The VCE Vocational Major (VM) is a vocational and applied learning program within the VCE designed to be completed over a minimum of two years. The VCE VM will give students greater choice and flexibility to pursue their strengths and interests and develop the skills and capabilities needed to succeed in further education, work and life.

It prepares students to move into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education and training, university (via non-ATAR pathways) or directly into the workforce.

The purpose of the VCE VM is to provide students with the best opportunity to achieve their personal goals and aspirations in a rapidly changing world 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.

To be eligible to receive the VCE VM, students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 16 units, including:

3 VCE VM Literacy or VCE English units (including a Unit 3–4 sequence)
2 VCE VM Numeracy or VCE Mathematics units
2 VCE VM Work Related Skills units
2 VCE VM Personal Development Skills units, and
2 VET credits at Certificate II level or above (180 nominal hours)

Students must complete a minimum of three other Unit 3–4 sequences as part of their program. Units 3 and 4 of VM studies may be undertaken together over the duration of the academic year to enable these to be integrated.

The VCE VM can be tailored to the needs and interests of the student, to keep them engaged while developing their skills and knowledge. Students can also include other VCE studies and VET, and can receive structured workplace learning recognition.

Most students will undertake between 16-20 units over the two years.

Find out more about the approach to applied learning in the VCE VM curriculum