TAFE NSW Fees, Exemptions, Concessions and Refunds for 2009
Note: students enrolling in Semester 2 for a course lasting longer than one semester will pay the half-year fee, concession fee or apply for an exemption for that year. They will then need to re-enrol and pay the appropriate TAFE NSW fee (or apply for an exemption) for the following year before recommencing studies.
1. Why do I need to pay the TAFE fee when I enrol?
3. Can I get a concession or exemption?
4. What are Special Access courses and do they have fees?
6. Are there other costs to do a TAFE course?
8. What if I have difficulty paying?
9. What if I want to withdraw or get a refund?
10. Can I claim a tax deduction for my course? What about GST?
When you enrol you will need to pay the TAFE NSW fee, unless you qualify for a fee exemption or fee concession. You will not be regarded as being enrolled without the payment of, or approved exemption from, either the TAFE NSW fee or the concession fee.
Until your enrolment is completed, you are not entitled to:
- attend class
- sit for examinations
- receive educational awards
- use amentitites and services (including travel concessions)
- receive an active TAFEcard (which provides access to library resources)
- receive Austudy.
If you are doing a course of one semester or less you will be charged half the annual fee (see table below) unless you receive a concession or exemption.
2009
The fee structure for 2009 has changed and the new structure is listed below:
| Course | 2009 full year fee ($)* | 2009 half-year fee for courses of one semester or less or commencing in Semester 2.* |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Diploma | $1456 | $728 |
| Diploma | $1214 | $607 |
| Certificate lV | $912~ | $456 |
| Certificate lll | $670~ | $335 |
| Certificate l & ll | $428 | $214 |
| Statements and other short courses | $428~ | $214** |
| Apprentices and Trainees eligible for a Commonwealth rebate | $404 | $202 |
| Other Groups: | ||
| Government Benefit recipients | $50 | $50 |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students | 0 | 0 |
| Students with a Disability (first course per annum) | 0 | 0 |
| Special Access courses | 0 | 0 |
* Fees for some courses including TAFE PLUS commercial courses, TAFE Delivered HSC Vocational Education and Training (TVET), international students and temporary visa holders are different to the TAFE NSW fee. Contact your local campus for more information.
Additional course and enrolment-related charges may apply.
** The TAFE Fee for the Selected Study Program is capped at $214 per semester
*** All Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diploma qualifications are offered on a commercial basis. Contact the campus offering the course for details.
~ Students successfully completing a Higher School Certificate or Tertiary Preparation course may be eligible for a fee refund. See below for more information.
Note: the 'time of enrolment' is generally taken to be the date the student and enrolling officer completes and signs the enrolment form or the online enrolment process. This means that if you choose to pay your TAFE NSW fee in two installments you will be expected to pay both installments, even if you may otherwise have been eligible for an exemption at the time the second installment is due.
Higher School Certificate and Tertiary Preparation Certificate TAFE NSW fee refund
From 2008, TAFE NSW students who enrol in and complete 91146NSW Certificate III in HSC Studies, TAFE NSW course no. 6500 or 91178NSW Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (TPC), TAFE NSW course no.6502 at TAFE NSW will be eligible for a refund of the TAFE NSW fee.
If a student completes one or more of the following preparatory courses for the HSC or TPC first, the TAFE fee for these courses will also be refunded:
- Statement of Attainment in HSC Preliminary Studies , TAFE NSW course no: 6501
- 91179NSW Certificate III in Preparation for Vocational and Further Study, TAFE NSW course no. 6503
- Statement of Attainment in Preparation for Vocational and Further Study, TAFE NSW course no. 6504
- Statement of Attainment in HSC Studies, TAFE NSW course no. 6505
- Statement of Attainment in Preparatory Mathematics and Science, TAFE NSW course no. 6509
To be eligible, students must provide proof of course completion (either a TAFE NSW Testamur or a TAFE NSW Course Completion Notice) and apply for the refund at their campus of enrolment.
Note: This refund applies only to TAFE NSW students who enrol or re-enrol in 2008 in one of the courses specified above. It 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.
Diploma of Children's Services
Under arrangements with the Australian Government, TAFE NSW will waive the TAFE NSW enrolment fee for eligible students enrolled in CHC50302 Diploma of Children’s Services TAFE NSW course no: 3295 from 1 January 2009. This fee waiver (for compulsory fees) will apply to new and continuing eligible students undertaking the qualification either by full-time or part-time study.
Other costs
Apart from the TAFE NSW fee, you may also need to pay:
- course-related charges
- Student Association membership
- licence fees.
Protective Clothing
Certain courses require you to wear a uniform and/or protective clothing. Clothing must be purchased by the student and entry to the class will be refused unless the specific protective clothing/uniform is worn. Information as to what you need will be given at the time of enrolment.
Materials Charge
Some courses will require the payment of a materials charge. Details of this charge will be provided at enrolment time.
Payment methods
If you enrol at a campus, you can pay the TAFE NSW fee or any other enrolment-related charges by EFTPOS, Visa Card, MasterCard, cheque or money order payable to 'TAFE NSW'. TAFE NSW is committed to maintaining a safe environment for both students and staff, and has a policy of cashless enrolment at all times. If you are enrolling in a course which required an application, you may have the option of paying the TAFE NSW fee (and other enrolment-related charges) via the Internet.
Students who are re-enrolling are encouraged to make their payments via the internet or by one of the remote payment options offered.
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 unless you pay the concession fee. The first payment is made when you enrol. The second payment is required by 31 May 2008.
Difficulty with paying the TAFE fee
If you feel you will have difficulty paying the TAFE fee or other costs associated with your course or you are suffering from financial hardship you can talk to a TAFE Councellor. TAFE Counsellors can assist students with financial matters as well as career planning, study skills, course articulation and credit transfer and personal issues such as managing stress.
Counselling sessions are confidential except where information is governed by Government legislation and professional requirements. To arrange an appointment with a TAFE Counsellor contact your nearest NCTAFE Campus.
Fee exemptions
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are exempt from paying the TAFE NSW fee.
Students in receipt of a Disability Support Pension, Veteran's Affairs Compensation Pension and students with a disability receive a full fee exemption for one TAFE NSW course per year and are eligible for the $50 concession fee for subsequent enrolments in that year.
Fee Exemption Application form
Concessions
Students who receive a Commonwealth benefit or allowance (see list below) are eligible to pay a concession fee of $50 per course enrolment, rather than the full TAFE NSW fee.
- Age Pension
- Austudy including Veterans Children Education Scheme
- Carer Payment
- Disability Support Pension
- Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment
- Family Tax Benefit Part A (maximum rate)
- Farm Help Income Support
- Mature Age Allowance
- Newstart Allowance
- Parenting Payment (single)
- Sickness Allowance
- Special Benefit
- Veterans' Affairs Payments
- Widow Pension including Widow 'B' Pension
- Wife Pension
- 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.
To find out if you are eligible for a full-fee exemption or concession fee, contact your campus or ring 131601 before enrolling. Your campus can also advise you about what documentation you will need to bring with you to enrol.
TAFE Fee Concession Application form (PDF 55KB)
Centrelink Card Matrix (PDF 81KB)
If you are applying for a fee exemption or concession fee, you need to complete an Exemption or Concession Application form and return it with appropriate documentation to your campus of enrolment.
The TAFE NSW fee is applied differently for...
Apprentices and Trainees - in 2009 apprentices eligible for a Commonwealth rebate pay a capped fee of $480 per year for their apprenticeship or traineeship course.
A list of the Apprenticeship areas eligible for the Commonwealth rebate can be found at Australian Apprenticeships (see heading Apprenticeship Training (Fee) Vouchers).
Eligible Apprentices or their employers should obtain a claim form from their Australian Apprenticeship Centre at sign-up or alternatively download one from Australian Apprenticeships to claim the rebate. Proof of enrolment and fee payment should be provided with your claim form.
If for some reason you are denied a rebate, contact your local campus for further advice.
To be eligible for the capped fee you must provide proof of your Apprenticeship (contact your local campus or ring 131601 for details).
New Entrant Trainees - in 2009, New Entrant Trainees pay a capped fee of $404 for their Traineeship course. To be eligible for the capped fee you must provide proof of your Traineeship (contact your local campus for details).
School-based Trainees - school-based trainee courses are covered by another funding arrangement, so the TAFE NSW fee does not apply.
Existing Worker Trainees - are covered by other funding arrangements, so the TAFE NSW fee does not apply.
Special Access Courses
If you enrol in a Special Access Course you pay no TAFE NSW fee. These courses teach skills in:
- career opportunities
- community training
- employment skills
- literacy
- numeracy
- reading and writing
- school mentoring
- signed language
- volunteer tutoring and
- work readiness.
The following Special Access courses are exempt from the TAFE NSW Fee. An personal exemption application for these courses is not required.
| Course No | Course Name |
|---|---|
| 0077 | 90682NSW Certificate III in Aboriginal Access to Further Study |
| 3033 | 21200VIC Certificate II in Auslan |
| 3490 | Certificate I in Access to Work and Educational Opportunities (90917NSW) - exemption only available in 2008 to continuing students. |
| 3492 | Statement of Attainment in Outreach Access - exemption only available in 2008 to continuing students. |
| 4126 | Statement of Attainment in Signed English |
| 5000 | 91348NSW Certificate III in Vocational and Study Pathways |
| 6513 | Statement of Attainment in General and Vocational Education |
| 6514 | Statement of Attainment in Preparation for Work and Study - Stage 1 |
| 6515 | Statement of Attainment in Preparation for Work and Study - Stage 2 |
| 6516 | 91346NSW Certificate I in Preparation for Work and Study |
| 6518 | 91216NSW Course in Language, Literacy and Numeracy |
| 6522 | Statement of Attainment in ESOL (Access) |
| 6524 | 91343NSW Certificate I in ESOL (Access) |
| 9068 | Statement of Attainment in Employment, Education & Training |
| 9069 | Statement of Attainment in Skills for Work and Training |
| 9070 | Statement of Attainment in Access to Work and Training |
| 9071 | 91349NSW Certificate I in Access to Work and Training |
| 9072 | 91347NSW Certificate II in Skills for Work and Training |
| 9110 | 91351NSW Course in Tutoring Adult Foundation Skills |
| 9111 | 91352 Course in Peer Literacy Tutoring |
| 9422 | Statement of Attainment in Employment Skills - exemption only available in 2008 to continuing students. |
| 9561 | Statement of Atttainment in ESOL (Access) - exemption only available in 2008 to continuing students. |
| 9562 | Certificate I in ESOL (Access) (90490NSW) - exemption only available in 2008 to continuing students. |
| 9565 | Certificate I in Foundation and Vocational Education (90757NSW) - exemption only available in 2008 to continuing students. |
| 9566 | Statement of Attainment in Foundation and Vocational Education - Stage 1 - exemption only available in 2008 to continuing students. |
| 9567 | Statement of Attainment in Foundation and Vocational Education - Stage 2 - exemption only available in 2008 to continuing students. |
| 9568 | Statement of Attainment in Foundation and Vocational Education - Stage 3 - exemption only available in 2008 to continuing students. |
| 9569 | Statement of Attainment in Foundation and Vocational Education - General - exemption only available in 2008 to continuing students. |
| 9831 | 90288NSW Course in Literacy Tutoring (Adult Literacy Volunteer Tutoring) - exemption only available in 2008 to continuing students. |
| 9833 | 90288NSW Course in Literacy Tutoring (Schools Volunteer Tutoring) - exemption only available in 2008 to continuing students. |
| 9999 | TAFE Statement in Learner Support |
GST
Most TAFE NSW courses are nationally accredited and are therefore GST-free.
Courses that are not nationally accredited, but are likely to add to your employment skills, will be GST-free.
Course materials that you must purchase from TAFE NSW to undertake your course are GST-free.
The GST status of a course can be confirmed by your local campus or by ringing 131601.
Taxation
If you undertake a course to gain qualificiation for use in carrying out a profession, business or trade in the course of employment, you may be entitled to claim a tax deduction. At the time you undertake your course there must be a direct connection between the nature of your course and current work activities. The course should either enable you to maintain or improve your skills or knowledge, or lead to increased income.
You will not be entitiled to claim a tax deduction for your course fees where you undertake a course to gain new employment or to open up a new business or income earning activity within an occupation or field of employment in which you are not currently working. You cannot clain self-education expenses against income you receive from Youth Allowance, Austudy payments, ABSTUDY payments, Assistance for Isolated Children, Veteran's Children Education Scheme or similar schemes.
If your employer pays for, or reimburses you, for your course fees, you cannot claim a tax deduction. This expense may lead to a fringe benefit tax liability for your employer and a reportable fringe benefit or your payment summary.
The entitlement to a tax deduction for the TAFE NSW fee will depend upon your individual circumstances. For further information contact the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) or your tax agent.
Withdrawing from your course or applying for a refund
If you are withdrawing from your course or applying for a refund you need to complete a Withdrawal/Refund Application form and post it or return it to your campus of enrolment.
A refund of all or part of the TAFE NSW fee may be given in the following exceptional circumstances:
- You have overpaid the TAFE NSW fee.
- You enrolled in a course that has been cancelled by the campus or Institute
- You have paid the full TAFE fee but now receive Youth Allowance or Austudy commencing within two weeks of the date of enrolment or the date of first attendance at class (you will be eligible for the concession fee).
- You are offered and accept a place in a course at university or at the same/another TAFE NSW Campus within the first three teaching weeks.
- You enrol in a course only to repeat a failed unit/module but are then granted a pass in that unit/module by an Assessment Review Committee.
- You formally advise the campus before classes commence and with no attendance, that you are withdrawing from the course.
- You make full-year payment and withdrew with no attendance in Semester Two. You may be eligible for a refund of the Semester Two TAFE NSW fee.
- The campus delegate is of the opinion that you would be unreasonably disadvantaged if you were not granted a refund, for example, if you meet with a serious misadventure and you were unable to continue your enrolment.
Other appropriate circumstances, such as:
- Extended hospitalisation or illness (two weeks minimum) supported by a medical certificate and resulting in extended absence from classes. In this case a refund of the fee for the second semester may be given;
- Pregnancy/child birth (other than in cases of medical complication covered by the above). In this case a refund of the fee for second semester may be given.
Refunds are made to the student, organisation or third party who originally paid the TAFE NSW fee.
Circumstances not usually regarded as grounds for a refund include:
- Job change
- Change in work hours
- Inconvenience of travel to campus
- Moving Interstate
- Redundancy/Retrenchment
If you enrol in an approved Apprenticeship or Traineeship course without evidence of being an Apprentice or Trainee, you will be asked to pay the full fee. If you subsequently provide evidence that you are an Apprentice or Trainee you will be refunded the difference between the course fee and the capped Apprenticship or Traineeship fee.
