The Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) is one of the senior secondary options available to students in Years 11 and 12. It’s accredited by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and was introduced in 2023, replacing the Foundation level of the old VCAL.
If you’ve been told the VPC might be the right fit for your young person, or you’ve come across the term and want to understand what it actually is, this guide explains how the certificate works, who it’s designed for, and where it can lead.
Defining the Victorian Pathways Certificate
The VPC is an accredited foundation secondary qualification, designed to support students whose learning may have been disrupted, or who would benefit from a more flexible, individualised program than mainstream VCE pathways offer. It’s a Year 11 and 12 certificate, but the pace and flexibility of the program can be adjusted to suit each student.
Unlike the traditional VCE, the VCE-VM and VPC are delivered in a more flexible and accessible way. There are no external exams, and assessment is based on classroom work, projects and applied learning experiences. The focus is on building confidence, foundational literacy and numeracy, work-related skills and personal development.
For some students, the VPC stands alone as the right outcome for their senior years. For others, it’s a stepping stone toward the VCE, the VCE Vocational Major, or further education through TAFE or training. Each pathway recognises a different kind of progress, and the right one depends on where a student is starting from.
Who the VPC is Designed For
The VPC was created with specific students in mind. It tends to suit young people who:
- Have had their schooling disrupted by personal, health, or family circumstances
- Have additional learning needs or a history of disengagement
- Are not yet ready to take on the demands of the VCE or VCE Vocational Major
- Need more individualised content and a smaller, more supportive learning environment
- Want to build confidence and skills before deciding on their next step
Choosing the VPC is not about giving up on academic options. It’s about meeting students where they are and giving them a real chance to finish school, build on their strengths, and move into the next stage of life with the skills they need.
At Cire Community School, every student enrolled in the VPC has an Individual Learning Plan tailored to their goals, interests and circumstances. Class sizes are capped at 15, and a specialist wellbeing team is integrated into every campus, so support sits alongside learning rather than off to one side.
What Students Study in the VPC
The VPC is built around four core curriculum areas.
The four core areas are:
- Literacy. Reading, writing, speaking and listening skills relevant to everyday life and the workplace.
- Numeracy. Practical mathematical skills used in real-world contexts, from budgeting to measurement.
- Work Related Skills. Career exploration, job-readiness, communication, and the skills needed to operate in a workplace.
- Personal Development Skills. Self-management, community participation, problem-solving and active citizenship.
Many VPC students also undertake a VET course alongside their certificate. This provides industry-recognised qualifications and hands-on workplace experience, which can lead directly into apprenticeships, traineeships or employment.
VPC and VCE Vocational Major: How They Differ
Cire Community School offers both the VPC and the VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM), and we work with each student and their family to choose the right pathway. The table below outlines the key differences:
| Feature | Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) | VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) |
| Type of certificate | Foundation secondary qualification | Senior secondary qualification |
| Designed for | Students who would benefit from a foundation-level, individualised program | Students ready for senior secondary study with a vocational focus |
| Pace and flexibility | Highly flexible, can be adjusted to the student’s circumstances | Two-year program with a more structured progression |
| Curriculum level | AQF Level 1 | AQF Level 3 |
| VET component | Strongly encouraged, often included | Required as part of the certificate |
| Common next steps | VCE VM, entry-level VET, apprenticeships, employment | Apprenticeships, traineeships, higher education, employment |
Choosing the appropriate certificate depends on where the student is now, not where anyone thinks they “should” be. Plenty of students start on the VPC, build their confidence and foundational skills, then transition to the VCE VM. Others complete the VPC and move directly into work or a Certificate I or II course.
Where the VPC Leads
A common worry from families is whether choosing the VPC will limit a young person’s future options. In practice, the certificate is designed to keep doors open, and students finish with several recognised pathways available to them.
Common pathways after the VPC include:
- Entry-level VET courses, building on any VET completed during the certificate
- Apprenticeships and traineeships, especially when paired with VET and workplace learning
- Direct entry into employment, with the foundational skills and work-related experience the certificate develops
- Transition to the VCE or VCE-VM, for students who are ready to take on a senior secondary qualification after building their confidence
- Further education through TAFE, which can in turn open pathways back into university later in life
Universities are not the immediate destination after a VPC. The certificate doesn’t generate an ATAR. But for students whose schooling has been disrupted or who need a different kind of senior years experience, the VPC opens doors that mainstream pathways may have closed, and many graduates go on to higher study through TAFE or mature-age entry routes.
The VPC at Cire Community School
Cire Community School delivers the VPC across our campuses at Berwick, Lilydale, Monbulk and Yarra Junction. The certificate sits within our Senior Years program for students in Years 10 to 12.
What students and families can expect:
- Trauma-informed teaching, with R.A.I.S.E. principles (Respectful, Attuned, Innovative, Safe, Empowering) guiding daily practice
- Individual Learning Plans for every student, built around their goals, strengths and circumstances
- Small class sizes capped at 15, with a core teacher plus a learning assistant in every classroom
- Integrated wellbeing teams working alongside students in the classroom, not as a separate service
- VET pathways through Cire Training, our Registered Training Organisation, providing direct connections into industries and local employers
If you’d like to talk through whether the VPC is the right fit for your young person, the next step is to start an application. Each application is considered carefully, with the student, family and school working together to make sure the placement and the certificate are the right match.
