Entry requirements

• Entry requirements are the minimum qualifications, knowledge, skills, experience and attributes you must have to be considered for entry into a course.

• If you do not meet the entry requirements you may be eligible for other courses in the same area

• Check if there are any other external occupational registration and licensing requirements that you need to meet to work in your chosen career area with the relevant professional/licensing body

Under 17 years of age?:

From January 2010, a new law in NSW requires students to complete school to Year 10 and then to continue in either education, full-time paid employment, or a combination of these until at least the age 17.

If you are under 17 years and wish to enrol at TAFE the options available to you may have been affected by this change in the law. To attend TAFE you will need to have completed year 10 or have special permission from school and TAFE to do so. 

Once you have completed Year 10 you can:

1. stay at school and continue into Year 11

2. take up an apprenticeship or a traineeship

3. enrol in a vocational qualification at TAFE or other approved education or training.

4. apply for a higher education course.

You can be in employment, as long as it is full-time, paid work. You can also do a combination of a number of these.

Please contact your School’s Careers Adviser for further information about these changes and your options. For information about TAFE vocational qualifications please contact North Coast TAFE by phoning 1300 NCTAFE (1300 628233).

• Information for Young People (PDF 780KB)
• Information for Students and Parents (PDF 251KB)
• North Coast TAFE Campus Contacts for 15-17 year olds (PDF 106KB) needing advice on TAFE options- or phone 1300 826233 for advice.
• Frequently asked questions (NSW Public Schools website)

With the announced changes to NSW rules for minimum school leaving age to be introduced in 2010, North Coast TAFE will continue to collaborate with local High Schools to provide options for students younger and older than the minimum school leaving age of 17 who are looking to complete their year 10 School Certificate, Higher School Certificate, traineeship, trade apprenticeship or pursue entry into University. North Coast TAFE provides approved industry based certificate II courses to meet the vocational needs supporting employment and education opportunities for young people in the North Coast region.