TAFE at School – Gold Coast
Frequently Asked Questions If you are considering studying at TAFE Queensland, you might have a few questions. To get you started on your journey, we have put together some frequently asked questions posed by students and parents. Please talk through this information with your school, or alternatively, feel free to contact us to discuss. TAFE at School students will be studying in an adult learning environment, as such their behaviour and general approach to study should be respectful to their teachers, learning environment, peers and themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions How does TAFE Queensland competencybased training and assessment differ to school assessment? Competency-based training is a method of training that focuses on a learner’s ability to receive, respond to and process information in order to achieve competency. It is geared towards the attainment and demonstration of skills to meet industry-defined standards, rather than to a learner’s achievement relative to that of others. It is not time-based, as soon as a learner achieves a required competency, they can move on to the next. Competency-based assessment is the process of collecting evidence and making judgements about whether a person has achieved competency. It involves people being assessed against fixed criteria or predetermined benchmarks – such as those expressed in units of competency or accredited modules. Competency-based assessment is not graded (eg: A – F) and only has two possible outcomes – Competent or Not Yet Competent. Unlike school assessments, each learner has a maximum of two attempts or opportunities to demonstrate competency for each assessment task.
Will I have homework? To be successful in your TAFE at School course, you need to revise and apply what you learn in class. It is expected that you undertake independent study and complete learning activities as directed outside of formal scheduled times that you interact with a teacher, either face to face and/or online.
What is a pre-requisite unit? A pre-requisite unit is a unit that must be completed successfully before enrolment or commencement of a subsequent unit. Where a course has pre-requisite units, failure, or an inability to complete a pre-requisite unit may incur an early withdrawal from the course. At the start of your course, the teacher will clearly identify any units that are a pre-requisite, as they are extremely important to complete in the timeframe allocated so that you can continue to progress in your course.
What happens if I miss a class? While missing class is less than ideal, in some instances, it cannot be avoided (e.g. illness). TAFE Queensland on the Gold Coast manages these instances depending on the specifics of the courses (unit), as it depends on length of unit delivery, learning content (theory or practical) covered, and if the absence has prevented you from completing any assessments. You will need to discuss your absence with your TAFE Queensland teacher to determine what impact your absence (planned or unplanned) has or will have on your course. Your teachers will provide access to recorded sessions and/or suitable online resources to revise prior to next attendance, and determine if you may continue in your course.
1300 308 233 | tafeqld.edu.au The information contained in this flyer is correct as of 9 January 2026
RTO 0275 | CRICOS 03020E | IHE PRV13003