TAFE Fees FAQs Western Australia

Article by: Jay
Last updated: Tuesday, 11-Jul-2006 00:00:00 CEST

TAFE Fees vary greatly depending upon your staus i.e. whether you are an overseas student, a native Australian, on a working holiday etc. Use FAQs below to help you find the course costs that match your chosen course path. Most TAFE WA courses are funded by the Western Australian Department of Education and Training. Each year the Department reviews the current TAFE fees and Charges policy and formulates the new policy for the coming year. You may view the current 2006 TAFE fees and Charges policy by clicking here.


TAFE WA colleges also offer some 'fee-for-service' courses which are not government funded. Each college sets its own charges for fee-for-service courses. Refer to the individual college for details. Below you will find further information about TAFE fees and charges for government subsidised courses.

  1. How do I work out what my TAFE fees and charges are?
  2. When do I find out how much my enrolment will cost?
  3. What is the best indicator of TAFE fees and charges?
  4. So what can you tell me now?
  5. What other TAFE fees may I need to pay?
  6. Application fees for full-time qualifications through TAFE WA Admissions
  7. What concessions are available?
  8. When do I have to provide proof of eligibility for concession?
  9. What method of payment may I use ?
  10. Is there financial assistance available?
  11. I reside interstate, what TAFE fees do I pay?
  12. I reside overseas, what TAFE fees do I pay?
  13. I am a temporary resident, what TAFE fees do I pay?
  14. What if I enrol, pay my TAFE fees and then for some reason am unable to continue, am I entitled to a refund?

How do I work out what my TAFE fees and charges are?

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Most government-funded places in TAFE WA courses are covered under this policy.

When studying a qualification full-time or part-time, there are three types of TAFE fees which are payable each semester at the time of enrolling. The following information is accurate for 2006 but will change slightly for 2007 when the new TAFE fees and Charges policy is issued.

  1. Enrolment Fee - is $22.76 per semester or $45.52 per annum. All students pay this fee. An enrolment fee is charged to cover the costs of enrolment. If you have already enrolled and paid the enrolment fee at one TAFE WA college you are not required to pay a further enrolment fee if you enrol at a second TAFE WA college in the same study area. When enrolling in the second college you will need to show proof of your enrolment for that year or semester.
  2. Course Fee - is charged at $1.36 (non-concessional rate) and $0.71 (concessional) per course hour to a maximum of $496.40 (non-concessional) and $259.15 (concessional) per semester.

Example: if you are enrolling as a non-concessional student and the course or unit(s) you enrol into for a semester period have a total of 300 course hours you can expect to be charged $408.00 in course fees. This will depend though on any previous enrolments you may have already made for the semester you are enrolling for.

You reach the ‘maximum’ once you have enrolled into more than 365 course hours, and for any further enrolments within that semester period you will no longer be charged course fees.

Note: 'Course hours' are not always used for classroom teaching . They may include:

  1. lectures
  2. tutorials
  3. flexible delivery
  4. online learning
  5. work experience, industry placement, field work and/or on the job training
  6. assesments
  7. seminars
  8. research
  9. project work
  10. group work

  1. 3. Resource Fee – may or may not be charged per unit and covers the materials, internet charges and any other service you use throughout the course. Resource fee costs vary from unit to unit with many below $25. However, a small number of units have fees over $250.

The resource fee varies depending on the content of the qualification. Some qualifications such as hospitality; art and design; fashion; photography; and aeronautics incur high resource fees. Please check the approximate fees with the relevant TAFE WA information service before applying.

Students studying in Access or Bridging Programs will be required to pay an enrolment fee and may be required to pay resource fees, but do not pay course fees.

When do I find out how much my enrolment will cost?

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You can find out the exact cost of your course on enrolment day. However, we are able to provide you with some estimates before enrolling.

What is the best indicator of TAFE fees and charges?

In December 2006 the course catalogue will provide details of course fees from the previous year. This can provide you with a fairly close estimate of what your enrolment will cost, but please be aware that each year there is generally a small increase in the enrolment fee, the hourly course fee and the resource fees by the current CPI (consumer price index). Under course information you will find a field that highlights the costs associated with completing the qualification or course. This will not be available until December. Please note that this information is subject to change as the TAFE Fees and Charges policy is revised each year.


So what can you tell me now?

The good news is that TAFE WA students do not pay HECS fees and TAFE WA fees are just a fraction of university fees. There are different costs associated with the different types of courses that are offered and you pay per term or semester. Courses that are longer (i.e. courses with more course hours) will cost more than those with less course hours. If you are going to study full-time your total TAFE fees will typically be around $450 per semester and $900 per year.

Short courses for the community and workplace usually advertise the costs with the course offerings and typically cost between $50 to $200. You will see these courses advertised in your local newspaper shortly before the enrolment days.

Fee-for-service courses may also advertise the costs with course offerings in your local newspapers. Each college sets its own charges for fee-for-service courses. Refer to the individual college for details. If you are seeking specific training for your organisation, you can request the college to develop a course for you. The college would typically provide a quote for this work based on your requirements.


What other TAFE fees may I need to pay?

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  1. Individual TAFE WA colleges also charge for other services such as parking and security passes. For more information, contact the individual TAFE WA college information service.
  2. There may also be other charges you have to pay for separately eg; textbooks, equipment or materials or any item/equipment that you will retain as your own personal property.
  3. You may have to pay for any excursion you may take as part of your instruction.
  4. There are different fee arrangements for International students and Fee-for-service training.

Application fees for full-time qualifications through TAFE WA Admissions

First semester intake

A non-refundable fee of $20 is payable by all applicants (other than current secondary school students studying four or more subjects) for applications received before the end of September.

All late applications (received after the end of September and before the final closing date in early January) incur a single non-refundable fee of $45.

Changes of preference incur a non-refundable fee of $20.

Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for Entry incur a non refundable fee of $50 ($20 for concession card holders) in addition to the relevant application fee for entry to full time award qualifications.

Applications submitted without all required TAFE fees will be returned.

Second semester intake

A non-refundable fee of $20 is payable by all applicants other than applicants who were full time students at a secondary education institution during the current or previous calendar year and were studying four subjects or more.

No late applications are accepted. No changes of preference are permitted.

Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for Entry incur a non refundable fee of $50 ($20 for concession card holders) in addition to the relevant application fee for entry to full time award qualifications.

Applications submitted without all required TAFE fees will be returned.


What concessions are available?

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A concessional rate is only available on course fees. The concessional rate is available to students who fall into one of the following categories:

  1. People and dependents of people holding:
    • a Pensioner Concession Card
    • a Repatriation Health Benefits Card issued by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
    • a Health Care Card
  2. People and dependents of people in receipt of Austudy or Abstudy.
  3. People and dependents of people in receipt of the Youth Allowance.
  4. People who are inmates of a custodial institution.
  5. People who have reached the age of 15 but who have not reached the age of 18 and who are not due to reach 18 in the calendar year for which they enrol (that is, for study in 2006, year of birth must be 1989, 1990 or 1991).

When do I have to provide proof of eligibility for concession?

If you are eligible for a concession you will need to produce proof when you enrol. Your concession must be valid at the time of enrolment.


What method of payment may I use ?

Your enrolment is not complete until your TAFE fees and charges are paid in full, or a deferred payment arrangement (Instalment Agreement) has been made.Once you have selected your study options and completed your enrolment form you will need to take up one of the following payment options:


  1. Pay the full amount of TAFE fees and charges by either cash, cheque, credit card, or EFTPOS.
  2. If your employer is paying your TAFE fees you will be asked to provide a ‘signed authority to invoice’ from your employer.
  3. If you are experiencing financial difficulties you may make application on the grounds of financial hardship to pay by instalments but you will still be required to pay a deposit to a maximum amount of $100. You will be given a minimum of 8 weeks from the commencement of semester to finalise payment.
  4. You will also be able to make application for your TAFE fees and charges to be waived if you are experiencing severe financial hardship. You will need to enquire further at your enrolling institution.
  5. If you have not paid all your previous semester TAFE fees you will need to make arrangements with your enrolling institution.

Is there financial assistance available?

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Yes, more information can be found on this subject by clicking here Get financial assistance.


I reside interstate, what TAFE fees do I pay?

If you reside in another Australian State or Territory you will be charged at a ‘fee-for-service’ rate. For more information about this you will need to enquire further at the college that you intend to study at.


I reside overseas, what TAFE fees do I pay?

You are classified as an International student and the fees you will pay will be determined by Education and Training International Western Australia. You should contact them by visiting www.eti.wa.edu.au or by phoning (08) 9320 3777.


I am a temporary resident, what TAFE fees do I pay?

If you hold a temporary visa of sub-class 309, 310, 785, 820 or 826 you will pay fees according to all other Australian residents and will also be eligible for fee waivers and concessions. If your visa is of a different sub-class to those mentioned you will need to contact Education & Training International Western Australia. You should contact them by visiting www.eti.wa.edu.au or by phoning (08) 9320 3777.


What if I enrol, pay my TAFE feesand then for some reason am unable to continue, am I entitled to a refund?

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You are required to notify the college at which you have enrolled of your intention to withdraw to ensure you are eligible for a refund of your fees. Your request for a refund must be lodged within two weeks of the official withdrawal date and it must be in writing.

Full refunds will be granted if:

  1. A course/qualification or module/unit of competency is cancelled or re-scheduled to a time unsuitable to the student.
  2. You are not given a place due to maximum number of places being reached.
  3. You accept an offer of a place in a university. In this situation, you must provide a copy of the letter of offer with your refund application.

Part refunds will be granted when:

You have withdrawn for a reason other than those listed above, and providing you have lodged your withdrawal/refund application prior to or within four weeks of commencing your module/unit of study or before undertaking 25% of your studies (whichever is sooner), you will be eligible for a full refund of course fee and 50% of the resource fee paid.

Pro rata refunds are available upon approval by the college you are enrolled at if:

1. You withdraw due to personal circumstances beyond your control. For example: Serious illness resulting in extended absence from class.
2. Injury or disability that prevents you from completing your studies.
3. Or for other exceptional reasons which you will be assessed by an accountable officer at your institution.

In all cases you will be required to provide documentary evidence eg; medical certificate.







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