Does Certificate III Retail boost your ATAR? 2012

[StumbleBum]

I've searched tirelessly on this subject and I still couldn't find a definitive answer.

In previous threads some have said NO and others YES, neither of which are very conclusive.

So, my question is: Does a certificate III in Retail, or any Cert III, give you an aggregate boost (In 2012)? If so, how much is it or what factors does it depend on?

Also if you are going to respond please ensure you actually know what your talking about and are 100% sure on your answer preferably having some evidence to back you up. (maybe a link to some info on the matter, i searched the web but didn't know where to start)

Thanks in advance, Stumble of the Bum.

[ktrah]

Well, I'm not 100% on this but thought I would share anyway. I just completed Cert III in Retail, and I was told that it contributes to your ATAR score like a VET subject with no exams. So it counts as a fifth or sixth subject and the aggregate you get is 10% of the average of your primary four subjects. A couple of my managers did it when they were doing year 12 (maybe three years ago?) and had it boost their ATAR. But yeah, I've been wondering about this as well - my careers counselor doesn't seem to know much about it.

[Camo]

Be very careful here and contact VACC in regards to this information. I was informed by my teachers the same with my Cert III in hospitality but it was treated as a year 11 subject and therefore didn't contribute. You may not get the marks to be honest. :/

[chem-nerd]

I think vcaa are not very clear on this themselves as currently there is little regulation of how these certificates are delivered and of their quality. There are a group of career advisers meeting with vcaa in the next month to clarify this 'block credit' and how they determine if it can contribute towards atar calculation. I'll pass on information once I know more.

[ellaa81]

I haven't done it personally, but I have quite a few friends who are using it as their 6th subject so they have 8 more spares during the week.
I can't be 100% sure, but from what they've said it sounds like it contributes 2 marks? Just like if you got a SS of 20. I will check with them tomorrow to be sure though. But I'm certain it contributes otherwise they wouldn't have dropped their previous 6th subject (and my school wouldn't have let them!!)