South Australian Micro-credentials

Micro-credentials in South Australia

A micro-credential is shorter than a qualification and certifies the learning of a defined set of skills, knowledge and attributes through a bite-sized course. It provides businesses with flexibility to rapidly adjust to changes in technology and the labour market.

Micro-credentials increasingly play a role in a range of settings, including work readiness, upskilling and reskilling, transitioning workers, and supporting people to gain additional skills and knowledge outside of their qualifications. They provide an opportunity for workers to engage in lifelong learning through shorter training opportunities as they progress through their career.

In South Australia, micro-credentials are endorsed by the South Australian Skills Commission and focus on encouraging people to gain the contemporary skills, knowledge and attributes to develop more competitive businesses.

Employers benefit from their staff undertaking timely and targeted training that addresses current or future skills needs identified by industry, while individuals gain a recognised credential that can help them to get a job, change jobs, develop their career, and work towards a full qualification.

View endorsed Micro-credentials

South Australian Skills Commission Endorsement principles

A South Australian Skills Commission endorsed micro-credential provides businesses and individuals with confidence that the course can deliver the contemporary skills required by industry.

South Australian Skills Commission Endorsement is determined based on the course’s alignment with the following five principles:

1. An industry-recognised skills gap that cannot be met through current nationally accredited training systems.
2. Certification of a person’s learning outcomes, including skills and competencies that reflect elements of licensing and other regulatory requirements (local, national and international) or contemporary industry practices.
3. Assessment of learning outcomes include core transferable skills and core job-specific skills required for job roles as identified by industry.
4. Supports people to adapt to changing job roles and workplaces, and/or to transition to a new industry.
5. Supports pathways between the school, vocational education and higher education sectors, and can provide a pathway to accredited courses.

To request endorsement of a micro-credential by the Commission, please complete and submit an Expression of Interest.

All micro-credentials include a statement of purpose, learning outcomes and evidence of current or anticipated need by industry, employers or the community.

The outcomes and impact of the program are subject to evaluation at the end of the pilot.

Course development

South Australia’s course development advisory service supports industry to develop micro-credentials for endorsement by the Commission.

This service can also help develop nationally recognised accredited courses for approval by the Australian Skills Quality Authority.

Before looking to develop a new course, you can check what courses are currently available through the National Register of VET.

To find out which courses the South Australian Government subsidises, go to Skilled Careers.

If your business or industry needs new training developed, the advisory service can guide you through the course development process. For assistance, please contact us.