Fees and payment guide
The fee you pay at TasTAFE will depend on the course you choose and may vary depending on the level of government subsidy available, the cost of delivery, any previous study you have undertaken and/or your personal circumstances.
If you are enrolling in a TasTAFE course you may be eligible for a subsidised rate if you:
- are a resident of Tasmania or working in Tasmania; and
- are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or on a state sponsored visa on a pathway to permanent residence; and
- are of working age.
If you do not meet these criteria, you will still be able to undertake your course, however, it will be offered at a commercial rate.
If you are enrolling in a vocational preparation program you will not be required to pay any fees.
Course fees
Certificate I–IV
To encourage all Tasmanians to achieve at least a Certificate III qualification, a higher level subsidy is available if you:
- are enrolling in a Certificate III qualification (or on a pathway to a Certificate III qualification)
- have not completed a Certificate III level qualification in the last five years.
Depending on your personal circumstances and you/your family’s Centrelink status, you may also be eligible for a concession if you:
- are receiving a Centrelink allowance such as Newstart, Youth Allowance, Disability Support Pension, a Pension, Austudy or Abstudy
- are listed on a current Centrelink Card as a dependent
- have a current Health Care Card.
To claim a concession, you just need to produce Centrelink evidence relevant to your benefit/allowance at the time of enrolment.
Note–
- concessions are not available for commercial/unsubsidised courses or for students undertaking a paid traineeship or apprenticeship
- learning materials such as text books, workbooks or protective clothing may not be covered by the concession
- concession fees are only payable once during a 12 month period for each course you undertake.
You may also be eligible for a child care subsidy – which is available for students who have children in care while they are in class.
To be eligible, your child/children must attend a registered child care centre or participate in the Family Day Care program. This funding is limited, so please speak with a Student Counsellor as soon as possible to see if you are eligible.
Diploma and Advanced Diploma
If you are enrolling in a Diploma or Advanced Diploma qualification, you will be required to pay your fees before you start your course.
If you are unable to pay your course fee up front, you may be able to defer your course fees to the VET Student Loans scheme (formally VET FEE-HELP). This scheme allows eligible students to defer payments of course fees as a loan with the Australian Tax Office.
Find out more about VET Student Loans.
Commercial/unsubsidised
A concession rate is not available for these courses.
Census dates
When you enrol in a course, you will be provided with a nominated census/withdrawal date. This date is the last date by which you can withdraw from your course and obtain a full refund of your tuition fees. However, if you do not financially commit to your course by your nominated census date, you may be formally withdrawn by TasTAFE and you will need to re-enrol.
For students who have a VET Student Loan, your census date and withdrawal date is the same date. If you withdraw from your course after this date, you will incur a debt. All students studying a Diploma need to have a VET Student Loan in place or paid in full by this census date, if not, your enrolment may be formally withdrawn. .
Credit transfer
If you have already undertaken training at TasTAFE or with another Registered Training Organisation, you may be able to receive recognition for the units you’ve previously completed and receive credit transfer towards your qualification.
This means that you will not need to undertake study or assessment in these unit/s and they will be formally recognised as a credit transfer against your enrolment.
You can claim credit transfer for unit/s that you have already successfully completed at any time, however, if you apply for credit transfer at the time of enrolment, you will also be able to receive a reduction of fees based on the number of units that are recognised.
Find out more about credit transfers.
How to pay
Certificate I–IV
For standard and higher level subsidised courses, upfront payment of fees at the time of enrolment is preferred. You can use credit card, cheque or EFTPOS to make your payment at your closest Client Services offices located in Burnie, Devonport, Hobart and Launceston.
If you are unable to make an upfront payment, you will be required to make arrangements to pay by instalments, with a 25% deposit payable at the time of enrolment.
Subsequent payments can be made either weekly, fortnightly or monthly – you will be given a schedule of instalments together with payment options of BPay, Service Tasmania or direct credit as well as being able to make your payments at Client Services. Please note, the agreed payment plan will be no longer than the length of your course.
If you receive regular Centrelink benefits, you may choose to pay your course fees using the Centrepay direct debit option whereby deductions are made directly from your Centrelink benefits.
Note–
- for courses undertaken in 12 months or less, you will be invoiced the full course fee (including any other essential fees associated with your course)
- for courses studied over multiple years, your course and other fees will be split over the years of study, with the concession fee being charged on a yearly basis
- at the time of enrolment you will be invoiced the first year’s fees and an invoice will be raised in the following year (and any subsequent years) around the same time as your ‘enrolment anniversary’.
Diploma and Advanced Diploma
If you are studying at Diploma or Advanced Diploma level, you may choose to defer your course fees to VET Student Loans (formally VET FEE-HELP).
This scheme allows you to defer payments of tuition fees as a loan with the Australian Tax Office, if you are able to meet eligibility requirements. If you do not wish to defer your course fees through VET Student Loans, payment is required before you begin your course.
Find out more about VET Student Loans.
Commercial/unsubsidised
For commercial/unsubsidised short courses and qualifications, upfront payment of your fees at the time of enrolment is required.
You can use credit card, cheque or EFTPOS to make your payment, or we can invoice you/your business.
Refunds
Certificate I–IV
If you wish to withdraw from your course, we will be sorry to see you go – but please don’t just disappear or stop coming!
Please discuss your intention to withdraw with one of your teachers and they will be able to assist you with the withdrawal and refund process.
If you have participated in less than 20% of your scheduled training for the current year of your course, you will be able to secure a full refund of the tuition fees you have paid or are payable. However, if you have been assessed in a unit of competency in your qualification prior to completing 20% of your training, you will be entitled to an 80% refund. The date marking 20% of your course will be provided at the time of enrolment.
You will not be eligible for a refund if you withdraw beyond this period. However, TasTAFE will consider requests for refunds after this period if your withdrawal is due to extenuating circumstances that are outside your control.
In the event that TasTAFE is unable to deliver the course you have enrolled in, every effort will be made to place you into an alternative course (with your permission) without any additional course fees being payable. If the alternative course fees are less, the difference will be refunded, and if no alternative can be agreed upon, your fees will be refunded in full.
If you receive a Centrelink benefit, it is your responsibility to advise Centrelink within 14 days of any changes to your total weekly study hours. Changes may affect your eligibility for payments and/or conditions associated with your payments.
Diploma and Advanced Diploma
If you are undertaking a Diploma or an Advanced Diploma qualification and wish to withdraw from your course without incurring tuition fees, you will need to do this before the census date for your units of study.
You are not entitled to refunds for units of study which are in previous census date periods.
Please familiarise yourself with the Census date applicable to your course when you enrol, or give us a call on 1300 655 307.
If you receive a Centrelink benefit, it is your responsibility to advise Centrelink within 14 days of any changes to your total weekly study hours. Changes may affect your eligibility for payments and/or conditions associated with your payments.
Commercial/unsubsidised
To be eligible for a refund for a commercial short course less than one week in duration, you must notify TasTAFE of your intention to withdraw at least 72 hours prior to the commencement of training.
Failure to pay debts
If you fail to pay your fees before you finish your course, it will prevent you from receiving your qualification – and we don’t want that!
Testamurs and/or Statements of Attainment will only be issued once the fees for your course have been paid in full.
Failure to pay your debts may also result in you not being permitted to enrol in any subsequent TasTAFE courses until the debt has been cleared.
If you are experiencing difficulties in paying your fees, please contact one of our Student Counsellors to discuss your options.
Study load and Centrelink eligibility
Many students are supported through their studies with Centrelink benefits. Most people need to study full time to get Austudy or Youth Allowance.
At TasTAFE, a full time study load equates to 16 hours of study each week, and you will be considered to be studying full time if you’re doing 75% or more of your course’s full time study load.
Find out more about Centrelink support, or give us a call on 1300 655 307 for more information.
Contact us
For more information about course fees, or your eligibility for a concession or subsidy, please contact Client Services or phone us on 1300 655 307.
If you are an international student, more information about your fees and payments is available from GETI (Government Education and Training International) via our International students’ page.