Fortress Learning’s TAE50116 Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (Dip VET) program is intended for experienced VET professionals who hold or seek responsibility for the full range of activities associated with designing, conducting, assessing and evaluating training within an RTO. NOTE: This course has been superseded and a new Diploma is coming shortly.
Assessments marked within 1-8 business days
A flexible study arrangement
Premium support & fast response times
This course can be challenging and many of you are doing it because you “have to”, we get it so we have gone to great lengths to make the learning material as engaging as possible, we also monitor your progress and reach out if we see you’ve stalled so we can support you to keep going. We are there every step of the way!
The option that's best for you depends on multiple factors, so use the following flow chart to help you determine which option you should look at. If in doubt, our Course Advisors are experts at working this out with you.
Regardless of your choice you'll need to speak to them to book in for your upgrade course option.
This qualification reflects the roles of experienced practitioners in delivering training and assessment services in Victorian TAFES. This program allows for training and assessment of the 10 units of the Dip VET, as well as completion of the following components of the Victorian TAFE Teaching Staff Agreement 2018 (MEA):
To find out what you need to do to get reclassified, talk to one of our Course Advisors now.
In order to complete the practical assessment requirements of the TAE50116 Diploma of Vocational Education and Training, you must;
You must have access to a suitably qualified TAE observer. It is essential that your observer is qualified at a Cert IV level as a minimum (holding as minimum qualifications the TAE40110, TAELLN411 and TAEASS502, or equivalent units), but it is desirable that they are TAE qualified at a Diploma level.
If your program includes TAERES501, in order to complete the practical assessment requirements of TAERES501, you must;
A Third Party Report will need to be completed by an observer who is TAE qualified at an AQF Level 5 or higher.
You may also possibly need ethics approval from your organisation.
There are no entry requirements, however, it is recommended that you already hold the Certificate IV TAE and that you are currently working in a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
We get often asked if you can do the Dip Vet without holding a Certificate IV TAE. Theoretically, it is possible to go straight into a TAE Diploma without first doing the Cert IV TAE.
However, we do not recommend it, and only in rare situations do we allow people to enter the Fortress TAE Diploma program without first holding the Cert IV TAE.
Because we want you to succeed
The core units of the Diploma of Vocational Education & Training require a lot of practical work at an RTO, including training and assessment tasks. These are things that are very difficult to do unless you are working in an RTO as a Trainer and Assessor, and to be working as a Trainer/Assessor in an RTO, you really need to have the Cert IV TAE.
Our experience is that it takes people longer to do just the Dip VET than it is to first do the Cert IV TAE and then do the Dip VET. This is one of the reasons we usually require people to have the Cert IV TAE before entering the Fortress Learning TAE Diploma program.
This course is delivered online, which gives you flexibility in your study hours and allows you to complete the course at your own pace. After enrolment, you will receive your login credentials and instant access to our learning platform. This is where you will find all your instructions, learning resources and assessments.
We know that the TAE is not easy and that it’s not a matter of “if” but “when” you will need a guiding hand. That’s why you will have unlimited access to your trainer and can schedule phone or video calls when you need support. Our trainers are available 9 am to 5 pm QLD time Monday to Friday.
If you are not sure why quality support is important you may be interested in our article ‘Why Student Support Matters“.
We offer this course as a 6-month or 12-month enrolment duration. The enrolment link on this page will give you the choice of 6 or 12 months. Paid extensions are available should you need time beyond your chosen enrolment duration to complete.
Experience tells us that most experienced professionals usually take about six months to complete their personal program of blended RPL and Coursework Assessment (or closer to 3 months if they are bringing in more units via Credit Transfer). These people are usually working full-time and juggling families, pets, holidays and all the other things that seem to complicate our lives. However, some students prefer to have a bit more time to complete their studies. If that is you, the 12-month enrolment period may be your better option.
Experience tells us that the following three factors affect the time it takes a student:
While it differs for different people, we find that successful students usually dedicate 10- 15 hours per week. That said, some of our students take less time, while others take more. It is up to you.
We have a video on Successful Study Habits that will support you to progress through the course in a timely manner. Here is what we know to be true, based on our experience with thousands of students:
The Australian Qualification Framework provides guidelines for the learning outcomes for each AQF level and qualification type. Diplomas sit at an AQF level 5 and are therefore a higher level qualification than a Certificate IV.
If you are looking to complete a Diploma rather than a Certificate IV, bear in mind that the TAE50116 Diploma of Vocational Education and Training and TAE50216 Diploma of Training, Design and Development (both now superseded by the TAE50122 Diploma of Vocational Education and Training) does require quite extensive evidence related to designing, delivering and assessing formal qualifications and leading other trainer and assessors in best practice, so holding the TAE40122 Certificate IV TAE and working for an RTO will ensure that you are able to complete all of the assessment requirements for the Diploma.
The TAE50116 Diploma of Vocational Education & Training includes 10 Units of Competency, which are made up of 6 core units, plus 4 elective units.
At least 2 elective units must be selected from the elective Units (see list below).
The remaining 2 elective units may be selected from any currently endorsed Training Package or accredited course.
We will work out the best combination of units as part of the Personal Learning Plan process once you have started and can change the combination of units through the course to reflect changes in your circumstance.
Some points to remember:
Note: The Qualification Packaging Rules also allow for the import of the Diploma or higher units for a Single TAE Diploma. You can import 2 of them. We will factor this in when we develop your Personal Learning Plan.
It will give you an edge but be aware that this diploma has been superseded and a new and improved diploma will be available very shortly, so you may want to wait for that one to open up. If you do, contact our Course Advisors to get on the mailing list to be notified.
The TAE50116 Diploma of Vocational Education and Training is for people who are committed to professional growth and excellence. These people are the ones who are doing more than the minimum and are reaping the reward, such as;
Fortress Learning’s TAE50116 Diploma of Vocational Education and Training program is designed for trainers already working in the Vocational Education & Training sector who recognise that the TAE50116 Diploma of Vocational Education and Training is quickly replacing the TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment as the minimum standard required to be taken seriously as a professional trainer and assessor.
You will graduate with the following qualification: TAE50116 Diploma of Vocational Education and Training.
By completing the program with Fortress Learning, you will not only gain the qualifications, but you will also gain the confidence that you do possess the knowledge and skills that those qualifications are meant to represent.
We recommend you complete our Personal Learning Plan Survey before enrolment. The survey will ask you questions in regards to your previous experience and qualifications, and will help us establish to what extent you are eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and/or Credit Transfer, what evidence you will need to provide and what coursework will still need to be undertaken.
Fortress Learning trains adults from all walks of life. So we take the time to get to know you and we embrace your work and life experience.
This means your course won’t be like everyone else’s. Your course will be tailor-made just for you taking into account your prior learning and current competencies.
To do this, we ask you to complete what we call a Personal Learning Plan Survey and develop a Personal Learning Plan that shows you exactly what you have to do to complete your course. It shows you which tasks are ahead of you and which specific evidence you need to provide. It also includes a step by step guide to doing it all with the least amount of hassle. And best of all this plan is a living document, which means that if something changes in your life, it changes too.
You can complete your Personal Learning Plan Survey (PLP) now: PLP SURVEY
Recognition of Prior Learning can sometimes be more time-consuming and effort than coursework. That’s why we aim to reduce the endless hours in collating limitless documents to prove your prior learning through our unique live observation method. Our trainers will meet you on zoom to view your evidence in real-time and can ask you any required questions on the spot to reduce the excruciating back and forth.
TAE Units awarded via credit transfer attract a rebate of $150 each, which will reduce the fee to not less than the minimum qualification fee of $1,500. Any rebates are deducted from the final invoice payable.
If you have done the most recent Cert IV TAE (TAE40116)or the TAE40116 upgrade, it’s likely you have completed TAELLN411 and TAEASS502. Both of those can come into your Dip VET via Credit Transfer. That will leave 8 units left to complete in your Dip VET.
If you would like to explore your scope for Credit Transfer, we invite you to complete our PLP (Personal Learning Plan) Survey. One of our trainers will determine to what extent you are eligible for Credit Transfer and what coursework will still need to be undertaken, and we will provide you with a Personal Learning Plan.
But before you dive into the Personal Learning Plan Survey please read about Recognition of Prior Learning.
We want to make sure that you are the right fit for us and we are the right fit for you. Here are a few things for you to consider:
During your Enrolment Interview, before you are able to complete the enrolment form, our student support team member will guide you through a verbal conversation regarding suitability.
The Suitability assessment consists of different questions that will address the technical requirements of the program, such as required IT and digital literacy skills. We will also make sure you have access to the human and physical resources you need for the practical requirement of your course.
This ensures that you are placed in the right course for you before you enrol formally.
If for some reason, during your Enrolment Interview, we discover that based on the suitability responses you give, you cannot continue with the enrolment, we will offer other alternative solutions or refund your fees paid including the enrolment interview fee.
The flexibility of our online approach means that if you need to take a break from studying, we’ve got that covered too.
We offer the option to defer (pause) your studies. Whilst you are deferred, your enrolment is inactive, and we pause your enrolment duration. Then, when you are reactivated from deferment, you pick up exactly where you left off and carry on.
Here is what you need to know about deferring:
The most important thing is to contact us if your enrolment isn’t working out as you had planned, so that we can offer you the best support options as and when you need them.
You’ll be sent to a booking page just after making your deposit payment, to book your enrolment interview and a confirmation email will be sent to you with the details of everything you need to have prepared for that interview.
The interview can be booked on the same day but there is a minimum of a 4 hour gap from applying to being able to do the enrolment interview, this is so you have time to get prepared.
HEADS UP: You will need your USI (Student Identifier) before you get to your interview.
This is done via Google Meet where you can ask any additional questions and clear up anything you’re not sure of before enrolling. This is also where we both get to make sure you have chosen the right course pathway and support package for what you really need.
During the interview we’ll conduct a "Suitability Assessment". This is a series questions that will help us determine if you can meet the technical, practical and skill requirements needed for you to be able to confidently complete this course online.
The technical requirements are things like having regular computer access as well as knowledge and confidence navigating things like email, logins and websites. The practical questions are to make sure you have access to the human and physical resources you need to complete the assessments in your course.
We will ask additional questions about your goals, your online experience and comfort level in learning online, your learning ability plus your availability to study.This is all to make sure you're in the right course and set up to succeed before enrolling formally. This gives you more confidence that you can absolutely get all the way to graduation.
If the course is found to be unsuitable for you, your deposit (including the enrolment interview fee of $150) will be fully refunded. If you don't show up for your enrolment interview or if you change your mind after the interview within the 7 day cooling off period, the enrolment fee is not refunded.
If during your Enrolment Interview we discover this course is not suitable for you, we’ll offer other alternative solutions or refund all fees paid, including the $150 deposit.
We know that right now you probably “need” to do this training and you’re looking for fast and easy so it’s relatively painless for you. We get it, so we’ve spent more time on our end making it as straightforward for you as possible, and finding ways to do our part more efficiently so we’re not the bottleneck!
Don't believe what we say though, check out our reviews on Google and Trustpilot - See what others have said about learning with us!
Upon Application:
After Enrolment:
Please refer to our Refund Policy here for additional information.
We offer flexible payment options for every course.
You can pay in full and upfront, but you can also pay a deposit (which includes the $150 non-refundable enrolment interview fee), and choose a fortnightly or weekly payment plan. When you select "Enrol", you will see the various packages available for your course, and once you select the package you want, you will be presented with the various payment options.
If you want to go back and see another package and their payment plan options, just hit "back".
When you will pay your deposit it includes your $150 non-refundable enrolment interview fee. This covers the cost of the behind-the-scenes work and time taken to prepare and run the interview itself because it is a cost to us. It's also not fair to others who could have booked an earlier time with us when people just don't show up.
We do the enrolment interview to make sure that the course is the right course for you, and that you have all of the resources and the time you will need to complete it successfully (baring any unexpected events that could impact it) BEFORE you actually enrol. We have saved many students money, time and frustration by having this interview and discovering that it's unlikely they will complete it successfully for some reason. We are invested in your success from the start.
If the course isn't suitable for you for whatever reason, you will be refunded the whole amount of your deposit, including your $150 enrolment interview fee. If you simply don't show up, the $150 enrolment interview fee won't be refunded should you choose not to go ahead for other reasons.
If an emergency happens and you can’t let us know you won’t be able to make it for some reason, we’re generous when it matters most so there are circumstances where this enrolment interview fee will also be refunded, but this is only on a case by case basis.
If you are over 40, you may be eligible to receive 50% of your course fees from the government’s Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers (SCOW) program. Another funding option is the Mid Career Checkpoint which offers funds of up to $3,000 to students who return to the workforce.
More information is available HERE.
Right now we are in a space of transition. The TAE50116 has been superseded and for that reason we are no longer publicly offering the upgrade to the diploma, or the upgrade from the single diploma to the dual (which included the TAE50216).
The TAE50126 content has been included in the new TAE50122 Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (VET), so we are no longer offering the dual diploma. The new TAE50122 Diploma of VET is going to be available very shortly.
If you need these versions of the diploma and want to do any of the upgrades, please contact one of our Course Advisors to discuss what's possible.
No long-term financial commitment
More manageable financially
More manageable financially
Full refund (including the $150 enrolment interview fee), if the course is deemed as not suitable for you
Unlimited 1:1 trainer support, booked in 30 min blocks
Assessment marking time 1 - 4 business days
Regular progress check-ins
Unlimited learner portal and technical support
Facebook peer support group
Full certificate upgrade
Unlimited 1:1 direct trainer support
Marked within 4 days
Regular check-ins
Refundable if your application is rejected
TOTAL COST: $X,XXX
Total cost: $X,XXX
Total cost: $X,XXX