MCIE delivers VET Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS) programs for Victorian schools in early childhood education and care, and in allied health assistance.
Students attend one scheduled class each week — a half or full day, as arranged with their school — alongside their VCE or VCE Vocational Major. Both programs run over two years and lead to a Statement of Attainment for the units completed.
Programs are delivered at the student’s own school, at MCIE’s Melbourne City campus, or at Ballarat, depending on the arrangement with each school.
Students apply through their school. If you are a student or parent, speak to your school’s VET or careers coordinator.
Planning your 2027 VET program
Term 3 is when most Victorian schools finalise their VET offering for the following year, alongside subject selection. If you are a VET coordinator or careers practitioner building your 2027 program, this is the right time to talk to us.
We work with each school to confirm course demand, delivery arrangements and timetabling, and we provide program cost information to schools in September. Delivery dates and timetables are agreed with each participating school rather than set centrally.
Schools and VET coordinators
Email info@mcie.edu.au or call 1300 737 004 to arrange a 2027 planning conversation
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Students and Parents
Speak to your school’s VET or careers coordinator about including an MCIE program in your 2027 subject selection.
So, How does it work?
MCIE works with each school to design a VETDSS arrangement that fits its timetable and student numbers. Programs are delivered on site at the school or at an MCIE campus, by MCIE trainers or, where a school arranges it, by the school under MCIE’s oversight.
- Delivery arrangements are agreed with each school or VET cluster.
- Students apply through their school.
- MCIE brings experienced trainers, industry-current facilities and structured program support to every school partnership. Students who complete a program may apply to continue into the full qualification at MCIE or another registered training organisation, subject to that provider’s entry requirements.
How can students study this course and where?
- Students attend one scheduled class each week during school terms — a half or full day, as arranged with their school.
- Classes are held at the student’s own school, at MCIE’s Melbourne City campus, or at Ballarat.
- Schools and students are notified of the delivery schedule and timetable in advance.
Upon successful completion of the program, students:
- Receive a Statement of Attainment listing the units of competency they have successfully completed
- Build practical, industry-current skills and workplace confidence
- May apply to continue into the full qualification, or a related qualification, at MCIE or another registered training organisation, subject to that provider’s entry requirements
Who these programs are for
VETDSS is designed for secondary students in Years 10, 11 and 12 who want practical, industry-based skills as part of their VCE or VCE Vocational Major.
Both MCIE programs run over two years. Places in the first year are prioritised for students in Years 10 and 11, and Year 12 students are not encouraged to start the first year of a two-year program.
There are no formal entry requirements for either qualification. Before enrolment, students complete a language, literacy and numeracy assessment, and MCIE works with the school and parents to confirm the program is a good fit. Students need access to a laptop or tablet to complete online assessment tasks.
Programs run subject to sufficient student numbers.
Your school’s VET or careers coordinator is your first point of contact. They confirm eligibility, apply to MCIE on your behalf, and stay involved throughout the program.
CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (partial completion)
This course provides both the theoretical and practical training linked directly to Early Childhood educators’ work.
- Qualification: CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Outcome: Statement of Attainment for the units successfully completed
- Duration: two years
- Delivery: one scheduled class each week — half or full day, as arranged with the school
- Locations: at the student’s school, MCIE Melbourne City campus, or Ballarat
- Entry: places in the first year are prioritised for Years 10 and 11
- Work placement: minimum 40 hours in each year — 80 hours across the two years
- Includes: HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an education and care setting
- Requirements: access to a laptop or tablet
The course includes:
- Practising skills in simulated and real-life working environments
- Learning about health and safety in the workplace and understanding how PLAY can support children’s growth and development
- Developing self-management skills – supporting personal development and contributing effectively in the workforce.
We use a combination of scenario, project-based practical, theory and portfolio tasks in assessment.
Work Placement
Students complete a minimum of 40 hours of work placement in each year of the program — 80 hours across the two years.
Before starting work placement, students must complete National Child Safety Training and provide MCIE with their certificate of completion.
VCE and VCE Vocational Major credit
This is a non-scored VCE VET program. It contributes to the Industry Specific Skills and Work Related Skills strands of the VCE Vocational Major.
ATAR: a non-scored Unit 3-4 sequence may contribute to the ATAR as an increment (fifth or sixth study), calculated as 10 per cent of the fourth study score of the primary four. ATAR contribution is subject to VTAC policies.
The exact VCE VET credit available depends on the units completed. Your school’s VET coordinator can confirm the credit that applies.
Skills and Pathways
Students build practical skills in supporting children’s learning, wellbeing, health and safety, working in both simulated and real early childhood settings.
After Year 12, students may apply to continue into the full Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care at MCIE, or with another registered training organisation. Entry to any further course is subject to that provider’s entry requirements.
HLT33021 Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance (partial completion)
- Qualification: HLT33021 Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
- Outcome: Statement of Attainment for the units successfully completed .
- Duration: two years
- Units: 10 units — 6 core and 4 elective, with 7 units in Year 1 and 3 units in Year 2
- Delivery: one scheduled class each week — half or full day, as arranged with the school
- Locations: at the student’s school, MCIE Melbourne City campus, or Ballarat
- Entry: places in the first year are prioritised for Years 10 and 11
- Work placement: not required — practical skills are assessed in a simulated health environment
- Includes: HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
Requirements: access to a laptop or tablet
Successful completion of this two-year program entitles the student to a Statement of Attainment for the units completed, towards HLT33021 Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance.
VCE and VCE Vocational Major credit
This program is delivered under the VCE VET Health program. It contributes to the Industry Specific Skills and Work Related Skills strands of the VCE Vocational Major.
Students may be eligible for VCE VET Units 1 and 2 in Year 1, and a Unit 3-4 sequence in Year 2. Students may choose to undertake scored assessment in Year 2 to receive a study score, or complete the Unit 3-4 sequence non-scored.
ATAR: where scored assessment is undertaken, the study score may contribute to the ATAR as one of the primary four studies or as an increment. Where the sequence is completed non-scored, it may contribute as a fifth or sixth study increment, calculated as 10 per cent of the fourth study score of the primary four. ATAR contribution is subject to VTAC policies.
Work Placement
This program does not include a required work placement period. Practical skills are taught and assessed in simulated health environments that reflect real workplace conditions.
Where a school arranges a formal workplace placement, it may be recognised for additional VCE credit through Structured Workplace Learning Recognition.
Skills and Pathways
Students develop skills and knowledge that apply across a range of health settings, and explore roles such as allied health assistant, therapy assistant and patient services assistant.
After Year 12, students may apply to continue into further study in health or allied health at MCIE or another provider. Entry to any further course is subject to that provider’s entry requirements. Some health professions, including nursing, require a separate qualification and professional registration.
Why MCIE?
Experienced teachers
MCIE employs experienced teaching staff who have demonstrated strong industry experience and are committed to promoting a culture of learning and achievement.
Modern facilities
At MCIE, our training facilities promote great learning opportunities. Our modern facilities in Melbourne’s CBD meet industry requirements and include the Childhood Education and Care and Aged Care simulation training rooms and commercial training kitchens. Our facilities help our students develop the practical skills needed to be at the top of their game.
Trusted by Victorian schools
MCIE delivers VETDSS programs in partnership with 22 Victorian secondary schools across early childhood education and care and allied health assistance (as at 4 June 2026). Programs run at government, Catholic and independent schools, delivered on site at the school or at an MCIE campus.