Students in Years 11 and 12 may undertake VCAL. Students who do the VCAL are generally interested in going on to training at TAFE, doing an apprenticeship or traineeship, or going straight into the work place.

The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) is broadening the educational, training and employment opportunities for students who are more suited to learning in an applied, "practical" environment.

The VCAL has four compulsory strands which give students "hands-on" practical work-related experience, as well as literacy and numeracy skills and the opportunity to build personal skills that are important for life and work. The VCAL's flexibility enables schools to design a study program that suits the interests and learning needs of individual students.

Students will also undertake vocational training (VET) courses and work placement in their chosen field. In most cases VCAL students will attend scheduled vocational training (VET) courses and work placement on the same days. The selection of vocational training (VET) courses and work placements for each student is expected to reflect the career interests of the student, providing both the development of workplace skills and experience of relevant work environments. Students who successfully complete the VCE or VCAL receive a fully accredited secondary school qualification.