Introduction 

Most TAFEWA courses are funded by the Western Australian Department of Education and Training. Each year the Department reviews the current Fees and Charges policy and formulates the new policy for the coming year. You may view the 2009 Fees and Charges policy by clicking here.

TAFEWA colleges also offer some 'fee-for-service' courses which are not government funded. Each college sets its own charges for fee-for-service courses. Refer to the individual college for details. Below you will find further information about fees and charges for government subsidised courses.

How do I work out what my fees and charges are? 
When do I find out how much my enrolment will cost?
What is the best indicator of fees and charges?
So what can you tell me now?
What other fees may I need to pay?
Application fees for full-time qualifications 
What concessions are available?
Is there financial assistance available?
I live interstate, what fees do I pay?
I live overseas, what fees do I pay?
I am a temporary resident, what fees do I pay?
What if I enrol, pay my fees and then for some reason I am unable to continue with my studies, am I entitled to a refund?

How do I work out what my fees and charges are?  Top of Page

Most government-funded places in TAFEWA courses are covered under the VET Fees and Charges in 2009 policy. 

When studying a qualification full-time or part-time, there are two types of fees which are payable each semester at the time of enrolling. 

1  Course Fee

Accredited Vocational Courses: The course fee is the sum of fees for all units enrolled in by a student. The maximum course fee that a student can be charged in a semester is $570 for non-concession students and $285 for concession students.

Access and Bridging Courses: A single flat fee of $25 per semester is applied to do Access and Bridging Courses.

2  Resource Fee  

A resource fee may or may not be charged per unit and covers the materials, internet charges and any other service you use as part of the unit. Resource fee costs vary from unit to unit with many below $25. However, a small number of units have resource fees over $250.

The resource fee varies depending on the content of the qualification. Some qualifications such as; hospitality, art and design, fashion, photography and aeronautics incur high resource fees. Please check the approximate fees with the relevant TAFEWA information service before applying.

When do I find out how much my enrolment will cost? Top of Page

You can find out the exact cost of your course on enrolment day. However, we are able to provide you with some estimates before enrolling.

What is the best indicator of fees and charges? Top of Page

The course fees for the current year are always available on this website.  In December of each year the course fees for the following year will be made available. When the course fees for the year you intend to study are not yet available you can use the previous year's costs to get a fairly close estimate of what your enrolment will cost. However, it is important to remember that each year there is generally a small increase in course and resource fees by the current CPI (consumer price index).

So what can you tell me now? Top of Page

The good news is that TAFEWA students do not pay HECS fees and TAFEWA fees are just a fraction of university fees. There are different costs associated with the different types of courses that are offered and you pay per term or semester. Courses that are longer (ie courses with more course hours) will cost more than those with less course hours. If you are going to study full-time your total fees will typically be around $450 per semester and $900 per year.

Short courses for the community and workplace usually advertise the costs with the course offerings and typically cost between $50 and $200. You will see these courses advertised in your local newspaper shortly before the enrolment days.

Fee-for-service courses may also advertise the costs with course offerings in your local newspapers. Each college sets its own charges for fee-for-service courses. Refer to the individual college for details. If you are seeking specific training for your organisation, you can request the college to develop a course for you. The college would typically provide a quote for this work based on your requirements.

What other fees may I need to pay? Top of Page

Individual TAFEWA colleges also charge for other services such as parking and security passes. For more information, contact the individual TAFEWA college information service.

There may also be other charges you have to pay for separately, eg Textbooks, equipment or materials or any item/equipment that you will retain as your own personal property. 

You may have to pay for any excursion you may take as part of your instruction.

There are different fee arrangements for international students and fee-for-service training.

Application fees for full-time qualifications  Top of Page

First semester intake

You do not have to pay an application fee if you apply by the beginning of November.

If you apply after the closing date at the beginning of November you will have to pay a single non-refundable fee of $75.

Changes of preference are free of charge.

Applications submitted without all required fees will be returned.

Second semester intake

It is free to apply for full-time studies in second semester.

No late applications are accepted. 

Changes of preference are free of charge.

What concessions are available? Top of Page

A concessional rate is only available on course fees. The concessional rate is available to students who fall into one of the following categories: 

- People and dependents of people holding: 
  (i) a Pensioner Concession Card
  (ii) a Repatriation Health Benefits Card issued by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
  (iii) a Health Care Card
- People and dependents of people in receipt of Austudy or Abstudy. 
- People and dependents of people in receipt of Youth Allowance. 
- People who are inmates of a custodial institution. 
- People who have reached the age of 15 but who have not reached the age of 18 and who are not due to reach 18 in the calendar year for which they enrol (that is, for study in 2009, year of birth must be 1992, 1993 or 1994). 

When do I have to provide proof of eligibility for concession?

If you are eligible for a concession you will need to produce proof when you enrol. Your concession must be valid at the time of enrolment.
 

What method of payment may I use?

Your enrolment is not complete until your fees and charges are paid in full, or a deferred payment arrangement (Instalment Agreement) has been made.

Once you have selected your study options and completed your enrolment form you will need to take up one of the following payment options:

1. - Pay the full amount of fees and charges by either cash, cheque, credit card, or EFTPOS.
2. - If your employer is paying your fees you will be asked to provide a ‘signed authority to invoice’ from your employer.
3. - If you are experiencing financial difficulties you may make application on the grounds of financial hardship to pay by instalments but you will still be required to pay a deposit to a maximum amount of $100. You will be given a minimum of 8 weeks from the commencement of semester to finalise payment.

You will also be able to make application for your fees and charges to be waived if you are experiencing severe financial hardship.  You will need to enquire further at the college you are applying at.

If you have not paid all your previous semester fees you will need to make arrangements with your TAFEWA college.

Is there financial assistance available? Top of Page

Yes, more information can be found on this subject at Get financial assistance.

I live interstate, what fees do I pay? Top of Page

If you reside in another Australian State or Territory you will be charged at a ‘fee-for-service’ rate. For more information about this you will need to enquire further at the college that you intend to study at.

I live overseas, what fees do I pay? Top of Page

You are classified as an International student and the fees you will pay will be determined by Education and Training International Western Australia. You should contact them by visiting their website or by telephoning +618 9218 2100.

I am a temporary resident, what fees do I pay? Top of Page

If you hold a temporary visa of sub-class 309, 310, 785, 820 or 826 you will pay fees according to all other Australian residents and will also be eligible for fee waivers and concessions.  If your visa is of a different sub-class to those mentioned you will need to contact Education & Training International Western Australia.  You should contact them by visiting their website or by telephoning +618 9218 2100.

What if I enrol, pay my fees and then for some reason I am unable to continue with my studies? Am I entitled to a refund? Top of Page

You are required to notify the college at which you have enrolled of your intention to withdraw to ensure you are eligible for a refund of your fees. Your request for a refund must be lodged within two weeks of the official withdrawal date and it must be in writing.

Full refunds will be granted if:

• - a course/qualification or module/unit of competency is cancelled or re-scheduled to a time unsuitable to the student
• - you are not given a place due to maximum number of places being reached
• - you accept an offer of a place in a university.  In this situation, you must provide a copy of the letter of offer with your refund application.

Part refunds will be granted when:

• - you have withdrawn for a reason other than those listed above. Providing you have lodged your withdrawal/refund application prior to or within four weeks of commencing your module/unit of study or before undertaking 25% of your studies (whichever is sooner), in which case you will be eligible for a full refund of course fee and 50% of the resource fee paid.

Pro rata refunds are available upon approval by the college you are enrolled at if:

• - you withdraw due to personal circumstances beyond your control, eg serious illness resulting in extended absence from class.
• - injury or disability that prevents you from completing your studies
• - there are other exceptional reasons for which you will be assessed by an accountable officer at your institution.

In all cases you will be required to provide documentary evidence, eg medical certificate.