Meeting the costs of study
Most courses involve some cost. Costs vary from institution to institution and are usually related to the level and length of the course and the field of study. Contact the institution of your choice to ask about their fees and charges. If possible, compare these fees and charges with those charged by other institutions before you make your decision.
You will need to find out how much you will pay for tuition fees, service fees and additional costs.
Tuition fees
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
TAFE institutes
Most TAFE places are subsidised by the state or territory government. Tuition fees are calculated on an hourly basis, and the minimum and maximum amount that you will pay per year is set by the government. These amounts vary from state to state. A full-time TAFE student in a government-subsidised place will generally pay somewhere between $600 and $2000 per year.
Fees usually have to be paid ‘up front’ (when you enrol), but you may be able to negotiate part-payment. Most TAFE institutes charge lower fees to eligible concession holders.
A small number of TAFE courses are not subsidised – these are known as ‘full-fee’ or ‘fee-for-service’ TAFE courses. Tuition fees for these courses are based on the actual cost of providing tuition, and concessions do not usually apply.
Contact your local TAFE institute or your state TAFE information line to find out more about TAFE tuition fees, concessions and payment arrangements.
Private Registered Training Organisations (RTOs)
RTOs provide the same kind of certificates and diplomas as TAFE institutes, but are free to set their own tuition fees. Some RTOs are non-profit community organisations, and offer low-cost courses to particular groups, such as local residents or unemployed people. Other RTOs are businesses with state-of-the-art equipment, and charge fees that reflect this.
Try to contact several RTOs that are offering the course that you are interested in, and compare their fees, facilities and student support services to see which one suits your needs best.
Higher education
The Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) assists eligible students to pay their tuition costs. If you are a Commonwealth supported student who is also an Australian citizen or the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa, you can pay your student contribution by taking out a HECS-HELP loan. If you enrol in a full-fee paying place, you may have access to a FEE-HELP loan. Both loans are repaid through the taxation system when your income reaches a certain level.
Further information on the above programs can be found in the booklets Information for Commonwealth supported students 2009 and FEE-HELP information 2009, which are available from higher education providers and on the Going to Uni website at www.goingtouni.gov.au .
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations provides information through its enquiry line 1800 020 108 (FREECALL) and at the website www.goingtouni.gov.au .
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) provides information on repayment of HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP debts through the:
- Personal Tax Infoline 13 28 61
- Higher Education Loan Accounts Unit 1300 650 225
- website at www.ato.gov.au .
Additional costs
There are other costs associated with study, from pens and books to make-up kits or multimedia equipment, depending on your course. Ask your institution how much you will need to allow for:
- textbooks and stationery
- equipment, tools and/or uniforms (as with some Australian Apprenticeships)
- materials, such as art supplies, timber or photographic film and processing
- residential sessions or excursions.
A computer and internet access is another possible cost – will you need this set up at home or does the institution have a computer laboratory that you can use?
You will also need to think about your accommodation and living expenses.
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