TAFE fees for government-subsidised places

TAFE Securing Jobs for Your Future: Skills for Victoria

The Victorian government has announced major changes to TAFE education under the Securing Jobs for Your Future: Skills for Victoria reforms which take effect from 1 July 2009.

VET FEE-HELP

From 1 July 2009, VET FEE-HELP, a scheme similar to the FEE-HELP loan scheme currently available to Higher Education students, will be available to assist eligible TAFE students enrolling in Diploma, Advanced Diploma, vocational Graduate Certificate and vocational Graduate Diploma programs.

RMIT has been approved to offer VET FEE-HELP assistance to students enrolled in a select range of TAFE programs. Therefore students in specific TAFE programs will be able to defer payment of fees through the tax system.

This policy does not apply to those students who commenced their program before 1 July 2009.

New tuition fees - Students commencing programs from 1 July 2009

For students who commence programs after 1 July 2009, tuition fees depend on the program level or qualification level which have been categorized as follows: Foundation Skills, Skills Creation, Apprenticeships and Traineeships, Skills Building and Skills Deepening.

For study undertaken between 1 July 2009 and 31 December 2009, the following tuition fees will apply:

Level name

Program level

Fee per Student Contact Hour

Student fee

Minimum fee (concession rate)

Student fees

Maximum fee (6 months)

Foundation Skills

Foundation level and pre-accredited programs

$1.08

$50

$250*

Skills Creation

Certificate I

Certificate II

$1.37

$105

$438*

Apprenticeships and Traineeships

varies

$1.37

$57

$452*

Skills Building

Certificate III

Certificate IV

$1.41

$120

$500*

Skills Deepening

Diploma

Advanced Diploma

$2.71

$225**

$750*

*Note that as these fees apply for a half-year period the yearly fee maximum applies on a pro rata basis. For example, the intended yearly maximum of $500 for Foundation Skills has been amended to $250.

**Concession fees are not available at the Skills Deepening level except for Indigenous students

Overall annual maximum fee

For students enrolled in multiple programs, the overall annual maximum amount that will apply to all tuition fees payable in 2009 regardless of Qualification Level is $1500.

Example: A student commences their studies at RMIT in July 2009.

Between 1 July 2009 and 31 December 2009 the student undertakes 300 hours of a Skills Building program and 400 hours of a Skills Deepening program.

Based on their enrolled hours, the student is charged $423 for their Skills Building enrolments and $750 for their Skills Deepening enrolments. The total tuition fee amount charged for the student’s 2009 enrolments is $1173.

Fee exemptions and concessions for students in government-subsidised places

Some students in government-subsidised places may be entitled to an exemption or concession on their tuition fees. This includes students with a Health Care Card or who receive government benefits through Centrelink. The concession rate for each program level is equivalent to the minimum fee rate for that level (except for the Skills Deepening level).

Applicants who believe they are eligible must submit an Application for Exemption/Concession form and provide supporting evidence of eligibility before an exemption or concession can be provided. Forms are available from and can be submitted to any campus Hub.

Skills Deepening (Diploma and Advanced Diploma) students

From 1 July, Skills Deepening (Diploma and Advanced Diploma students) will no longer be eligible for TAFE fee concessions. However, diploma and advanced diploma students may be eligible for the new VET FEE-HELP loan scheme to defer fees through the tax system.

Tuition fees for Indigenous Students

The Indigenous Completions Initiative announced in 2004 has been extended to cover tuition fees for all enrolments of Indigenous students in 2009 including under the Skills Reform after 1 July 2009. Indigenous students who commence after 1 July 2009 are entitled to the minimum tuition fee amount at all Program Levels (including the Skills Deepening level).

Fees for TAFE Australian Full-Fee places

RMIT also offers some TAFE places on a full-fee basis for students who are not eligible for government-subsidised places.

More information