This combination is recommended to those students who wish to follow a vocational pathway post-secondary school. Students are likely to choose this pathway because they enjoy studying subjects that develop both theoretical understanding and practical skills and intend to pursue a career that requires a qualification earned through an apprenticeship or a diploma obtained from TAFE.

The learning style of these students may not suit examinations or assessments that require them to recall information taught over a longer period of time. General and certificate courses allow students to be graded on assignments and portfolio submissions, supporting them to build skills in organisation and time management.

This pathway, although having no formal examinations, does have an externally set task for each course in Year 12 that carries a weighting of 15% towards the final grade. This assessment is set by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority and is one hour in duration.

Please note that students studying this pathway who wish to have the option of applying directly to university must enrol in the Certificate IV in Business in Year 12. The successful completion of a Certificate IV in Business and a relevant English qualification (see information below) will credit students with the minimum entry requirements into Edith Cowan University, Curtin University and TAFE. It will also allow entry into 6 month preparation courses at Murdoch University and Notre Dame University.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

Specific University Information for Students Completing a Certificate IV

Students can meet the minimum university entrance requirement if they do not complete English ATAR but have the following:

Curtin University
Certificate IV, a C grade in English General and successful completion of the STAT.

Edith Cowan University
Certificate IV, an A grade in General English and a submission of a portfolio.

Notre Dame
Certificate IV, a C grade in English General and successful completion of the written English section of the STAT only. The applicant must receive a written permission letter from the university to sit the STAT.

Murdoch
Certificate IV and a B grade in General English. If the applicant wishes to study Nursing, Teaching, Veterinary Science, Psychology, Law and Criminology they will also need to complete the STAT and obtain the minimum score specified by the course entry requirements.