VET trainers impart practical and work-oriented knowledge to students that help the students excel in their careers. The popularity of vocational education teaching as a career option has been increasing exponentially, and itโs completely understandable. However, before stepping into this pathway, itโs important to understand the VET Trainer Requirements so you can meet compliance expectations and build a strong foundation as a confident, job-ready trainer. Being a VET trainer comes with its own set of challenges and, of course, real scope to growโdepending on the skill set individuals possess.
Firstly, letโs dive deep into what does VET actually mean? VET stands forย Vocational Education Training. It purely focuses on providing the students with the required skill set to work and thrive in their careers.
A Vet Trainer and Assessor is a professional who works in the field of vocational education and training. VET Trainers and Assessors play a crucial role in designing and delivering training programs for workplaces and registered training organisations. VET Trainers and Assessors require a combination of technical expertise, instructional skills, and industry knowledge to effectively fulfil their roles. They should have in-depth knowledge and expertise in the vocational field they are training and assessing. Some major skills that a VET trainer imparts are:
VET courses are conducted by Registered Training Organisations (RTO) in Australia. Pursuing a VET professional course from RTO will ensure that the knowledge and skills you get with this course are nationally recognized.
Certain universities in Australia offer a VET teacher course too. Registered Training Organisations offering VET trainer courses are registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) too. CRICOS is an admin platform that helps the Australian government stay updated with the quality of vocational education offered to the students taking VET Trainer and assessor courses.
Image Source: Vet Sector
To become a VET Trainer in Australia, you generally need to meet certain requirements and follow a specific process. Here are the steps to become a VET Trainer in Australia:
Please Note: The following is an excerpt from the Standards for RTOs, Schedule 1 that outlines the specifics and illustrates the added complexity for individuals with the TAE40110 qualification as opposed to the TAE40116 qualification.
Source: OnTargetWorkSkills
How much does the VET trainer course cost? Students often wonder about this question, and rightly so.
Well, the course fees completely depend on the university you select to pursue the course. You need to do deep research, compare the fees of different vet training provider institutes, and see which training package fits your bill the best.
The certification fees range from AUD$4000 to $22,000 per year. However, the fees are high for diplomas and graduation.
Becoming a VET trainer in Australia requires a combination of qualifications, industry experience, and accreditation. By following these steps, you can become a qualified VET trainer and help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen careers.
So, how are you planning to pursue your VET career? Are you still having any queries regarding the courses explained above? Do reach out to us, and weโll make sure that you get a clear answer to everything.
Generally, you needed an approved training and assessment credential (often TAE40122 or equivalent pathways) plus vocational competence and current industry skills relevant to what you delivered/assessed.
TAE40122 was a common minimum credential, but there were approved alternatives and add-on skill set pathways depending on your role and context.
It meant you could demonstrate industry capability in your training areaโoften through relevant qualifications/units and/or verified industry experience.
You typically kept evidence like recent industry work, professional practice, industry engagement, PD activities, memberships, and records that clearly linked to the units you delivered/assessed.
A trainer matrix linked each trainer to the specific training products/units, showing their credentials, vocational competence, and currency evidence in one place for audit readiness.
In many RTO contexts, trainers without full credentials may work under direction/supervision while progressingโprovided the RTO had strong oversight and the qualified person retained responsibility where required.
A strong portfolio usually included trainer credentials, verified vocational competence evidence, industry currency evidence, PD records, and mapping to the units delivered/assessed.
The revised Standards reinforced clearer regulatory expectations around workforce competence/currency and how RTOs assure trainer and assessor capability.
Use an onboarding checklist: verify credential pathway, confirm vocational competence, confirm current industry skills, confirm scope alignment, and file evidence in a central register/trainer matrix.
There isnโt one universal numberโRTOs should set a system thatย regularly reviewsย currency and addresses gaps before they impact delivery/assessment quality.
Disclaimer:
The information presented on the VET Resources blog is for general guidance only. While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness or timeliness of the information. VET Resources is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. Always consult a professional for advice tailored to your circumstances.
Ben Thakkar is a Compliance, Training, and Business specialist in the education industry. He has held senior management roles, including General Manager, with leading Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and Universities. With over 15 years of experience, Ben brings extensive expertise across audits, funding contracts, VET Student Loans, CRICOS, and the Standards for RTOs 2025.
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