Victorian Pathways Certificate
The VPC is an accredited foundation secondary qualification under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) and aligned to Level 1 in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). The VPC is designed for students in Years 11 and 12 who would benefit from a more individualised program at a more accessible level than a senior secondary program.
The VPC curriculum provides learning based on applied learning principles and serves as a practical pathway into further education, employment and training.
The VPC is designed to engage students through applied learning and provide flexibility to meet an individual’s learning needs. The VPC is most commonly delivered in Year 11 and 12, depending on a student’s individual learning plan and delivery setting. Students who participate in the VPC can include units from VCE studies, including VCE VM, as well as units of competency from nationally recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET) certificates.
Purpose of the VPC
The VPC aims to:
- equip students with the skills, knowledge, values and capabilities to be active and informed citizens, lifelong learners and confident and creative individuals
- empower students to make informed decisions about the next stages of their lives through authentic workplace experiences
- provide students with the best opportunity to achieve their personal goals and aspirations in a rapidly changing world.
Pathways
The VPC is designed to develop and extend pathways for young people while providing flexibility for different cohorts. Post-school, students will be able to make informed choices about future employment or education pathways. Meaningful pathways are created by linking student aspirations and future employment goals to the choice of accredited curriculum. VPC learning programs should link to work and industry experiences and active participation in the community. The inclusion of VET in VPC learning programs helps connect students with broader options for work, further education and active community participation.
Possible future pathways for VPC students include:
- completion of VCE or VCE VM
- apprenticeships and traineeships
- TAFE courses at Certificate I level and above
- employment.
VPC program components
VPC units
Under the AQF, the VPC is an accredited foundation secondary qualification under the Education and Training Reform Actand aligned to Level 1 in the AQF.
A VPC learning program may include:
- VPC units
- VCE and VCE VM units at Unit 1, 2, 3 or 4 level, including structured workplace learning (SWL) for VET
- VET units of competency.
VPC units may be completed in any order and in any year. The units can be delivered in a flexible manner and do not have to be delivered sequentially.
There are no prerequisites for entry into any of the units.
The VPC has 4 studies:
- Literacy
- Numeracy
- Work Related Skills
- Personal Development Skills.
Each VPC study has 4 units.
Nominal duration
Each VPC unit requires 100 nominal hours, of which at least 50 hours need to be scheduled classroom instruction.
The VPC is designed to be delivered flexibly to suit the needs and circumstances of individual students. This can include face-to-face learning and activities such as work experience or supported industry engagement, volunteering and community involvement.
There is no maximum time limit for completion of units. Students can enrol in the VPC at a time of year that best suits their learning needs, abilities and interests.
Students who require additional time to complete the minimum requirements of the VPC in line with an individualised program may commence units of the VPC prior to entering Year 11 or 12, most commonly in Year 10.
VCE and VCE Vocational Major units
The VPC can include any VCE and VCE VM units at Units 1–4 level. For the rules, regulations and policies governing the delivery of the VCE, refer to the VCE Administrative Handbook 2025.
VET
The VPC can include credit from units of competency from nationally recognised VET qualifications. Training from a nationally recognised VET qualification may contribute towards the VPC through the following recognition arrangements:
- enrolment in a VCAA-approved VCE VET program or a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SBAT)
- enrolment in any other nationally recognised qualification at Certificate I or above (block credit recognition)
- successful completion of 90 nominal hours of units of competency from a nationally recognised VET qualification at Certificate I level or above provides one unit of credit towards the completion requirements of the VPC.
For the rules, regulations and policies governing the delivery of the VCE, including VCE VET programs, refer to the VCE Administrative Handbook 2025.
Successful completion of 90 hours of VET units of competency from a nationally recognised VET qualification at Certificate I level or above provides one unit of credit towards the completion requirements of the VPC.
Entry to VPC studies
There are no formal entry requirements for VPC studies. The VPC has been designed to accommodate flexible entry and exit. Students are able to enter VPC studies at a time that best suits their learning needs, abilities and interests.
Parameters for entry and exit in schools are determined by school regulations and enrolment guidelines. If a non-school provider delivers the VPC, flexible entry and exit points are determined by the policies and regulations of that education provider. The About the VPC webpage includes guidance to support appropriate school-based decision-making regarding student suitability.
The VPC has been designed to be flexible so students’ individual needs can be recognised. It is important to note that some students with particular needs may require additional resources to enable them to successfully complete the learning program, while some students may require additional time to achieve learning goals.
The VPC is a foundation secondary certificate developed to align with an AQF Level 1. It is therefore not appropriate for most students as a replacement for the F–10 curriculum, a modified F–10 program or an individual learning plan. The VPC should be delivered to students prior to Year 11 and 12 on a case-by-case basis in reference to the VPC suitability guidelines.
Some students who are re-engaging at school or need additional support and flexibility to engage and succeed may enrol in a VPC program as an alternative to the Victorian Curriculum F–10. Students may access the VCE, including VCE VM, and VPC from Year 10 or before on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the student, guardian(s) and careers counsellor or other school staff.
Specific eligibility requirements for VPC studies
While some VCE studies have specific eligibility requirements, there are no specific eligibility requirements for VPC studies. Refer to the relevant sections in the VCE Administrative Handbook 2025 for these requirements.