The Minister for Education and Training Verity Firth said students planning to undertake a Year 10 equivalent course at TAFE from next year would now have access to a wide range of approved industry-based courses.

"From next year, as part of changes to the school leaving age, all NSW students must complete Year 10 and most students will do this it at school," Ms Firth said.

"For some students, TAFE may be a better option for them and they'll be able to complete the equivalent of Year 10 at TAFE as they always have.

"In addition, students will now have the option of choosing from 150 other TAFE courses which will also be recognised as the Year 10 equivalent.

"For the first time, those courses will be offered as a Certificate II course which will give them entry-level qualifications and improve their chances of gaining employment."

Approved Certificate II courses include:

  • Agriculture and Horticulture
  • Conservation and Land Management
  • Automotive Mechanical
  • Construction
  • Aquaculture.

Ms Firth said individual TAFE Institutes would determine what courses were available based on the vocational needs of students in their region as well as employment opportunities and available resources.

"Our focus is to equip this small number of students with the right skills and give them a head-start for a career.

"What's suitable for a student in the city may not be suitable for a student in Dubbo or Ballina - that's why the courses will be offered on a case-by-case, region-by-region basis," Ms Firth said.

"Students wishing to attend TAFE to complete a course equivalent to Year 10 will need to show they have the ability to study in a TAFE environment and an interest in a specific vocational education and training course.

"For school-aged students who want a general education or those who haven't made up their mind about a career, the school setting is still the best place to complete their education," Ms Firth said.