Financial assistance for students
If you are experiencing financial hardship that affects the payment of your course fees or course-related charges, we encourage you to contact your Head Teacher or TAFE Counsellor, with whom you can speak confidentially about your circumstances and seek appropriate advice and support.
TAFE Counsellors can assist students with financial matters as well as career planning, study skills, course articulation and credit transfer and personal issues such as managing stress.
Students with disabilities may prefer to contact their Disability Consultant for a confidential discussion about any financial hardship circumstances.
Counselling sessions are confidential except where information is governed by Government legislation and professional requirements. To arrange an appointment with a TAFE Counsellor or Disability Consultant contact your nearest Campus.
For information about available scholarships and eligibility criteria, see our comprehensive scholarships page.
North Coast TAFE offers a range of other services and options that provide financial assistance to students:
Pay Government-subsidised TAFE fees in two instalments
If you enrol in a full year North Coast TAFE Government-subsidised course (or if the course runs for more than one semester) you have the option of paying your full year TAFE NSW fee in two equal instalments (unless you are paying the concession fee). The first payment must be made when you enrol. The second payment is required by the end of May.
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Fee exemptions
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are exempt from paying the TAFE NSW fee for Government-subsidised courses.
Students in receipt of a Disability Support Pension, Veteran's Affairs Compensation Pension and students with a disability receive a full fee exemption for one Government-subsidised TAFE NSW course per year and are eligible for the $100.00 concession fee for subsequent enrolments in that year.
 Fee Exemption Application form (PDF, 39KB)
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Fee concessions
If you receive a Commonwealth benefit or allowance (see list below), you may be eligible to pay a concession fee of $100 per enrolment in a Government-subsidised course, rather than the full TAFE NSW fee.
- Abstudy
- Age Pension
- Austudy including Veterans Children Education Scheme
- Carer Payment
- Disability Support Pension
- Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment
- Family Tax Benefit Part A (maximum rate)
- Farm Help Income Support
- Mature Age Allowance
- Newstart Allowance
- Parenting Payment (single)
- Sickness Allowance
- Special Benefit
- Veterans' Affairs Payments
- Widow Pension including Widow 'B' Pension
- Wife Pension
- Youth Allowance
Note: Students who are recognised as a dependant child/spouse/partner of a recipient of an eligible benefit or allowance may also be eligible for the concession fee.
If you are applying for a fee exemption or concession fee, you need to complete an Exemption or Concession Application form and return it with appropriate documentation to your campus of enrolment. To find out if you are eligible for a full-fee exemption or concession fee, contact your campus or ring 1300 628233 before enrolling. Your campus can also advise you about what documentation you will need to bring with you to enrol.
Fee Concession Application form (PDF, 39KB)
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Apprentice tool and travel allowances
Tool allowance
New apprentices in eligible trades are entitled to be provided a tool kit up to the value of $800. If you are a new apprentice in one of the eligible trades, a Tools For Your Trade voucher will be provided to your employer when you have completed the first three months of employment. Your employer will purchase the tool kit and make it available for your use. When you have completed a further six months, the tool kit belongs to you. To find out if the trade you are interested or enrolling in is eligible, contact your nearest campus.
Travel allowances
If you have to travel more than 120 kilometres (round trip) to attend off-the-job training courses you can claim reimbursement from the Vocational Training Assistance Scheme (VTAS) through the Country Travel Assistance Scheme Day Release.
If you are required to live away from home while attending your course by block release, there is a daily allowance available which can be claimed on the VTAS form along with your travel allowance (if applicable).
For concession travel on public transport from home to campus and home to work you need to complete a State Rail Authority Apprentice travel concession application form from the administration office at your campus.
First and second year apprentices who live away from home in order to keep their apprenticeship may be paid a Living Away from Home Allowance. To locate or contact your employer’s New Apprenticeship Centre (NAC), phone NAC General Enquiries on 13 38 73
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Abstudy
This provides an income tested living allowance and assistance scheme to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in both full and part-time study. It also means an exemption from the TAFE NSW fee. To qualify you must be enrolled in a Centrelink approved course. Contact the Counselling Unit or an Aboriginal Student Support Officer at your campus. The Administration Office will help you with this. For further details and information about Centrelink requirements for Abstudy assistance we recommend that you telephone Centrelink on 132 317.
Also see our Scholarships information.
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Austudy
This provides financial assistance for full-time students who are aged 25 and over who are not in receipt of Youth Allowance. For more information phone 132 490.
Also see our Scholarships information.
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Youth Allowance
This provides financial assistance to Australian residents who meet certain condition.
Read more at the Centrelink website.
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The Financial Counsellors' Association of NSW provides information about financial problems and a list of financial counsellors.
Consumer Credit Legal Centre (NSW) is a community legal centre specialising in financial services, particularly matters and policy issues related to consumer credit, banking and debt recovery. It's particular focus is on issues that affect low income and disadvantaged consumers. The Credit and Debt Help Line provides referrals to local financial counselling services. Phone: 1800 808 488.
G-LINE is a gambling counselling agency which has a toll-free, confidential counselling and referral hotline on 1800 633 635.
Emergency help
Financial or other help for genuine emergencies may be obtained from charitable organisations. The Lifeline website has a Service Finder where you can search the database using keywords for the type of service and location required. Alternatively you can direct your search by typing in your postcode. http://www.justlook.org.au/
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