Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma
Minimum entry requirements
To qualify for entry to a Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma, you will need any one of:
- Satisfactory completion of SACE Stage 2 (or equivalent)
SACE students must qualify for the SACE and obtain a TAFE SA Selection Score.
To obtain a TAFE SA Selection Score you must:
- have completed 60 credits of Tertiary Admissions Subjects (TAS), or 40 credits of TAS and 20 credits of Recognised Studies
- comply with the rules regarding Precluded Combinations
- Any Certificate III
- Satisfactory achievement in the TAFE SA Assessment of Basic Skills (TABS)
Where there are more applicants who meet the entry requirements than places available, applicants will be ranked in one or more of the following cohorts depending on what is used to meet the entry requirements. The following criteria will apply:
| School qualified applicants: | Scores for successful completion of senior secondary certificate.
Bonus points for specified subjects. |
| Tertiary (University) qualified applicants: | Scores for completed university qualifications.
Additional points awarded for qualifications in same or related area(s). |
| Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualified applicants: | Scores for completed vocational education and training (VET) qualifications. Additional points awarded for qualifications in same or related area(s). |
| Other applicants: | Score derived from performance in TAFE SA Assessment of Basic Skills (TABS) or Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). |
- Applicants will be assessed and ranked against other applicants in the same cohort.
- Offers will generally be made on a proportional basis e.g. if 20% of applications for a course are from the school-result cohort, 20% of offers will be made to this cohort.
Numeracy and English literacy requirements
TAFE SA requires a minimum standard of numeracy and English literacy for entry to vocational courses for Certificate II and above.
Minimum standards are assessed by satisfying one of the following conditions:
- SACE completion or its equivalent
- 20 credits of literacy at a C standard and 10 credits of numeracy at a C standard at SACE Stage 1 (or equivalent)*
* For the latest information about subjects which meet this requirement check the SACE website - a Statement of Attainment† with evidence of:
- TOEFL score – 550 minimum for paper-based test
- TOEFL score – 200 minimum for computer-based test
- TOEFL score – 80 for internet-based test
- IELTS score 5.5 minimum
- ISLPR of 3 or above in each of the macro skills (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking)
- satisfactory results in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
- completion of a VET (Certificate II level or higher) or Higher Education qualification delivered in English
- TAFE SA Assessment of Basic Skills (TABS)
† must be within two years of current application
Inherent Requirements
In addition to meeting the Minimum Entry requirements, all students of a program must be capable of meeting the inherent requirements for participation and must also be capable of operating independently in an adult learning environment. Students should also be aware of any particular Inherent Requirements of a program.
The Inherent Requirements are those that students must demonstrate in order to complete a course or program. They are those components, which if removed or substituted would substantially impact on the learning outcomes.
Please discuss any issues with the program area or a Student Services Officer at any campus.
Preferred subjects/pathways - same and related areas
Selection into Certificate IV and higher-level courses for SACE students.
TAFE SA selection processes are based on merit. Where there are more eligible applicants
for a TAFE SA course than there are places, applicants are ranked in merit order for
selection.
For Certificate IV and higher level courses, the TAFE SA Selection Score is used.
The TAFE SA Selection Score is the total of the scaled scores from a student’s best results
from 60 Stage 2 credits where:
- the 60 credits must come from 60 credits of TAS, or 40 credits of TAS and 20 credits of Recognised Studies1
The TAFE SA Selection Score is reported to students in the score range 0–60.0.
Please note:
- there is no limit to the number of 10 credit TAS that can contribute to the TAFE SA Selection Score
- TAFE SA does not use Counting Restrictions
- additional points are awarded to students who successfully complete subjects relevant to the TAFE SA courses applied for.
1 Recognised Studies will include any Certificate II in the Certificate III Selection score for entry to any Certificate III or any completed Certificate III in the TAFE SA Selection Score for entry to Certificate IV and above.
Further Information
For further information about all TAFE SA Courses, phone 1800 882 661 or email tafeinfo@sa.gov.au