Fees for local vocational education students
This overview covers everything you need to know about paying your tuition fees and how to access loans or discounts on your course fees.
This information is for you if you’re:
- an Australian or New Zealand citizen, humanitarian visa holder or an Australian permanent resident, and
- enrolled in a vocational education (VE, formerly TAFE) course (diploma, double diploma, advanced diploma, Graduate Certificate or Certificate I, II, III or IV).
If you’re studying a UniLink diploma, you need to refer to the overview for local undergraduate students or international students.
What fees do I need to pay?
Tuition fees
Your tuition fees cover the basic cost of delivering your nationally recognised Swinburne vocational education (VE, formerly TAFE) course.
From 1 January 2019, the Victorian Government's Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative covers tuition fees for priority courses for students who are eligible for government-subsidised training. Find out which courses are included and information about eligibility.
You may also need to pay some other miscellaneous fees from time to time.
What loans and discounts am I eligible for?
Different loans and discounts are available depending on your course level.
Free TAFE for Priority Courses
Free TAFE for Priority Courses is a Victorian Government initiative that will pay tuition for priority courses for students who are eligible for government-subsidised training from 1 January 2019.
Skills First subsidies
Skills First (formerly the Victorian Training Guarantee) helps people who qualify by significantly reducing the course cost. If you do not qualify under Skills First, you can still pay for the cost of your course with a VET Student Loan (formally VET FEE-HELP), if eligible.
VET Student Loans
If you’re studying for a diploma, advanced diploma or graduate certificate, you may be eligible to receive a VET Student Loan to pay some or all of your tuition fees.
The VET Students Loan Program is offered by the Australian Government to help eligible students pay for some or all of their tuition fees in approved VET Student Loan courses.
VET FEE-HELP
VET FEE-HELP loans close 31 December 2018 for all students.
VE fees concession
Some students who qualify for a Skills First subsidy may also qualify for a further reduction of vocational education course costs.
Trade Support Loans
If you are doing one of several approved apprenticeships on the National Skills Needs List, you may be eligible for a Trade Support Loan of up to $20,000.
StepUp Loans
Swinburne has partnered with Good Shepherd Microfinance to provide a low interest, no charge, no fee loan to eligible low income students. The StepUp Loan provides students with funds to pay for their tuition fees and study-related expenses.
How much are my fees?
The amount of your fees varies, depending on the course you are studying and whether you are eligible for any concessions. You can get an estimate of your total course cost by checking the indicative course fees.
To find out the exact amount you need to pay, log in to My Financials and view your Statement of Account. This always shows the current calculation based on your enrolment.
Note: Be sure to check your eligibility for any fee concessions related to your VE course – such as those available under Skills First and Free TAFE Priority Courses – and ensure you apply when you enrol.
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Note: The cost of your tuition fees as shown on your Statement of Account may not match the cost outlined on your letter of offer. This is because your Statement of Account always shows the most current information and won’t reflect any loans, concessions or discounts, or changes to your enrolment until you have formally applied for them. |
How do I pay?
You can pay your tuition fees for each teaching period up-front, partially, or defer the whole amount.
Payment options
Pay via a VET FEE-HELP loan or VET Student Loan from the government
If you’re studying for a diploma, advanced diploma or associate diploma, you can usually receive a VET Student Loan loan to pay your tuition fees.
If you’re eligible for a VET Student Loan, you start paying back the loan to the government once your income reaches the minimum repayment threshold. This threshold is adjusted each year by the government.
With a VET Student Loan, you have the option to make a partial payment and have the balance deferred, or to defer the whole amount.
Are you a current student with a VET FEE-HELP loan? Find out more about how to opt-in to continue your payments in 2017.
Pay upfront
If you wish, you can pay the full amount of your tuition fees up-front in each teaching period.
Payment methods
There are several ways to pay your fees:
- online via the Swinburne website/portal (My Financials)
- online via BPay (Biller Code 334193) – register with your bank or financial institution
- online via Post Billpay (Billpay code 2299) – use the website or smart phone app. You can also phone 13 18 16, or pay in person at any post office. Your reference number is on your Statement of Account
- studentHQ – pay in person on campus 9am to 5pm weekdays using credit card, EFT or cheque (cash is not accepted).
Note: If your account is overdrawn, you will be charged a $100 dishonour fee each time.
For more information about paying your fees online see our help guide My Financials: How to manage your financials online [PDF 289KB].
ReceiptsIf you have paid online through My Financials, you can get copies of your receipts at any time. Just log in and print one off. For other payment methods, you will receive a receipt when you pay, except with BPAY. BPAY payments can be viewed on your bank statement. For all payments made directly to Swinburne before April 2014, you will need to submit a request for a copy of a receipt (tuition fees only). |
When do I pay?
You pay your fees progressively as you complete your course. Your Statement of Account and Tax Invoice provide you with details of when your payments are due.
To help you manage your payments, you only pay for the units you’re enrolled in during each teaching period, not the whole course all at once. This is similar to a payment plan. You can view your Statement of Accounts and Tax Invoice at any time by going into My Financials.
To avoid penalties, you need to pay your fees by the due date on your Statement of Account and Tax Invoice, which is before the census date.
Penalties for non-payment of fees include restricted access to your results and possible enrolment cancellation. If you have fees owing, you will not be allowed to graduate or receive any academic transcripts.
How to withdraw from a unit/s or your whole course
If you need to withdraw from your unit/s or course, make sure you do it before the census date.
- Withdraw from your whole course
- Withdraw from an individual unit/s
What to do if you receive an 'overdue fees' notice
It’s important to pay all fees on time, including tuition fees and any other miscellaneous fees.
If you received an overdue fees notice but believe you have paid:
- log in to My Financials and check
- if you haven’t paid the fees, make payment as soon as possible to avoid penalties, or
- if you’ve paid your fees, forward your Statement of Account and proof of payment to tafefees@swin.edu.au
If you’ve incurred a late-payment penalty fee for being overdue, but can prove you did pay your fees on time, apply online to have the late payment fee waived.
Please note that if you do not pay your overdue fees it may be referred to a debt collection agency.