Skip to Content

TAFE Fees

On this page


Government Subsidised Places

For all courses and students that are eligible for Government subsidised places the training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.


Back to Top

Eligibility Guidelines for Government Subsidised Places

To be eligible for a Government subsidised place you may need to satisfy both citizenship and prior qualification criteria. This is dependant on your age as at 1 January, 2012.

If you are aged under 20 on 1 January, 2012, and you meet the citizenship requirement, you will be eligible for a government subsidised place.

If you are aged 20 or over on 1 January, 2012, you will need to satisfy both citizenship and prior qualification criteria unless you are enrolling into a Apprenticeship or a Foundation Skills course to be eligible for a government subsidised place

Citizenship Requirement - To be eligible for a Government subsided place you must be an Australian citizen, a holder of a permanent resident visa, a holder of a Special Category Visa (New Zealand sub-class 444), an East Timorese asylum seeker or a holder of a Temporary Protection Visa. If you do not meet the citizenship requirement you may be able to enrol as an international student, contact Swinburne International for further details.

Delivery of Training - To be eligible to receive government funding the undertaking of training must take place in Victoria . However, if you are residing interstate then you may be eligible to enrol as a full fee paying student.

Prior Qualification Requirement – If you are 20 or over on 1 Jan in which the course commences then you must be enrolling into a course at a higher qualification level than the qualification you currently hold to be eligible for a government subsidised place.

A Vocational Graduate Certificate or Vocational Graduate Diploma are considered by the Australian Qualifications Framework to be of a higher Qualification than a Bachelor Degree for the purpose of eligibility into a Government Subsidised place.

Number of Government Subsidised courses - Additional eligibility criteria for the Victorian Training Guarantee came into effect from the 8th February 2012. These criteria relate to the number of government subsidised courses a student can undertake in a year, and how many government subsidised courses a student can undertake at any one time.

The new criteria means that an individual accessing training under the Victorian Training Guarantee can:

  • commence a maximum of two government subsidised courses in 2012 and
  • undertake training in no more than two government subsidised courses at any one time.

Exclude courses that:

  • you commenced prior to 1 January 2012, and are continuing in 2012, and
  • are in the Foundations Skills category
  • are in the list of approved Pre-Apprenticeship and Pathway qualifications. This exclusion ONLY applies to students seeking to enrol as an Apprentice

You must complete a 2012 Additional Student Eligibility Criteria Declaration form at the time of enrolment


Back to Top

A Quick Guide for 2012


Click the image to view larger diagram

 

Please note: The following qualifications are equivalent to a Certificate ll

  • the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (Senior);
  • the Victorian Certificate of Education and its predecessor qualifications;
  • the International Baccalaureate Diploma; and
  • senior secondary school certificates from other Australian jurisdictions.

The following prior qualifications are NOT taken into account:

  • qualifications listed in the Foundation Skills category
  • any VET certificates completed as part of a senior secondary qualification
  • qualifications with the title Course in..,' which are not aligned to a specified level within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
  • non-Australian qualifications, except where equivalency has been formally established with a qualification within the AQF.

Back to Top

TAFE Eligibility Assessment Tool

The Australian Government subsidises the cost of study for most students. To be eligible for a government subsidised place you must meet the citizenship requirement and prior qualification requirement.

This eligibility assessment tool will help you determine if you may be eligible for a government-subsidised place.

If you need further information, please contact us on 1300 368 777.


If you are NOT eligible for a Government Subsidised Place?


Back to top

Government supported fee rates and rules

2012 Tuition Fees for Government Subsidised Students

The fee schedule is based on course categories defined as below:

Tuition Structure Award Fee per Student Contact Hour Concession up to Tuition Fee up to
Foundation Skills Certificate I, II, III & IV level, VCAL (Foundation) $1.08 $50 $500
Skills Creation Certificate I & II $1.62 $105 $875
Apprenticeships
(Note - Prior Qualification rule does not apply)		 All courses taken as part of an apprenticeship training contract, at any level $2.17 $187 $1,250
Traineeships All courses taken as part of a traineeship training contract, at any level $2.17 $187 $1,250
Skills Building Certificate III & IV $2.17 $187 $1,250
Skills Deepening Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma $4.33 Concession only applies to youth under 25 as at 1st January, 2012 with a valid HCC card $2,500

Students enrolling in more than one skill level will pay Tuition Fee up to $2,500 tuition fee per calendar year.


Back to Top

Enrolments Prior to July 2009 (Fee Maintenance)

Fees and fee rules relating to students who commenced study in a course in a government-funded place prior to 1 July 2009 are referred to as 'Fee Maintenance'. Students must remain continuously enrolled or undertake an approved break in study in the same course to remain with the Fee Maintenance rates and fee rules for that course.

Fee Maintenance Tuition Amount 2012
Rate per Scheduled Hour (SCH) $1.47
Minimum Fee / Concession Fee $59.00
Maximum Fee / Fee Cap $939.00

Back to Top

Additional Course Enrolments

If you enrol into more than one course category, then you will be charged separately for each course category up to the calendar year maximum tuition fee of $2500.00.


Back to Top

Amenities Fee for all course categories

These funds are used to provide services of direct benefit to students. This fee is charged for a calendar year and is dependent on enrolment criteria as follows.

Amenities Fee Concessions apply to ALL course categories if the student has a current HCC at time of enrolment.

Total of Student Contact Hours per Calendar Year Amenities Fee Payable
540 + hours $209.00
540 + hours, concession $147.00
0 - 539 hours $147.00
0 - 539 hours concession $103.00
Distance Venue (Off Campus), full Year $45.00
VET in Schools, $0.00
*Workplace Training, full year $0.00

* Workplace Training defines courses that are conducted entirely in the workplace, by contract.


Back to Top

Materials Fee

Materials fees are paid for items used in your course which you then own. Some courses do not have materials fees. Details on materials fees (if applicable) will be provided by your School.


Back to Top

Ancillary Fee

In some cases there may be an inclusion of an ancillary fee to cover such things as excursion fees, club memberships and services provided in the support of your training.


Back to Top

Concession

Tuition Fee Concession and Amenities Fee Concession

To be eligible for the concessions you must be the holder of a current:

  • Health Care Card (HCC),
  • Pensioner Concession Card
  • Veterans Gold Card
  • or a dependent spouse or dependent child of such a cardholder.

A current HCC or letter of eligibility for a HCC from Centrelink, MUST be shown at the time of enrolment to receive this concession. Students without a HCC at the time of enrolment must pay non concession rate.

Important: You should apply now if you believe you are eligible for a Health Care Card.


Government supported places for enrolments commencing prior to 1 July 2009 (Fee Maintenance)

A valid concession card holder will be eligible for the minimum tuition fee specified for the Fee Maintenance students and the concession rate of the amenities fee.


Government supported places for enrolments commencing from 1 July 2009

Certificates I to IV: Foundation Skills, Skills Creation, Skills Building, Apprenticeships and Traineeships courses

A valid concession card holder will be eligible to pay tuition fees up to the concession fee limit specified for the relevant course category and the concession rate of the amenities fee.

Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Vocational postgraduate: Skills Deepening courses

Other than the new Youth Concession for Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas in 2011, tuition fee concessions do not apply to these enrolments; however a valid concession card holder will be eligible for the concession rate of the amenities fee.

Skills Deepening courses: Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Vocational postgraduate

Other than the under 25 Youth Concession for Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas in 2012, tuition fee concessions do not apply to Skills Deepening Courses; however a valid concession card holder will be eligible for the concession rate on the amenities fee. Students undertaking Skills Deepening Courses may be eligible to apply for VET FEE HELP (Please read eligibility criteria for VET FEE HELP).

$100 Youth Concession – Government subsidised Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas

Skills Victoria has introduced a Youth Concession tuition fee for enrolments in Diplomas and/or Advanced Diplomas. Course tuition fees will be up to $100 for all eligible enrolments in that course category in 2012. The concession rate of the amenities fee applies. To be eligible, a student must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Enrolled in a government subsidised place
  • Be under 25 years of age on 1 January 2012
  • Be a holder of a valid concession card at the time of enrolment or re-enrolment

Information on other available fee concessions are below:

Indigenous Completions Initiative

Under the Indigenous Completions Initiative Indigenous students eligible for the Victorian Training Guarantee will pay tuition fees up to the Concession Fee limit.

  • For Skills Deepening courses, Indigenous students will pay a tuition fee of up to $375

Tuition Fee Schedule for Indigenous Completions Initiative from 1 January 2012.

Course Category Award Concession Fee Maximum
Foundation Foundation Level Courses Up to $50
Skills Creation Certificate I and II Up to $105
Skills Building Certificate III and IV Up to $187
Skills Deepening Diploma and Advanced Diploma Up to $375
Apprenticeships Various Up to $187
Traineeships Various Up to $187

Full fee paying places

Tuition fee concessions do not apply to these enrolments; however a valid concession card holder will be eligible for the concession rate of the amenities fee.


Back to Top

VET FEE HELP

Swinburne University of Technology can offer you VET FEE-HELP in 2012 if you are:

  • an eligible student enrolling in a Diploma or Advanced Diploma course (applies to both existing and new students, for both government subsidised and full fee paying places); or,
  • an eligible student enrolling in a Vocational Graduate Certificate course (applies to both existing and new students for full fee paying places only).

VET FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme enabling you to defer part or all of your tuition fees, and re-pay them via the Australian taxation system once your income reaches a certain threshold ($47,195 in 2011 - 2012 financial year).

There is no loan fee for government subsidised students, however a 20% loan fee does apply to full fee students, and is added onto your VET FEE-HELP debt.


Who is eligible for VET FEE-HELP?

To be eligible for VET FEE-HELP, you must be either:

  • an Australian citizen or
  • a permanent humanitarian visa holder. Applies to visa subclasses: 200 - 217, 803, 807, 809, 810, 817, 851(CD), 866.
    Please note: permanent residents and New Zealand citizens are not eligible for VET FEE-HELP.
  • In addition, you must also have a sufficient lifetime VET FEE-HELP (FEE-HELP) balance available. In 2012, students are entitled to $89,706 in VET FEE-HELP and FEE-HELP combined, over their lifetime.

How do I apply for VET FEE-HELP?

If you are interested in applying for VET FEE-HELP, you must:

  • read the VET FEE-HELP booklet carefully
  • complete the Request for VET FEE-HELP assistance form
  • bring either your Tax File Number or a 'Certificate of Application for a Tax File Number' to enrolment. This is obtained from the Australian Taxation Office, and should be provided either at enrolment or to Student Administration no later than two weeks after your enrolment.
  • bring the original and a photocopy or a certified copy of your citizenship evidence to enrolment.

Back to Top

Full Fee Paying Rates

This schedule sets out units of study for which eligible students may request VET-FEE-HELP assistance to pay for some or all of their tuition fees. It includes unit fee rates for both government subsidised and Full Fee Paying Courses. If you are eligible for a government subsidised place, this fee-schedule should be read in conjunction with information outlined in the 2012 Tuition Fees for Government Subsidised Student.

Please note: Only Tuition Fee is eligible to be deferred to VET FEE HELP. Amenities Fee, Material fee and any ancillary fees must be paid by the Payment Due Date.

Back to Top

Payment Due Dates and Census Dates

Teaching Period Payment Due Date # Census Date
0 09/01/2012 20/01/2012
1 02/03/2012 09/03/2012
2 02/03/2012 31/03/2012
3 27/04/2012 04/05/2012
4 22/06/2012 06/07/2012
5 10/08/2012 17/08/2012
6 10/08/2012 07/09/2012
7 28/09/2012 05/10/2012
8 09/11/2012 07/12/2012

# Census dates in TAFE are relevant to the following courses: TAFE Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma courses.


Students withdrawing from a Skills Deepening level course or units on or prior to the census date will have their VET FEE-HELP application cancelled for those units. Students must officially withdraw via submission of a Withdrawal form.

A VET FEE-HELP debt will still be incurred by students for those units in which they withdraw after the unit census date has passed.

It is critical that students take note of the census dates affecting their Teaching periods.


Payment Due Date

Certificate level courses

You will receive an enrolment advice and invoice after enrolling. You will have approximately 10 days to pay your fees (all tuition, amenities and materials if applicable) from the invoice date.

Back to Top

How to Pay Your Fees


Back to Top

Government course tuition fee exemptions

Children's Services Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas

Students who are eligible for Government subsidised places and are enrolled into the following courses are exempt from paying tuition fees in 2012:

  • CHC50908 – Diploma of Children's Services (Early Childhood Education and Care)
  • CHC60208 – Advanced Diploma of Children's Services
  • CHC50302 – Diploma of Children's Services
  • CHC60202 – Advanced Diploma of Children's Services

Back to Top

Changing your Enrolment

You must submit a Withdrawal from Course Form (for the entire course) or Amendment to Enrolment Form (for subjects withdrawal) available online at the Student Forms website. Forms must be submitted to school for approval. No withdrawals or amendments can be done without an official form submitted by the student.

If you add courses or units to your enrolment you may be required to pay additional fees.

Withdrawing from your certificate course after enrolment

  • Prior to the Official Course Commencement date there will be no charge.
  • Within 4 weeks of the Official Course Commencement an administrative fee may apply.
  • After 4 weeks from the Official Course Commencement date you will be liable for all tuition and amenities fees.
  • Any unused portion of material fees paid may be refunded as advised by the teaching department.

Withdrawing from Your Diploma and Advanced Diploma Courses after enrolment

You must submit an official withdrawal from Course Form prior to census date and you will not be charged tuition or amenities fee. Forms must be submitted to school for approval. No withdrawals or amendments can be done without an official form submitted by the student.

  • If you have a VET FEE HELP loan and withdraw on or before the relevant census date you will not incur a VET FEE HELP debt for that Teaching Period.
  • If you withdraw after census date for a Teaching Period you will be liable for all fees for that Teaching Period.
  • Any unused portion of material fees paid will be refunded as advised by the teaching department.

Back to Top

Refund Rules / Amending Your Enrolment

TAFE Certificates

To receive a partial refund of fees you must complete an official Withdrawal from Course form or Amendment to Enrolment form and you must officially withdraw from a course or units of study within four (4) weeks of the Official Course Commencement Date.

Please note: If the course is cancelled by Swinburne University you will receive a full refund

TAFE Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas

To receive a refund of unit fees you must complete an official Withdrawal from Course form or Amendment to Enrolment form and you must officially withdraw from a course or units of study by the relevant Census Date.


Back to Top

Employer Payments

  • If your employer is paying your fees, they can make payment on the invoice that you give to them.
  • If your employer prefer s to be invoiced directly, please bring an authorisation letter from your employer confirming that they agree to pay for your fees and a request for an invoice. This must be on the Official Letterhead of the Company and should have the ABN clearly stated. The person to whom the invoice to be sent and the email address for electronic delivery of invoice.

If you do not submit an authorisation letter from your employer you as an enrolled student, will be liable for fees incurred. Any outstanding debts will result in blocks being placed on the account and the blocked account will cause the following restrictions to apply:

  • Loss of access to library borrowing and other library services
  • Loss of access to Swinburne University's computer systems, including Internet and email
  • Loss of access to enrolment records, examination results and academic transcripts
  • The inability to graduate until the outstanding debt is cleared

In the event that your Employers application is not accepted, you will remain enrolled and will continue to be personally responsible for any fees and charges.

Your employer will be responsible for only the fees that they have authorised to pay. You as an enrolled student will be liable to pay any remaining fees not authorised by your employer. Swinburne charge fees by Teaching Period. If your fee is paid by your employer it is your responsibility to ensure that you get full authorisation to cover all your fees.


Back to Top

Communication with Students

Please note: Swinburne University communicates with students via their student email. Please ensure you read all emails sent to you by the University so that you do no miss out on critical notifications.


Back to top

Financial Support

Personal Hardship/Financial Assistance

Financial assistance may be available to students experiencing financial difficulties. If you cannot pay your fees on enrolment day, you must take your enrolment form to Student Services to make an appointment for assistance.

Information can be obtained from Student Services on the following numbers:

  • Hawthorn   9214 8882
  • Prahran      9214 6728
  • Wantirna     9210 1905
  • Croydon      9726 1712
  • Lilydale       9215 7105

Back to top