Didn’t get the ATAR you were hoping for?
Didn’t get the one you needed?
Take a breath. We’ve totally got you.
And yes, TAFE Gippsland is an ATAR-free zone… but we’re also so much more than that.
Real pathways. Real skills. Real jobs.
Right now in Victoria, heaps of industries are crying out for skilled workers. While you’ve been studying, we’ve been working behind the scenes to line up our courses with the jobs that actually exist and the ones that are growing fast.
So if your plans have changed (slightly or entirely), don’t stress. We’ve got programs, pathways and pipelines that can get you moving toward the career you want, even if you’re not totally sure what that is yet.
But before we get into all that, let’s tackle a few myths you’ve probably heard about TAFE…
TAFE myths vs the real facts
Myth 1: “No ATAR = no entry”
Fact: TAFE literally does not ask for your ATAR. You really can file that score away.
Myth 2: “It’s harder to get a job with a TAFE qualification”
Fact: Nope. A 2017 Skilling Australia report found 78% of VET graduates are employed after training, compared to 71.8% of uni grads in full-time work. Skills = jobs.
Myth 3: “If I choose TAFE, my options are limited”
Fact: TAFE opens doors — it doesn’t close them. You can jump straight into work or use your qualification to pathway into university later. More than 78% of VET graduates find jobs after training… so “limited” isn’t really the vibe.
Myth 4: “Uni grads always earn more”
Fact: Actually, a Skilling Australia Foundation report found VET grads had a higher median income ($56,000) compared to uni grads ($54,000).
If uni is still your long-term plan, great — but you’re not financially falling behind by choosing TAFE first.
Myth 5: “TAFE is too expensive”
Fact: TAFE is generally less expensive than uni and many courses fall under Free TAFE.
Plus:
- payment plans
- study close to home
- zero parking meters (seriously, keep your coins)
More reasons students choose TAFE
- Flexible learning — different class times, part-time options, online study and the ability to stack qualifications (start small with a short course and build up)
- Easy career changes — perfect if you want to switch paths or upskill
- Industry connections — our courses are shaped with real employers, leading to real opportunities
- Nationally recognised qualifications — your skills go wherever you go, across the country and beyond
Your ATAR doesn’t define your future
Whether you’re jumping straight into a trade, want a hands-on course or plan to use TAFE as a stepping stone into uni, we’ve got pathways into Federation University Australia, Charles Sturt University and Swinburne University, plus plenty of industry-ready programs.
So if your ATAR isn’t what you expected, don’t panic. TAFE Gippsland can help you build a future you’re proud of — ATAR or no ATAR.
Your next chapter starts whenever you’re ready. Let’s make it a good one.
Contact the TAFE Gippsland team today to talk about your future.