TAFE and training course fees
Before you choose a course, it’s important to find out what fees and other costs you’ll have to pay.
Training providers can set their own fees, so they’ll vary between courses and between providers.
In general, course costs include:
- tuition fees
- other fees set by the training provider, for example, student services and amenities fees
- the costs of books and materials.
Find out what information your training provider must give you about fees before you sign an enrolment contract.
For specific information about course costs, contact the training provider.
Financial assistance for fees
To make it easier to pay for a TAFE or training course, the Victorian Government and the Australian Government offer a range of financial assistance options to eligible students.
Government-subsidised training
Currently, the Victorian Government subsidises some TAFE and training courses. This means it gives money to the training providers that deliver subsidised courses. This is so eligible students can pay less for their training.
Training is subsidised because there is a current or predicted demand for jobs in related industries. It also makes it easier for people to pay for training when they haven’t done any study or are finding it difficult to get a job.
Fees for the same subsidised course can differ between training providers, so before you enrol, check with your training provider the total amount you will have to pay.
Victorian Government subsidies are provided under 2 programs – Skills First and Free TAFE.
Skills First
You may be able to have some of your course fees subsidised through Skills First funding. If you’re eligible, you still have to pay part of the tuition fee and any other course costs. Find out more about Skills First.
Free TAFE
Some courses are available through Free TAFE with a tuition fee waiver. This means if you are eligible, you won’t have to pay the tuition fee, but you may have to pay other course costs. Find out more about Free TAFE.
Fee concessions for Skills First training
To make it easier to pay for a training course, the Victorian Government offers eligible students discounted course fees. Training providers offer concessions on Skills First training courses in Victoria.
Concessions are available for Certificate IV level and below courses, and skill sets. You will need to hold one of the following valid concession cards:
- Health Care Card
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Veteran’s Gold Card.
This also applies if you are enrolled under the Asylum Seeker VET Program (even if you don’t have a concession card).
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians can now do any VET qualification under Skills First without the cost of tuition fees. Students can get the Aboriginal access fee waiver at any Skills First training provider.
Training providers can set their own fees, so they'll vary between courses and providers. For information about specific course costs, contact your preferred training provider.
VET Student Loans
A VET Student Loan (VSL) from the Australian Government can cover all or part of your tuition fees for some courses at a Diploma-level or above.
If you get a VSL, you’ll have to pay it back when you start earning above a certain amount.
Your training provider will check your eligibility for the VSL, and ask you for documents to prove that you meet the eligibility criteria.
Find out more about VSLs with these resources:
You can also search MySkills to find out which courses are VSL approved. Look for the blue ‘VSL VET Student Loans’ symbol in the search results list.
Financial assistance for other expenses
You may be eligible to get financial help to cover some of your other expenses while you study.
Centrelink payments
The Australian Government offers financial assistance for eligible TAFE and training students, apprentices and trainees.
Income support payments include:
- Youth Allowance, if you’re 24 or younger
- Austudy, if you’re 25 or over
- Abstudy, if you’re an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
Other payments for eligible students, apprentices and trainees include:
- Education Entry Payment
- Pensioner Education Supplement
- Student Start-up Loan
- Tertiary Access Payment, if you’re moving from a rural, regional or remote area to study
- Rent Assistance
- Youth Disability Supplement.
Visit Services Australia for more information and eligibility requirements.
Support for apprentices
If you’re an apprentice, you may be eligible for financial and non-financial support from the Australian Government.
For more information, visit support for Australian Apprentices.
Car registration discounts for trade apprentices
If you’re a trade apprentice using your car for work, you may be eligible for a discount on your car registration.
For more information see the trade apprentice registration discount page on the VicRoads website.
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