity as part of the pilot program.

The pilot program aims to provide industry-led experiences, including in regional areas. While Career Tasters won’t be available to all schools in 2026, the program will be reviewed and expanded as needed. Students may also access industry connections through the Gateway to Industry Schools Program.

The Career Taster pilot program launched in Term 2, 2026, with the first students participating in the opening week.

Yes. Students can access both pathways under VETiS 2026. However, a student cannot access DTET-funded pathways at the same time.

Yes. Emily has several options:

• Since qualifications completed as a school student don’t count towards the Career Start general training pathway, Emily can enrol in a Certificate III qualification under this pathway.
• Emily can also undertake another apprenticeship or traineeship under Career Start or Career Boost. Her school-based traineeship counts towards the VET 10-year cap of 2 funded apprenticeships and traineeships across VETiS, Career Start and Career Boost, so she has 1 opportunity remaining.

Yes, the qualifications list is developed in consultation with industry to ensure it aligns with workforce needs. See the full list of funded qualifications for 2026.

No. It will remain available through:

• Career Start, which subsidises post-school certificate III qualifications
• fee-for-service arrangements with externally Registered Training Organisations.

A new Industry Skills Solutions program is being developed in consultation with industry stakeholders. It focuses on drone operation in regional and remote areas. It will be available to eligible school students.

Yes. Year 10 students are eligible for DTET-funded qualifications under VETiS 2026.

Students can continue their training in 2026 with their current provider under a continuing student agreement.

No. There is no second-chance funding for VETiS 2026. It is important the school and the Skills Assure Suppliers make the student and parents/carers aware that they are using their entitlement to funding.

Schools are not eligible for Skills Assure Supplier status. However, schools can deliver funded training through VETiS under an approved third-party arrangement.

School RTOs are funded by the Department of Education to support vocational pathways and are not eligible for funding.

Yes, but only under a third-party arrangement, which must not exceed 50% of the total training and assessment services for each qualification at each school.

No. All current programs are changing as part of the new funded training program under VETiS 2026. This means that User Choice has been phased out and replaced by school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.

The core elements of VETiS remain the same as in 2026, but there are a few minor updates to eligible qualifications:

• The Certificate I in Construction will be replaced by the Certificate II in Construction, which is preferred by industry as a pre-apprenticeship pathway.
• The Certificate II in Plumbing will expiry in mid-2026.  While pending advice about an extension to this training product students can continue to enrol in the Certificate II in Plumbing Services.

Eligibility for 2027 remains the same as 2026:

• VETiS is open to students in years 10,11, and 12
• students can access 1 funded opportunity at a time (e.g., a funded Certificate I or II or a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship).

Refer to the Summary of eligibility table for current eligibility guidelines.

Skills Assure Suppliers who were approved for VETiS in 2026 will be invited to continue delivering the program in 2027.

Tanya is in year 11 and would like to do a Certificate II in Hospitality and a Commercial Cookery Apprenticeship (Cert III) through a DTET-funded school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SAT). Tanya asked whether she can enrol in both at the same time.

Tanya’s VETiS 2026 options

• No, Tanya can’t enrol in both at the same time. Tanya may choose to complete the Certificate II first, then commence her SAT.
• However, Tanya could enrol in both concurrently (at the same time) if one is funded by DTET and the other is funded by another arrangement.
• Tanya may also choose to not complete the Cert II as she has been able to obtain a traineeship in her chosen field.

Emily is a Year 11 student who has successfully completed a government-funded Certificate II in Hospitality through a DTET-funded VETiS program. She enjoyed the hands-on learning experience and believes the skills she gained will be valuable for her future career.

However, Emily has realised that event management is her true passion, and she wants to build on her existing skills by completing a Certificate II in Tourism during Year 12. This qualification will help her develop administrative, organisational customer service and booking skills that are essential for event planning.

Emily’s VETiS 2026 options

• Emily will not be eligible for a subsidised training place under the general training pathway for the Certificate II in Tourism in year 12.
• Emily will be eligible to undertake that qualification as a subsidised student after she completes school.
• As an alternative in year 12, Emily may complete a Certificate III in Tourism traineeship as a SAT. If Emily completes this SAT, this will count towards the VET 10 year apprenticeship and traineeship cap, but it will not exhaust her eligibility under Career Start, if she completes it while she’s still enrolled at school.

Joe completed a Certificate II in Resource and Infrastructure Development in year 11, through a DTET-funded VETiS program in 2025.

Joe has decided he would like to undertake a Certificate II in Automotive in year 12. Will Joe be eligible for a DTET-funded VETiS 2026 placement for this qualification?

Joe’s VETiS 2026 options

• Joe will not be eligible for a VETiS 2026 funded place for this second qualification.

• As an alternative, Joe can complete the Certificate II in Automotive on a fee-for-service basis or undertake the Certificate III Automotive as a school-based apprentice/trainee.

Liam is an 18-year-old student who participated a DTET-funded VETiS program during Year 12 in 2025. Through this program, he began a school-based apprenticeship in commercial cookery, working at a local restaurant and working towards completing his Certificate III in Commercial Cookery.

After graduating, Liam transitioned to full-time employment with the same restaurant to complete his Certificate III qualification. While he enjoyed the experience and successfully became a qualified chef, Liam realised that his long-term career interests lie in the automotive industry. He now wants to pursue a new apprenticeship in the automotive industry.

Liam’s post-school options

• Liam is eligible for a subsidised training place as an automotive apprentice.
• When Liam completes this apprenticeship, it will be his last subsidised training place for Liam for an apprenticeship or traineeship in the 10-year period since completing his commercial cookery apprenticeship.

Mia enjoys hands-on activities and working with tools. While she isn’t sure what specific career she wants to pursue after school, she knows she’s interested in doing a trade.

Mia wants to explore her options and gain some practical experience while still in school to help her make an informed decision about her future.

Mia’s VETiS 2026 options

• Before accessing a DTET funded place, Mia may want to participate in a Career Taster pilot program or undertake work experience.

• Mia is eligible for 1 subsidised training place (general pathway) at certificate I or certificate II level through VETiS 2026. This will not impact her access to subsidised training after she finishes school.
• Mia may also undertake a certificate III school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SAT). If Mia completes this, it will count towards the VET 10-year apprenticeship and traineeship cap.
• Mia can also participate in fee-for-service training or VET delivered by a school RTO. A qualification through either option will not impact her eligibility for a VETiS 2026 funded place.

John enjoys working with his hands and has explored several vocational pathways during his time at school. He is now interested in pursuing a Certificate II in Plumbing Services (11054NAT) under the VETiS 2026 general training pathway.

John’s learning history and eligibility

• John previously commenced an apprenticeship in Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, which was later cancelled. This does not impact his eligibility for VETiS 2026 as cancelled apprenticeships are excluded from the eligibility assessment.
• John completed a first-aid unit of competency through his school, Forest Lake State High School. As this training was not on the Queensland Subsidised Training List (QSTL) and was delivered by a school, it does not affect his eligibility.
• John successfully completed a Certificate I in Construction with TAFE Queensland, a funded SAS provider. As this qualification is listed on the QSTL, it may impact his eligibility, as students are only eligible for one subsidised general training pathway place under VETiS 2026.
• John was enrolled in Certificate II in Engineering Pathways but withdrew prior to completion. This does not affect his eligibility.

Eligibility outcome

John’s eligibility to enrol in Certificate II in Plumbing Services is unclear due to his completion of Certificate I in Construction. The SAS provider will need to contact their contract manager to confirm eligibility by providing John’s first name, surname, and date of birth.

Lisa has a passion for performing arts and is interested in enrolling in the Certificate II in Performing Arts under the VETiS 2026 General Training pathway. Lisa has previously completed a DTET-funded school-based traineeship in Certificate III in Business with a funded SAS provider.

Lisa’s learning history and eligibility

• Lisa completed her Certificate III in Business through a DTET-funded school-based traineeship. This means she has already used her entitlement for a DTET-funded school-based apprenticeship or traineeship under VETiS 2026.
• However, this does not affect her eligibility for a general training pathway DTET-funded VETiS qualification.

Eligibility outcome

Lisa is eligible to enrol in Certificate II in Performing Arts under the VETiS 2026 General Training pathway.

Patrick is currently completing a DTET-funded school-based apprenticeship in Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, with a funded SAS provider. He is also interested in enrolling in Certificate II in Automotive Electrical Technology under the VETiS 2026 General Training pathway.

Patrick’s history and eligibility

• Patrick’s school-based apprenticeship in Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician is DTET-funded and his training contract is active. This impacts his eligibility for additional DTET-funded training under VETiS 2026.
• Patrick has also undertaken subject-only training that is not on the Queensland Subsidised Training List (QSTL), which does not affect his eligibility.

Eligibility outcome

Patrick is not eligible to undertake Certificate II in Automotive Electrical Technology under VETiS 2026. Students cannot undertake a DTET-funded school-based apprenticeship or traineeship at the same time as a general training pathway under VETiS 2026.

Teddy has a passion for working with animals and wants to enrol in Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Animal Care) through a DTET-funded school-based traineeship. They have already completed Certificate II in Animal Care under the VETiS 2026 General Training pathway.

Teddy’s history and eligibility

• Teddy successfully completed Certificate II in Animal Care through the general training pathway under VETiS 2026. As this qualification was not completed through a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship, it does not affect their eligibility for a DTET-funded school-based traineeship.
• Teddy will not be undertaking DTET-funded qualifications concurrently, which ensures compliance with VETiS 2026 program rules.

Eligibility outcome

Teddy is eligible to enrol in Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Animal Care) through VETiS 2026 under the school-based traineeship pathway. However, once Teddy completes the traineeship, they will have exhausted all entitlements under the VETiS 2026 program.

Hunter is currently enrolled in Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics and has previously completed Certificate II in Retail Services through the Department of Education’s VETiS program. Recently, Hunter has been offered an opportunity to undertake a school-based traineeship in Certificate III in Retail (SIR30216).

Hunter’s history and eligibility

• Hunter’s completion of Certificate II in Retail Services does not affect his eligibility, as this qualification was delivered by a secondary school and not funded by DTET.
• Hunter’s current enrolment in Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics may impact his eligibility, as this qualification is on the Queensland Subsidised Training List (QSTL). The funding source for this qualification needs to be confirmed.

Eligibility outcome

Hunter’s eligibility to enrol in Certificate III in Retail under the school-based traineeship pathway is uncertain. The SAS provider will need to contact their Contract Manager to confirm the funding source for the Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics by providing Hunter’s first name, surname, and date of birth.

If the Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics, is funded by DTET, Hunter will not be eligible to enrol in the school-based traineeship at the same time. To access funding for the traineeship, Hunter would need to either:

• withdraw from Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics
• complete Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics before enrolling in the traineeship
• complete Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics through a fee-for-service arrangements.