Frequently Asked Questions

Cire Training is conveniently located in Lilydale. Please note that not all courses will be available from this location, and some courses are delivered at other campuses (Cire partners and affiliations). Check the individual course pages for campus locations.

Our training delivery methods include: On Campus; Workplace; Online; Blended (online and on campus).

Students who notify Cire that they are withdrawing from a course within four weeks of the commencement of studies will be entitled to a refund of the tuition fee, less an administration fee of $50. Students who withdraw from a course after this date, or who do not formally withdraw, are not entitled to a refund. Students with extenuating circumstances should apply in writing to the Executive Manager – Training.

In the event that a course is cancelled by Cire Services, students will receive a full refund.

• Term 1: First day – Thursday, 30th January; Last day – Friday, 4th April.
• Term 2: First day – Tuesday, 22nd April; Last day – Friday, 4th July.
• Term 3: First day – Thursday, 24th July; Last day – Friday, 19th September.
• Term 4: First day – Monday, 6th October; Last day – Friday, 5th December.

Uniforms are not compulsory; however, Cire Community School hoodies are available to order.

No, they don’t. Homework is not a part of the curriculum.

We have a large and exceptionally skilled wellbeing team at each campus. As a trauma-informed school, our driving philosophy of unconditional positive regard for others is expressed daily through our practice of safety and respect for every member of our school family. We apply a strength-based model that builds on existing strengths to help empower our students.

Our conveniently located campuses are at Berwick, Lilydale, Monbulk and Yarra Junction.

The VPC/VCE VM program is a ‘hands-on’ style of learning for students in years 10, 11 and 12. The Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC), and The VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) are senior certificates underpinned by the 5 Pillars of Applied Learning, extending on our existing flexible, hands-on approach to learning at Cire Community School.

Students and teachers will work together to identify personal goals and interests in line with creating an individual learning plan. The purpose of the new Senior Certificates is to provide students with the best opportunity to grow, develop and learn by: equipping them with the skills, knowledge, values and capabilities to be active and informed citizens, lifelong learners and confident and creative individuals; and empowering them to make informed decisions about the next stages of their lives through real-life workplace experiences.

Students can work their way through a selected Senior Certificate to obtain a secondary qualification, transition into work or further study, or engage with a school-based apprenticeship/traineeship. Students enrolled in VCE Vocational Major must also undertake a VET subject in order to gain their certificate. The two Senior Certificates are designed to be flexible, hands-on and individualised to meet student interests and needs. The curriculum accommodates student aspirations, future learning and employment goals. Learning programs in the Senior Certificates are aimed to present students with industry experiences and build connections to the community. Through engagement in the Senior Certificates, students will gain the knowledge and skills they will need to transition to the next stage of their learning or working journey.

Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status means that the Australian Taxation Office approves our organization to receive financial donations as a registered charity.

Our online donation system accepts most major credit cards and PayPal transactions. You can also make a payment offline. We accept payments in person, by post, and over the phone. We accept payment by cheque and money order. We do not accept cash payments as a rule; however, you can make a donation at our Yarra Junction head office where you are welcome to drop a coin or two into our collection box.

No, there is no minimum amount for online donations. However, please note that you will only receive a tax receipt for donations of $2.00 or more.

Your donation will support Cire Services community programs and projects. By donating to Cire, you will be supporting a community organisation to help itself.

All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

You will be emailed a tax deductible receipt upon completion of your donation.

If you misplace your tax receipt, please contact us on 1300 835 235 or email info@cire.org.au. We can email you another receipt.

Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) status is a type of charity whose main purpose is to work to provide services directly to people in need of relief. Cire provides services to youth at risk, elderly, childhood education, and development.

Yes, we do. Cire Training is committed to ensuring that all students achieve the best possible learning to gain employment in their chosen vocation. All courses include return to study support and career planning strategies specific to the industry sector undertaken. This course is optional. The program focuses on developing knowledge of the sector being studied, work practice requirements, and identifies pathways to employment or further education. Study support sessions can be arranged as required.

Yes, we do. The Community Bank Student Fee Support Program makes getting an education easy to manage from a financial perspective.

Other options available are: Cire Payment Plan; Centrepay deductions. Contact us for more information at 1300 835 235.

Cire Services Inc. does not accept cash payments. For your convenience, the following methods are available:

• Credit or debit card payment (MasterCard and VISA) via phone, internet banking or in person
• Direct deposit (all transactions require a reference description to ensure your payment is identified e.g., invoice number or student name)
• Centrepay – this service is a free direct bill paying service available to customers who receive an Australian Government Department of Human Services Centrelink payment, Family Assistance payment or Parental Leave pay. This payment option is set up at the enrolment stage, with one of our enrolment officers providing assistance as required.

There are two convenient ways to enquire about our short courses:

• Register your interest online and one of our enrolment officers will contact you;
• Telephone – call 1300 835 235.

On completion of the initial registration form, you will be contacted to arrange a time for a pre-enrolment interview. If successful and the course meets your needs, you will be offered a place. The final step is to complete the enrolment paperwork in preparation for your course to begin.

Cire Training is conveniently located in Lilydale. Please note that not all courses will be available from this location, and some courses are delivered at other campuses (Cire partners and affiliations). Check the individual course pages for campus locations.

Our training delivery methods include: On Campus; Workplace; Online; Blended (online and on campus).

Cire Training is committed to client satisfaction, continuous improvement of our services, and creating a positive environment where all students feel welcome and valued. The complaints and appeals policy provides an avenue for grievances or disputes to be addressed. The Cire Training Complaints and Appeals Policy and form are available to download from our website.

Students should bring the following documentation to the enrolment interview:

Citizenship/Residency: Green Medicare card, Current Australian/New Zealand Passport, Australian Birth Certificate, Naturalisation Certificate, Permanent resident documentation, Temporary Protection Visa;

Proof of age: Current Australian/New Zealand Passport, Australian Birth Certificate, Proof of age card, Current driver’s licence;

Your current qualifications: Any qualifications or statements of attainment held.

Students who notify Cire that they are withdrawing from a course within four weeks of the commencement of studies will be entitled to a refund of the tuition fee, less an administration fee of $50. Students who withdraw from a course after this date, or who do not formally withdraw, are not entitled to a refund.

Students with extenuating circumstances should apply in writing to the Executive Manager – Training. In the event that a course is cancelled by Cire Services, students will receive a full refund.

Cire Training invites all completing students, teaching staff, and guests to celebrate the achievement of our students at the Cire Training Graduation.

Training is available for people aged 15 and over. Certain government funding is available between the ages of 15 and 65.

Payment of the study materials is due on enrolment with a minimum of 20% of the course fee. Payment plan options are available; your enrolment officer will assist you in this area.

It is up to the employer. Some employers pay, others do not give the employee that option, others use the government incentives to pay towards the fees. This is entirely up to each employer.

You may be eligible to apply for RPL if you have evidence of knowledge and skills achieved that meet the competency requirements of your chosen qualification. Applicants may be awarded full or partial qualifications based on their RPL assessment. If you have previous qualifications, work, or life experiences and would like to discuss your eligibility further, be sure to mention it in your pre-enrolment interview.

Yes, in some industries this is acceptable, particularly in children’s services where a staff member can be employed to work with children without qualifications, as long as they start their traineeship immediately. This is then called ‘working towards’. It is vital for the employer to understand their workplace regulations for their industry.

Once you have permission from your workplace, you can contact Cire Training to discuss your options further. Cire will make an appointment with you and your employer to discuss the process. If you and your employer agree to proceed, we will provide you with the paperwork to ensure that your employer receives their incentives within 6 months if they are eligible.

No, they can only do the traineeship in the industry that they are employed in.

No, as long as you are working in the industry that you are obtaining qualifications for.

The employer is entitled to incentives to compensate for the trainee. To be eligible, the trainee has to be a new employee based on the following: Full-time (0–3 months), Part-time (0–12 months). For more information on traineeship incentives, contact your local apprenticeship centre.

Assessments will take place for each unit using a variety of assessment methods, which could include: observation, demonstration, written questions, verbal questioning, or assignment. Cire Training will keep all assessment material for audit purposes. It is important that students keep their own electronic or hard copy as backup.

Firstly, you need to be working in the industry that you are wanting to do the traineeship in. You must be employed permanent part-time for a minimum of 13 hours per week.

This depends on the qualification that you wish to undertake as a traineeship. All traineeships are a minimum of 6 months in duration. You will work with your Trainer/Assessor to establish the length of time it may take for you to complete the traineeship.

There are a few criteria that you need to consider for the employee: They need to be a Resident of Australia, holding a green Medicare card; No higher qualifications than the one they are wanting to do as a trainee; The staff member cannot be casually employed; Employee needs to be employed a minimum of 13 hours per week permanent part-time to full-time; Newly employed.

Cire can organise the whole sign-up.

Yes, Cire has had trainees sign up to do a Certificate III; once they finished, they sign up to do a Diploma in the same industry.

Yes, we do. Cire Training is committed to ensuring that all students achieve the best possible learning to gain employment in their chosen vocation. All courses include return to study support and career planning strategies specific to the industry sector undertaken. This course is optional. The program focuses on developing knowledge of the sector being studied, work practice requirements, and identifies pathways to employment or further education. Study support sessions can be arranged as required.

Students enrolling in a Cire accredited course will be asked to undertake a literacy, language, and numeracy activity. This is to ensure that you have the required skills to successfully complete the course.

You may be eligible to apply for RPL if you have evidence of knowledge and skills achieved that meet the competency requirements of your chosen qualification. Applicants may be awarded full or partial qualifications based on their RPL assessment. If you have previous qualifications, work, or life experiences and would like to discuss your eligibility further, be sure to mention it in your pre-enrolment interview.

Cire Training is committed to client satisfaction, continuous improvement of our services, and creating a positive environment where all students feel welcome and valued. The complaints and appeals policy provides an avenue for grievances or disputes to be addressed. The Cire Training Complaints and Appeals Policy and form are available to download from our website. Click here.

Students should bring the following documentation to the enrolment interview:

Citizenship/Residency: Green Medicare card, Current Australian/New Zealand Passport, Australian Birth Certificate, Naturalisation Certificate, Permanent resident documentation, Temporary Protection Visa;

Proof of age: Current Australian/New Zealand Passport, Australian Birth Certificate, Proof of age card, Current driver’s licence;

Your current qualifications: Any qualifications or statements of attainment held.

From 1 January 2023, upskilling will no longer be an eligibility requirement for Skills First training. This means that students, regardless of their age, do not need to train in progressively higher qualifications to be eligible for Skills First. This applies to all students at all training providers. For example, a graduate with an arts degree can now enrol in Skills First for a Certificate qualification.

Cire Training has an expectation that all students complete their coursework in the allocated timeframe. This is communicated at enrolment and again at the commencement of each course as a group. It is recommended that all work placement requirements in relevant courses are sourced and commenced no later than the halfway mark into any given course. Cire Training will monitor this with each student throughout the course and offer support where and when needed, to ensure work placement obligations are underway in a timely manner.

Extensions will be considered in exceptional circumstances; we ask that students submit a written request, detailing the exceptional circumstances that are affecting the student’s capacity to complete their coursework within the original, agreed timeframe. This written request is to be forwarded to the Manager – Education and Training. The timeframe for the extension, if granted, will be negotiated between the student, the tutor, and the Manager – Education and Training.

Cire Training invites all completing students, teaching staff, and guests to celebrate the achievement of our students at the Cire Training Graduation. The Graduation Ceremony is generally held in March each year.

Some courses such as Individual Support, Early Childhood Education and Care, Education Support, and Community Services will require students to complete a practical placement. The practical placement is a compulsory part of the learning and assessment process and is completed in an unpaid capacity. Information about Work Placement requirements is given at the initial enrolment interview. Should further information be required, please speak to your tutor/s regarding the hours of placement required for your course. All student placements are unpaid, and students are covered by Department of Education Insurance.

Yes, we do. Please visit the Traineeships page on our website for a full list of all the courses available and further information.

• Complete online Enquiry Form
• Call on 1300 835 235
• Email communityschool@cire.org.au

We look forward to speaking with you to discuss your situation, determine the most suitable level and begin the enrolment process.

• Year 5 – Yarra Junction and Monbulk campuses
• Year 6 – Yarra Junction and Monbulk campuses
• Year 7 – Berwick, Lilydale, Monbulk and Yarra Junction campuses
• Year 8 – Berwick, Lilydale, Monbulk and Yarra Junction campuses
• Year 9 – Berwick, Lilydale, Monbulk and Yarra Junction campuses
• Year 10 – Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) & VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) – Berwick, Lilydale, Monbulk and Yarra Junction campuses
• Year 11 – Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) & VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) – Berwick, Lilydale, Monbulk and Yarra Junction campuses
• Year 12 – Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) & VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) – Berwick, Lilydale, Monbulk and Yarra Junction campuses

Students attend Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9:30AM – 2:45PM.

Vocational Training is an education system that focuses on preparing students for the workforce. VET achieves this by equipping students with the practical skills and knowledge that are essential to entering the workforce for the first time, changing careers, upgrading skills or moving into further education. VET works with the government, TAFE and RTOs (Registered Training Organisations) to help build students’ professional toolkit and competencies to advance their career. VET offers a more time-efficient pathway for students so that they can enter the workforce without the lengthy, costly processes that many other forms of education are infamous for. Cire Training is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) offering a range of courses.

Each classroom is equipped with devices for students to use during class times as required.

2025 All year levels: 2025 School Levy – $700 (full); Concession Card Holder* Inclusive of 2025 School Levy, School Saver Bonus and CSEF – $75. For more information, please refer to our Fees and Charges Policy.

*Eligible concession card refers to a valid, means-tested concession card as determined by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, that includes both the student’s and the caregiver’s name on the card.

Cire Services Inc. does not accept cash payments. For your convenience, the following methods are available:

• Credit or debit card payment (MasterCard and VISA) via phone, internet banking or in person
• Direct deposit. All transactions require a reference description to ensure your payment is identified e.g., invoice number or student name. Payment plans are available upon request. All transactions are conducted securely, and credit card details are not kept on file.

We deliver strands typical to most high school settings including literacy and numeracy. These are often blended into core work, work-related skills and personal development skills and comply with the VPC/VCE-VM program.

Each campus has a few electives per term – these could be cooking, craft, sport, photography, external activities, etc.

CSEF (Camp Sport Excursions Fund) is available for eligible Health Care Card holders to apply for to assist with the costs of excursions/camps.

Monbulk, Lilydale and Yarra Junction have a bus service – this can be arranged subject to availability. Berwick – no bus service (due to public transport connections).

Maximum of 15 per class. Core teacher plus learning assistant per classroom. Classes are mixed based on their program level: Junior Years – a mix of years 5 and 6 students; Middle Years – a mix of years 7 to 9 students; Senior Years – a mix of years 10 to 12 students.

Children completing their three or four-year-old funded kindergarten program in Long Day Care will receive a subsidised childcare amount. This subsidy will be deducted from their fees in weekly installments throughout the year.

We ask you to bring the following:

• A soft toy or comfort blanket for sleep time
• Two changes of clothes.
• Drink bottle
• Infant formula

Nearly, we are open 50 weeks for the year. Closing only over Christmas/New Year period.

Absolutely, all our kindergarten teachers have a Bachelor of Education.

For 3-year-old kindergarten, your child must turn 3 years by 30th April in the year they are attending.

For 4-year-old kindergarten, your child must turn 4 years old by 30th April in the year they are attending.

We recommend you speak to your maternal and child health nurse about your child’s development.

At Cire Community School we create a tailored curriculum for each of our students in consultation with the student, their guardian and Core Teacher. Each student has their own pathway plan with individual learning goals. This Individual Learning Plan (ILP) is reviewed regularly to ensure it is relevant and realistic. We listen to what motivates you to learn and what goals you need to achieve to get the best out of life and work.

The VPC/VCE VM program is a ‘hands-on’ style of learning for students in years 10, 11 and 12.

• The Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC), and
• The VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM)

These senior certificates are underpinned by the 5 Pillars of Applied Learning, extending on our existing flexible, hands-on approach to learning at Cire Community School. Students and teachers will work together to identify personal goals and interests in line with creating an individual learning plan.

The purpose of the new Senior Certificates is to provide students with the best opportunity to grow, develop and learn by:

• equipping them with the skills, knowledge, values and capabilities to be active and informed citizens, lifelong learners and confident and creative individuals; and
• empowering them to make informed decisions about the next stages of their lives through real-life workplace experiences.

Students can work their way through a selected Senior Certificate to obtain a secondary qualification, transition into work or further study, or engage with a school-based apprenticeship/traineeship. Students enrolled in VCE Vocational Major must also undertake a VET subject in order to gain their certificate.

The two Senior Certificates are designed to be flexible, hands-on and individualised to meet student interests and needs. The curriculum accommodates student aspirations, future learning and employment goals. Learning programs in the Senior Certificates are aimed to present students with industry experiences and build connections to the community. Through engagement in the Senior Certificates, students will gain the knowledge and skills they will need to transition to the next stage of their learning or working journey.

Junior Years Program – Year 5 & 6 – Yarra Junction campus only
Newly established junior class currently focuses on primary years 5 and 6, with a pathway to secondary school.

Middle Years Program –  Year 7-9 – Berwick, Mt Evelyn and Yarra Junction

Students in years 7, 8 & 9 are combined in a Middle Years class comprising of a maximum of 15 students, 1 Learning Assistant and their Core Teacher. In this class, students will spend around two-thirds of their time together in their core class group working on an integrated curriculum that focuses on practising and development of genuine independent learning skills, problem-solving, active collaboration, leadership, teamwork and presentation skills. Individuals also choose two subjects of interest as electives to complete their course.

Senior Years Program
Senior Certificates – Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) & VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) – Year 10 – 12, Berwick, Mt Evelyn/Lilydale and Yarra Junction.