Short Courses in Australia: Duration, Cost & Guide

Short Courses in Australia: An Easier Pathway for International Students

Australia is well-known for promoting education through flexible, skill-based learning systems. The government partners with educational institutions to make learning interactive, effective, and achievable for all classes of people. In this regard, short courses in Australia are one of the most efficient ways students, graduates and skilled people can sharpen their skills and earn micro credentials for their career. The most innovative thing about short courses is their scale to impact ratio, where fast, flexible skill development takes place from weeks to months in multiple areas, such as IT, business, healthcare, and other STEM disciplines.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about short courses in Australia, what options there are, who they’re for and their benefits.

TAFE Courses in Australia for International Students

TAFE stands for Technical and Further Education. Among the many available options, TAFE courses in Australia for international students are among the most popular ones. TAFE provides an easier and faster way to gain qualification in Australia that can eventually lead to permanent residency. These pathway courses in Australia are also recommended for people who want a change of career and learn the most in-demand skills in Australia.
Here is a quick side-by-side comparison of TAFE courses against university degrees:

	TAFE GRADUATE	UNIVERSITY GRADUATE
Course Duration	6 months – 12 months	3+ years
Average Cost	$5000 - $ 30,000	$20,000 - $45,000
Starting Dates	Not fixed	Fixed intakes
Starting Salary	$56,000	$54,000
Entry Requirements	High school or work experience	At least completion of year 12

Benefits of enrolling in TAFE courses:

TAFE courses are low cost, more job oriented and last between 6-12 months.
Students that enrol in TAFE courses can choose to study among multiple modes of delivery, such as part time, full time, on campus and online methods.
Smaller class sizes in TAFE courses ensures every student gets the right attention and skills development with individual assistance.
TAFE qualifications require firsthand training, which leads to better employment outcomes.
All the courses under the TAFE program are fully accredited since these institutions are owned by the government of Australia.
The study options at TAFE are diverse and often not available at university. Therefore, you’ll find a range of options of courses that focus on delivering skills within a brief period of time.

Most Recommended TAFE Courses:

Here are some course options that you can choose at TAFE:

Aged or disability support
Commercial Cookery
Veterinary Nursing
Interpreter
Enrolled Nurse

Top TAFE Institutions:

Top TAFE institutions in Australia are as follows:

TAFE NSW
TAFE Queensland
RMIT University
SA TAFE
South Metropolitan TAFE

3 Months Short Courses in Australia

While there are diverse course options in Australia, various time durations exist for every type of student. 3 month-program gives students the chance to learn new skills without committing to long-term study. These courses are very popular among international students because they checkmark all the boxes, both for Australian communities and the students themselves.
Briefly, a 3-month short course offers a flexible and practical way to gain skills and experience the amazing life of Australia. In the following, we discuss popular areas of study that you can choose:

Business and Management
Information Technology
Hospitality and Tourism
Health and Community Services
Creative Arts and Design

These courses are often firsthand and allow you to practice skills during workshops which lead to quick and easy placements.

Entry Requirements for international students are as follows:

IELTS, PTE, or equivalent test results.
Some courses require prior study or work experience.
Student visa prior to arriving in Australia.

6 Months Short Courses in Australia

Six-month short courses in Australia are widely available and focus on high-demand skills in various disciplines such as business, IT, Healthcare, and Engineering. These typically include TAFE diplomas, vocational education certificates (VET), and industry specific short courses. These have been explained briefly in the following:

VET Certificates & Diplomas: These programs range from 3 to 6 months and are available in areas like Aged Care, Disability Support, and Business.
TAFE Short Courses: These are skill-specific program options available for IT, Health, and Creative Industries.
University Foundation or Bridging Programs: Some universities conduct 6-month programs for entry into high education, or for students willing to switch universities.
Industry Certifications: Some industries issue these certifications to specific skillset such as barista and construction.

The best thing about university-specific short courses is the option to transfer their credit hours into relevant master’s degrees. The program options are now more than ever.

On an average, a 6 month short course (often Certificate III, IV, or skill set):

Cost:	AUD 3,000 – AUD 10,000.
Requirements:	Flexible, but usually require language requirements for international students.
Duration:	3 – 6 months plus.

However, it is important to note that these short courses can provide pathways, but cheap courses may not be favoured by immigration officers.

Foundation Courses in Australia for International Students

Foundation courses in Australia are specificized programs for international students who may not initially meet the entry requirements of their undergraduate program. On an average, these programs last for one year, and do not require the students to sit for examinations. The intent of these programs is to measure a student’s eligibility through internal assessment, after which the students are promised a place at university for their undergraduate degree. These pathway courses in Australia are sure to get you admission in your preferred university.

In the following, we discuss some institutions and their foundation courses for international students:

Monash College:

Monash College is fully owned by Monash university, which is Australia’s largest university. For students interested in their admission at Monash University, they are to attend foundation courses at this college. It offers foundation programs and English language courses, diplomas, professional experience programs and more. The main purpose of this institution is to help international students get into their desired degree courses.

The University of Adelaide College:

The University of Adelaide College provides students with a personal and enriching experience, where students can attend foundation courses which lead to their admissions in the University of Adelaide. The college is aimed at providing personal support to help students throughout the journey, from their admissions to their graduation.

Eynesbury College:

Just like every other college, Eynesbury College helps international students in their preparation and admission to the university. The college has been operating for more than 30 years now and has successfully prepared thousands for university in Australia.

Trinity College:

Known as the largest diverse college in Australia, Trinity college boasts a very functional faculty who has helped students in their academic journeys by assisting them through foundation programs.

UNSW Foundation Studies:

UNSW is the longest-running and leading institution in Australia that offers foundation programs to international students. The courses at the institution are designed in such a way that they support students from various educational backgrounds. Upon completion of the foundation course, students are guaranteed a place in UNSW Australia.

Conclusion

Short courses in Australia are one of the easiest ways to gain skills, either you are switching careers or require expertise in your field. Most of these courses last from 3 months to a year, and offer flexible learning options, such as on campus, hybrid or online. These courses are cheap and provide an easier pathway to a skilled career which can result in permanent residency.