TAFE NSW Fees and Charges

When you enrol, you will need to pay the TAFE NSW fee, unless you qualify for a fee exemption or a fee concession.

Please note: You are not enrolled until your TAFE NSW fee is paid.

TAFE NSW fees for 2009:

Note: Non Australian citizens, non-permanent Australian residents and non New Zealand citizens may be required to pay a tuition fee in addition to the TAFE NSW fee. Temporary Visa Holders should contact the College Coordinator prior to enrolment to determine eligibility to study, details of fees and conditions that may apply. TAFE NSW will conduct an audit of residency status following enrolment.

Existing Worker Trainees and School-based Trainees are covered by separate funding arrangements and are not required to pay the fee.

Fees for commercial courses/TAFE PLUS, fee-for-service courses such as TAFE Delivered HSC Vocational Educational and Training (TVET), international students and temporary visa holders are priced according to a different schedule.

Some courses will require the payment of a course related charge. Details of this charge are available on this website. Search for your course to access this information.

Payment methods

TAFE NSW is committed to maintaining a safe environment for both staff and students and does not accept cash as a means of paying fees. The TAFE NSW fee and any other enrolment-related charges may be paid by:

EFTPOS

Credit cards - Visa, MasterCard

Personal cheque, Bank cheque or Money Order (payable to TAFE NSW - Northern Sydney Institute)

NOTE: If you are enrolling in a course which required an application, you will have the option of paying the TAFE NSW fee (and other enrolment-related charges) via the internet. All re-enrolling students will be given the option of paying their TAFE NSW fees (and other enrolment-related charges) via the internet.

Enrolment-related charges may include course-related charges, licence fees, College Association membership, commercial recognition, temporary visa holder tuition fees or fees for commercial courses.

Payment of the TAFE NSW fee in instalments

If your course runs for more than one semester you may be able to pay your TAFE NSW fee in two equal instalments. The first payment is made when you enrol. The second payment is required by 31 May 2008. Paying by instalments will not be available for students that are eligible for a fee concession.

Exemption from payment of the TAFE NSW fee

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students are exempt from paying the TAFE NSW fee.

Students in receipt of a Disability Support Pension and students with a disability (clients of a TAFE Disability Consultant) are entitled to one full fee exemption for one TAFE NSW course per year and are eligible for the $50 concession fee for subsequent enrolments in that year.

Concession fees

Students who receive a Commonwealth benefit or allowance (see list below) at the time of their enrolment may be eligible to pay a concession fee of $50 per course enrolment, rather than the full TAFE NSW fee.

1. Age Pension
2. Austudy including Veterans' Children Education Scheme
3. Carer Payment
4. Disability Support Pension
5. Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment
6. Family Tax Benefit Part A (maximum rate)
7. Farm Help Income Support
8. Mature Age Allowance
9. Newstart Allowance
10. Parenting Payment (Single)
11. Sickness Allowance
12. Special Benefit
13. Veterans' Affairs Payments
14. Widow Pension including Widow 'B' Pension
15. Wife Pension  
16. Youth Allowance

Note: Students who are recognised as a dependant child/spouse/partner of a recipient of an eligible benefit or allowance may also be eligible for the concession fee.

If you are enrolled in the Higher School Certificate course, you may be given an exemption to do a vocational course related to your Higher School Certificate studies.

For certain Access courses identified as TAFE NSW introductory learning courses, you pay no TAFE NSW fee.

These Access courses teach skills in:
Career opportunities, Community training, Employment skills, Literacy, Numeracy, Reading and writing, School mentoring, Signed language, Volunteer tutoring, Work readiness

To find out if you are eligible for a full-fee exemption or concession fee, please contact the administration section of your local College or send us your enquiry via email.

If you are eligible for a full-fee exemption or concession fee you will be required to complete an Exemption or Concession Application Form and supply documentary evidence supporting your application.

Higher School Certificate and Tertiary Preparation Certificate TAFE NSW fee refund

From 1 January 2008, TAFE NSW students who enrol/re-enrol in and complete either the Higher School Certificate (6500 Certificate III in HSC Studies) or the Tertiary Preparation Certificate (6502 Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation) AND the HSC (Board of Studies) will be eligible for a refund of the TAFE NSW fee.

Students must provide proof of HSC course completion – either a TAFE NSW Testamur or TAFE NSW Course Completion Notice, AND the HSC (Board of Studies).  The student applies for the refund at their college of enrolment.

If a student FIRST completes one or more of the following preparatory courses that lead to the completion of the HSC or TPC, the TAFE NSW fee for these courses will also be refunded:

• 6501 – Statement of Attainment in HSC Preliminary Studies
• 6503 – Certificate III in Preparation for Vocational and Further Study
• 6504 – Statement of Attainment in Preparation for Vocational and Further Study6505 – Statement of Attainment in HSC Studies
• 6505 – Statement of Attainment in HSC Studies
• 6508 – Certificate III in Preparatory Mathematics and Science
• 6509 – Statement of Attainment in Preparatory Mathematics and Science

Note: This refund does not apply to school students or students in other educational institutions. Students must complete the HSC or TPC in TAFE after 1 January 2008 to be eligible. Other materials charges are excluded from this refund. Refunds for the additional HSC and TPC preparatory courses listed above will only apply upon course completion of either the HSC or TPC. The refund applies to all eligible students regardless of the date they commenced their study.

Financial assistance

Financial assistance may be provided by Centrelink for students studying full-time and part-time. Contact your local Centrelink office for an application form to receive Austudy, Youth Allowance, New Start and other types of payments. TAFE NSW counsellors can provide students with application and information packs. Phone 13 2490

Travel discounts

Free travel is available to full-time students studying more than 20 hours a week, who are under 18 years of age and do not work. The Student Administration section can also provide other eligible students with access to concession to public and private transport. You should check your eligibility for travel concessions with the administration section of your College.

Further information:

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