Asylum Seeker VET program

What is the Asylum Seeker VET program?

The Asylum Seeker Vocational Education and Training (ASVET) program provides eligible asylum seekers granted temporary residence an exemption from the usual citizenship or residency eligibility criteria required for participation in a government-subsidised Skills First training course.

The purpose of the ASVET program is to provide broader pathways to education and training opportunities for people seeking asylum who currently reside in Victoria. This is to assist asylum seekers to gain the skills and qualifications needed to enter the labour market and secure viable and sustainable employment that leads to economic independence.

ASVET participants are also eligible for discounted course fees across all Skills First courses, and access to tuition fee-free training for select courses under the Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative. This applies even if the student does not hold a concession card.

Training under the ASVET Program can only be delivered by Skills First contracted training providers. This includes Victorian TAFEs, Learn Local Organisations (who are also Registered Training Organisations), other Registered Training Providers and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

Skills First training providers have been selected for their capacity to deliver quality government subsidised training.

Students can visit a Skills and Jobs Centre or call the TAFE and Training Line on 13 18 23 to get advice on all the available study options.

To explore Skills First and Free TAFE courses, visit the Victorian Skills Gateway.

You can also find your local training provider via:

What training is available under the ASVET Program?

In 2025, Free TAFE and training subsidised by the Victorian Government through the Skills First program will focus on priority courses needed for housing and renewable energy.

With TAFE at the centre of Victoria’s training system, training delivered by TAFEs and training delivered in regional areas will be prioritised.

To explore Skills First and Free TAFE courses, visit the Victorian Skills Gateway.

Who can participate in the ASVET program?

Eligibility for the ASVET program is available to individuals or dependants of individuals who meet the following criteria:

hold any humanitarian, protection of 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 (Cth) which is yet to be determined and hold a bridging visa.

Individuals must have a visa with study rights, and work rights are required for programs that include work placement.

Support for asylum seekers

Support for asylum seekers through the ASVET program is available in 2 formats. These are:

an exemption from the usual citizenship/residency requirements for undertaking Skills First training
supports that provide guidance, professional development and referrals to TAFEs, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and Learn Local (LL) providers with Skills First contracts that deliver Victorian Government subsidised training to eligible students.

What does the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre do within ASVET?

The department funds the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) to offer a range of supports to asylum seeker students and the TAFEs, RTOs and LL providers that they engage with.

In addition to providing referral letters into Skills First, the ASRC is funded to provide a range of support services for ASVET participants and training providers:

a help desk service that provides guidance about verifying visas and other information for the purposes of validly enrolling students, as well as information on educational opportunities and pathways to employment for students.
dedicated internet site of resources to inform training providers' decisions about supporting their asylum seeker students on campus.
a community-of-best-practice network for training providers to share examples of leading practice in the education and training support of asylum seeker and refugee students.
professional development workshops for training providers.

These activities are linked to increased enrolments and course completions, improved study experiences and supported training pathways to further study and employment.

How can I be referred to the program?

The ASRC provides a referral process to ensure that students are supported where required when identifying, enrolling and completing their education and training.
A person seeking asylum can:
- self-present to the ASRC in person by phone or through email
- be referred internally by an ASRC program
- be referred by another organisation.
ASVET staff or volunteers book the prospective student an initial appointment with an education advisor at the ASRC.
Education advisors support prospective students to make informed choices by:
- exploring qualifications, skills and experience
- investigating VET course aspirations
- aligning VET course options and employment opportunities
- identifying an appropriate VET course and an appropriate provider.
If course choice is clear, then a referral letter is issued to the chosen provider.
If course choice is unclear, then further appointments are made with an education advisor.
Once a VET course is chosen, the ASRC provides a referral letter to the training provider confirming the student’s eligibility for the ASVET program and their interest in VET.
The person seeking asylum enrols in VET and the ASRC Education Program continues engagement with the student and the training provider.
Applicants can also self-enrol in the ASVET Program. Self-enrolling applicants are required to register with the Department of Home Affairs' Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system to complete the process themselves.
The self-referral process is as follows:
1. The applicant checks their visa to confirm they are eligible for the ASVET program.
2. The applicant contacts their preferred Skills First training provider to discuss eligibility and course selection.
3. The training provider completes a VEVO check and retains this as evidence.
4. The training provider confirms the individual’s eligibility, course enrolment and any course material fees and concessions.
5. The training provider offers the applicant enrolment in training.
6. The applicant accepts the offer, enrols and commences their course.

ASVET program guidelines

Read the ASVET program guidelines.

Enrolment in pre-accredited training

Individuals who are eligible for the ASVET program are also eligible to enrol in pre-accredited training courses directly or via ASRC referral.

Pre-accredited training is flexible training to help students develop the core skills they need for study, work and life. Core skills include literacy, numeracy, English language, and employability skills, including digital skills.

Pre-accredited training courses are provided by Learn Local providers.

Find out more at:

Pre-accredited training courses are provided by Learn Local providers, who are managed by the Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) Board.

At enrolment, the training provider will ask the student for visa details to verify their eligibility. The visa will be checked via the VEVO system.

Contact us

Department Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions

If you have questions about your local TAFE, eligibility or VET courses, please contact the TAFE and Training Line:

TAFE and Training Line on 13 18 23 or tafe.courseline@djsir.vic.gov.au

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

Phone: (03) 8537 9500

Email: education@asrc.org.au

For more information, refer to ASVET for people seeking asylum.

Updated 8 September 2025