ASVET Training Providers

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

ASVET covers VCE, Foundation Studies, and VET Certificate levels I to IV, Diplomas, and Advanced Diplomas. Students in VCE or Certificate I–IV are eligible for a subsidised Skills First place and concessional tuition fee rate. Diploma and Advanced Diploma students are eligible for a government-subsidised place at the domestic student rate; no concession rate applies at the diploma level.

  → Are you a student? → ASVET for Students — /vet/students/

ELIGIBILITY — IMPORTANT UPDATE (EFFECTIVE 1 JULY 2023)

From 1 July 2023, eligibility expanded to include individuals or dependants of individuals who:

● Hold any humanitarian, protection, or refugee visa in Australia, or
● Have applied for a humanitarian, protection or refugee visa and hold a bridging visa for this purpose, or
● Have made an application under s.417 or s.48b of the Migration Act 1958 and hold a bridging visa

All applicants must also have study rights, a sufficient level of English, and the ability to cover course fees, materials, and transport. Work rights are required for work-placement programs. Applicants must be living in Victoria. For any further eligibility requirements or limitations, please check your Skills First contract or contact your contract manager at the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR).

  → Download: ASVET eligibility determination for services — February 2025

VERIFICATION PROCESS

There are three ways to verify a student’s eligibility:

• If registered with the Department of Home Affairs to use VEVO, ask the student for permission to check their visa type and study/work rights directly.
• Accept a VEVO record generated by the student — verify details match their passport or Immicard.
• Accept a letter of referral from the ASRC.

When a student holds a bridging visa, RTOs must also cite additional evidence that they are applying for a humanitarian, protection, or refugee visa, or making an application under s.417 or s.48b of the Migration Act 1958. See the Eligibility Determination Guide below for full VEVO guidance and screenshots.

  → Skills First Victoria — provider information

  → Free TAFE for Priority Courses

PROVIDER RESOURCES – ELIGIBILITY & ENROLMENT RESOURCES

ASVET Eligibility Determination for Services — A Comprehensive Guide

The most comprehensive eligibility resource available. Covers the full post-July 2023 eligibility criteria, all permanent, temporary, and bridging visa types, step-by-step VEVO check process for both organisations and students, how to read VEVO results, troubleshooting failed VEVO checks, and required evidence for bridging visa holders. Includes screenshots of VEVO outputs and a key resources list.

  → ASVET Eligibility Determination for Services: A Comprehensive  Guide

ASVET Eligibility Explained — August 2023 Update

Official one-page eligibility update document covering the expanded visa criteria effective 1 July 2023.

  → Download PDF

ASVET Enrolment Brochure

Provider-facing enrolment information and referral process overview. February 2023.

ASVET Student Brochure — March 2023

Student-facing information for providers to share with prospective students.

  → Download PDF

SUPPORTING STUDENTS — EDUCATOR TRAINING MODULES

Training Module: Cultural Competence

Designed for educators and staff working with people seeking asylum and refugees. Covers the four cornerstones of cultural competency (awareness, responsiveness, knowledge, skills), unconscious bias and microaggressions, active listening, and the “need to know” principle for enrolment conversations, self-awareness and cultural humility, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Includes case studies, reflection activities, and a resource list.

  → Training Module Cultural Competence

Training Module: Supportive Learning Environments for Inclusive Education

Equips providers to create safe, inclusive, and empowering learning environments. Covers understanding learner strengths and barriers, psychological safety, trauma-informed practice, flexible delivery, building trust, fostering belonging, community partnerships, and how to measure and improve learner outcomes. Includes a self-assessment rating scale, action plan template, and learner profile mapping activity.

  → Training Module Building Supportive Learning Environments for Inclusive Education

Understanding Challenges and Providing Support for People Seeking Asylum

Guidance for educators on the specific challenges faced by students seeking asylum. A useful companion to the training modules above.

  → Download PDF

Best Practice by RTOs — Video

Practical examples of RTO best practice in supporting ASVET students.

  → Watch on YouTube

 CONFERENCE & WORKSHOP RESOURCES (2022–2024)

  → May 2024 — ASVET overview: growth and inclusivity 2021–2024 (PDF)

  → Nov 2023 — Summary of breakout sessions (PDF)

  → Nov 2023 — ASVET frequently asked questions (PDF)

  → Nov 2023 — Alumni Peer Support video 1

  → Nov 2023 — Alumni Peer Support video 2

  → Nov 2023 — Alumni Peer Support video 3

  → May 2023 — Community of practice employment workshop (PDF)

  → Nov 2022 — ASVET administration processes video

APPRENTICESHIPS & TRAINEESHIPS

  → Fair Work — apprentice entitlements

  → Australian Apprenticeships — information for employers

  → Apprenticeship Support — Victoria

OLDER ARCHIVE (2016–2022)

  → ASVET 2016–2018 final report (PDF)

  → Community of Best Practice terms of reference (PDF)

  → 2018 conference report: Celebrate the Journey (PDF)

  → 2022 Community of Best Practice Forum resources (PDF)

Education Coordinators  ·  (03) 9274 9807  ·  education@asrc.org.au  ·  ASRC Reception: (03) 9326 6066