Key facts
Duration
1 year part-time
Locations
This course is only offered Online
Course overview
Take your teaching expertise and salary to the next level, with Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Adult, Vocational and Further Education. This course will equip you with the advanced knowledge and practical skills – and AQF level 8 qualification – to meet the growing demand for teachers within the TAFE and Vocational Education and Training (VET) system.
With a focus on developing your agency in the classroom, this course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to confidently design, teach and assess in TAFE/VET. You’ll explore the methodologies behind creating authentic and inclusive learning experiences for students and investigate the design, development and evaluation of research in education. You’ll also have the opportunity to undertake your own independent research project relevant to professional practice in education.
Ready to boost your VET professional learning to take your teaching career and salary to the next level?
With a supervised professional practice component, you’ll gain the support you need to integrate the innovative practices and approaches you learn about directly into your teaching, enhancing your expertise – and your career. By developing transferable skills, such as critical enquiry, collaboration and strategic thinking, you’ll also be set to skilfully navigate the challenges of VET teaching, now and into the future.
Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Adult, Vocational and Further Education meets the requirements for an AQF level 8 or above teaching qualification in the Victorian TAFE Teaching Staff Agreement, meaning you’ll graduate qualified to apply for new MEA classifications and associated incremental salary points.
This course is delivered via Deakin’s premium online platform – meaning can get ahead with your career journey while also maintaining work, study and personal commitments. You can also choose to start your course in any of Deakin’s three study periods (trimesters) across the year.
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2026 close 21 June 2026
Current Deakin students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Adult, Vocational and Further Education
- Year
2026 course information
- Deakin code
- E506
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
Leader in online study
Join more than 78,000 online Deakin students who have successfully graduated from the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment. Discover why we’re a leader in online university courses.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Adult, Vocational and Further Education, you must pass 4 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 4 credit points of core units.
Most units are equal to one credit point.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Note: This course is part-time only.
Compulsory 0-credit point units
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
Units
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Online
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online
ACHIEVE WORK-LIFE BALANCE AT THE #1 VICTORIAN UNI FOR COURSE SATISFACTION
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Participation requirements
Compulsory learning experiences
A total of 200-hours of teaching practice, teacher observation and teacher professional development and professional activities, including:
• 50 hours of direct supervision, observed and evaluated by a qualified teacher or educator;
• 50 hours of observed teaching practice of other teacher practitioners;
• 50 hours of participation in activities such as attendance at teacher meetings, development of course materials, student interviews, industry liaison and consultation with external authorities and enterprises; and,
• 50 hours of other teaching–related activities may include further directly supervised teaching practice, teaching observations, or participation in other professional teaching activities.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.
To be considered for admission to the is degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of bachelor’s degree or higher
OR
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and at least 2-years relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Estimated tuition fee - (CSP) ?Enrolling in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) means the Australian Government pays part of your course fees directly to Deakin, and you pay a 'student contribution'.
$2,369 - Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
Learn more about fees.
The available fee places for this course are detailed above.
Tuition fees are determined by your enrolment:
- If you are offered a full fee paying place, your tuition fees are calculated based on your course.
- If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are calculated depending on the units you choose.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within the same year they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of study. Four credit points is used as it represents a typical enrolment load for a Graduate Certificate.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options.
Higher Education Loan Program
Take the next step towards your ultimate degree with a Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loan to help pay your tuition fees.
You may be eligible for a HELP loan – including FEE-HELP or HECS-HELP – depending on your course, type of fee place, and your citizenship or residency status. Check your eligibility and learn more about Government HELP loans.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship can open the door to new opportunities. Whether you have something unique to offer or simply need a bit of extra support to reach your goals, we’re here to help. Scholarships can assist with course fees, living costs and study materials – so you can focus on achieving your best. Explore the range of opportunities and find the right fit for you.
Postgraduate bursary
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.
Need more information on how to apply?
For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.
Career outcomes
Graduates of Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Adult, Vocational and Further Education will have advanced skills, knowledge and expertise to teach in TAFE and the Vocational Education and Training system, including the adult and community education sectors.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT.
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Critically analyse and apply advanced and specialised knowledge of the principles of contemporary adult vocational education research, curriculum design, inclusive pedagogy and evidence-based assessment and their application for teaching and learning in adult, vocational and further education. |
| Communication | Employ expert oral and written communication skills required of adult, vocational education teaching and scholarship to be able to convey complex knowledge to a variety of audiences and work effectively in teams. |
| Digital literacy | Apply a range of digital technologies and data sources to create, search, analyse, report, evaluate and communicate within the practice and scholarship of teaching of adult, vocational education. |
| Critical thinking | Critically review, analyse and synthesise complex ideas and make informed judgements to improve teaching and learning methodologies, pedagogies and practices in adult, vocational education industries. |
| Problem solving | Apply advanced knowledge of theories of learning and teaching methodologies individual and collaboratively in teams to identify, evaluate and resolve problems of practice and challenges impacting on adult vocational education, including addressing implications for scholarship of teaching and learning (SOTL). |
| Self-management | Apply an evidence-based approach to critical self-reflection in relation to teaching and learning, and evidence of a commitment to ongoing, self-directed lifelong learning and professional development. |
| Global citizenship | Analyse and apply ethical and professional standards in engaging with key challenges in teaching and learning globally, and within diverse socioeconomic, cultural and faith-based contexts, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. |
Approved at Faculty Board September 2019
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
