The Asylum Seeker Vocational Education and Training (ASVET) program is a Victorian State Government funded initiative which supports eligible people seeking asylum, and refugees, to gain access to Skills First Victoria VET courses.

The ASVET initiative covers applicants who wish to complete VCE, Foundation Studies, and VET Certificate levels 1 to IV, Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas. Applicants undertaking VCE, or courses at Certificate levels 1 to IV, are eligible for a subsidised Skills First place, as well as a concessional tuition fee rate.

Applicants undertaking diplomas are eligible for a Government subsidised place with tuition fees at the domestic student rate. Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas do not have concession rates.

Skills First Victoria
As part of the ASVET initiative, the ASRC will refer eligible applicants to Government subsidised training courses as listed on the Skills First Victoria website.

• TAFEs and Learn Locals are able to directly enrol eligible people.
• Privately registered training organisations (RTOs) require a referral from the ASRC to enrol students into subsidised Skills First VET courses.

Free TAFE  for Priority courses

• From January 2019, people seeking asylum, and refugees, who are eligible for Skills First training, will also be able to access free tuition in 30 priority non-apprenticeship courses, delivered through TAFEs across the state.
• A further 18 government-subsidised apprenticeship pathway courses (sometimes called pre-apprenticeships) will also be free to eligible people seeking asylum.

Eligibility

To enrol a student in a Skills First VET course, including Free TAFE for Priority courses, the following criteria must be met:

• people seeking asylum must be on a Bridging Visa Class E (BVE)
• refugees must have a Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) OR a Temporary Protection Visa (TPV)
• people holding eligible visas must always have study rights
• work rights are required for courses that include work placement

All applicants must:

• have a proficient level of English to participate in the chosen course
• be able to pay for: course concession fees (where applicable), course materials, student amenity fees, and transport costs
• live in Victoria

For any further eligibility requirements or limitations please check your Skills First contract, or contact your contract manager at the DET.

Verification process

To confirm the applicant’s current visa, RTOs must use the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) website. Only RTOs registered as a VEVO organisation will have access to VEVO.

Registration can be completed online using the above link. Registration enables organisations to verify the type of visa an applicant holds, and the status of their study, and work rights.

Please ensure you have the following information ready about the applicant:

• ImmiCard or passport number
• Name
• Date of birth

ASVET Community of Best Practice: Responding to the challenges of COVID-19

The ASVET Program has developed three videos aimed to create an understanding of the current challenges facing students seeking asylum; both existing challenges and challenges specific to enrolling and studying during COVID-19 These videos present considerations for organisations to assist people seeking asylum to succeed.

We encourage education and community practitioners to attend a live webinar on May 25th 2020, to hear and share strategies with each other. Please contact the ASRC ASVET program for more information.