Fees and charges and refund policy

• Why do I need to pay a course fee when I enrol?
• How much is the course fee?
• How can I pay the fee?
• What if I have difficulty paying?
• Can I get a concession or exemption?
• What are Special Access courses and do they have fees?
• What is different about HSC, Tertiary Preparation Certificate and Children's Services Diploma course fees?
• Are there other costs to do a TAFE course?
• What if I want to withdraw or get a refund?

Why do I need to pay a course fee when I enrol?

When you enrol you will need to pay a course fee, unless you qualify for a fee exemption. The course fee you pay will depend on the qualification level of the course and whether you are eligible for a Government-subsidised place, a concession fee or fee exemption.  You will not be regarded as being enrolled without the payment of, or approved exemption from, the course fee. All TAFE NSW fees and charges are reviewed on a yearly basis and are subject to change.

Until your enrolment is completed, you are not entitled to:

• attend class
• sit for examinations
• receive educational awards
• use amentitites and services (including travel concessions)
• receive an active TAFEcard (which provides access to library resources)
• receive Austudy.

 
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How much is the course fee?

The amount you pay will depend on the type of course you are enrolling in and where you live and/or work. There are different fees for NSW Government-subsidised places, non-subsidised places and Interstate students.  

TAFE NSW Fees for NSW Government-subsidised places:

Students living and/or working in NSW may be eligible for a NSW Government-subsidised place at the fees listed below. Fees for NSW Government-subsidised places are set annually by the NSW Treasury. Not all courses offer Government-subsidised places.

All TAFE NSW fees and charges are reviewed on a yearly basis and are subject to change. If your course is longer than one year, you will need to factor in annual fee increases when working out the cost of completing your course. The criteria for Government-subsidised places can also change from year to year.


The government-subsidised fee structure for 2013 is:

	TAFE NSW fee - full year	TAFE NSW fee - half year	TAFE NSW fee - Concession fee
Advanced Diploma	$1720.00	$860.00	$100.00
Diploma	$1432.00	$716.00	$100.00
Certificate IV	$1078.00	$539.00	$100.00
Certificate III	$793.00	$396.00	$100.00
Certificate II	$506.00	$253.00	$100.00
Certificate I	$506.00	$253.00	$100.00
Apprentices/Trainees	$478.00	$239.00	$100.00
Statements and Selected  Study Program	$506.00	$253.00	$100.00
Aboriginal and Torres Strait  Islander students	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Students with a disability	-	-	$0.00 (first course)  $100.00 (further courses)
Special Access courses	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

Students in Government-subsidised places may be asked to pay additional course related charges. Details are available within the course information of each course, or by phoning 1300 628233.

You may also need to purchase textbooks, module notes, personal protective equipment, industry equipment and/or other materials which you will use during your course. Attend the advertised information session or see the individual course pages for details.

Special Access courses
These courses teach skills in career opportunities, community training, employment skills, literacy, numeracy, reading and writing, school mentoring, signed language, volunteer tutoring and work readiness. These courses are exempt from the TAFE NSW fee for students eligible for a Government-subsidised place. You may however, need to pay course related charges or additional course costs.

TAFE NSW Concession fee
If you are eligible for a Government-subsidised place and are receiving a Commonwealth benefit or allowance at the time of your enrolment, you may be eligible to pay a concession fee in 2013 of $100.00 for each course rather than the full Government-subsidised fee.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students that are eligible for a Government-subsidised place are exempt from paying the TAFE NSW fee.

Students with a disability
If you are eligible for a Government-subsidised place and are either receiving a Disability Support Pension and/or are a client of the Head Teacher/Consultant for students with a disability, you will receive a full fee exemption for one TAFE NSW Government-subsidised place per year and are eligible for the $100.00 concession fee for subsequent enrolments in Government-subsidised places in 2013.

Note: the 'time of enrolment' is generally taken to be the date the student and enrolling officer completes and signs the enrolment form or the online enrolment process. This means that if you choose to pay your TAFE NSW fee in two installments you will be expected to pay both installments, even if you may otherwise have been eligible for an exemption at the time the second installment is due.

~ Students successfully completing a Higher School Certificate or Tertiary Preparation course may be eligible for a fee refund, if enrolled in a Government-subsidised place in their course. Contact the campus or Customer Service Centre for details on 1300 628233.

~ Students enrolling in the Diploma of Children's Services may be eligible for a fee waiver from the TAFE fee in 2013 and 2014.

Fees for Non-subsidised places:
Fees for short courses, commercial courses, Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas, TAFE Delivered HSC Vocational Education and Training (TVET), students not living or working in New South Wales, international students courses and temporary visa holder courses are different to the TAFE NSW government-subsidised fee. Information on these fees will be shown on the individual course pages or contact your local campus for details.

North Coast TAFE is committed to providing high quality programs and support and assistance to students. Fees are set at a rate that is as affordable as possible, while providing the teaching, learning and services students require. Fees may change on a regular basis to accommodate increases in North Coast TAFE costs.
 
VET FEE-HELP
Study now, pay later! Courses at Diploma or higher qualification level are eligible for VET FEE-HELP. You may like to consider this as an alternative to paying for your course upfront. Further information on VET FEE-HELP is available on our VET FEE-HELP page.


Interstate students enrolling in new courses from 1 July 2013

• From 1 July 2013 new students will need to live or be in paid work in NSW, or be apprentices or trainees (see point 2), to be eligible to enrol in a TAFE NSW course at the NSW government subsidised fee rate.

• Apprentices and Trainees will be provided government subsidised training under contract arrangements managed by NSW State Training Services.

• From 1 July 2013, all other students will enrol in their chosen TAFE NSW course under the relevant non-subsidised fee rate for that course.

Existing interstate students who are already enrolled

• Students who do not live or have paid work in NSW who enrolled prior to or at the start of Semester 1 2013 in a TAFE NSW government-subsidised place in a course lasting longer than one semester can continue to study that course at the NSW government-subsidised rate until the end of 2013.  

• Interstate students who are enrolled in a NSW government-subsidised place who will not complete their course by the end of 2013 will pay the non-subsidised fee rate for the remainder of that course when they re-enrol in 2014.

• An exception applies to interstate students who enrolled in 2013 and paid in full the 12 month TAFE NSW government-subsidised fee before 7 May 2013 when these new fee arrangements were published on the North Coast TAFE website.  These students will have 12 months from the date that they paid the relevant 12 month fee to study their course under their pre-paid NSW Government subsidised rate. If they do not complete within 12 months and need to re-enrol, they will be required to pay the non-subsidised fee rate for the remainder of that course.

   

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How can I pay the fee?

Payment methods

Students who are re-enrolling are encouraged to make their payments via the internet or by one of the remote payment options offered.

Paying the NSW Government-subsidised TAFE NSW fee in instalments

If your course runs for more than one semester and you are eligilble for a Government-subsidised place, you may be able to pay your TAFE NSW fee in two equal instalments (unless you pay the concession fee). The first payment is made when you enrol. The second payment is required by 31 May of that year.

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What if I have difficulty paying?

If you feel you will have difficulty paying the Government-subsidised TAFE fee or other costs associated with your course or you are suffering from financial hardship you can talk to a TAFE Counsellor. 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.

Counselling sessions are confidential except where information is governed by Government legislation and professional requirements. To arrange an appointment with a TAFE Counsellor contact your nearest North Coast TAFE Campus.

You may also like to consider paying for the course via VET FEE-HELP if you are studying a Diploma or higher level qualification. VET FEE-HELP allows you to study now and pay later.

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Can I get a concession or exemption?

Fee exemptions

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who live or work in New South Wales are exempt from paying the TAFE NSW fee for Government-subsidised places in courses.

Students who live or work in New South Wales, in receipt of a Disability Support Pension, Veteran's Affairs Compensation Pension and students with a disability (who are clients of a Teacher/Consultant for students with a disability) receive a full fee exemption for one Government-subsidised place per year and are eligible for the concession fee for subsequent enrolments in Government-subsidised courses in that year.

Application for Exemption from the TAFE fee.
Exemption from the TAFE fee poster

Concessions

Students living or working in New South Wales, who receive a Commonwealth benefit or allowance (see list below) and are enrolling in a course with Government-subsidised places, may be eligible to pay the concession fee per course enrolment, rather than the full Government-subsidised TAFE NSW fee. Note: not all courses offer Government-subsidised places.

• 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.

To find out if you are eligible for a full-fee exemption or concession fee, contact your campus or ring 1300 628233 before enrolling. We can also advise you about what documentation you will need to enrol.

Application for a concession TAFE fee.
Concession TAFE fee poster.

The TAFE NSW fee is applied differently for...

Apprentices - apprentices eligible for a Government-subsidised place, pay a capped fee per year for their apprenticeship or traineeship course. You may also be eligible for a concession fee or exemption. 

To be eligible for the capped fee you must provide proof of your Apprenticeship (contact your local campus or ring 1300 628233 for details).

Further information and frequently asked questions are available on the Australian Apprenticeships website.

Information on assistance available to apprentices in NSW can be found at State Training Services website.

New Entrant Trainees - in 2013, New Entrant Trainees eligible for a Government-subsidised place pay a capped fee of $478.00 for their Traineeship course unless they are eligible for a concession fee or exemption. To be eligible for the capped fee you must provide proof of your Traineeship (contact your local campus for details).

School-based Trainees - school-based trainee courses are covered by another funding arrangement, so the TAFE NSW fee does not apply.

Existing Worker Trainees - are covered by other funding arrangements, so the TAFE NSW fee does not apply.

Commercial courses - There are no fee exemptions or concessions for these courses. Refund/transfers are only available if you notify us of your withdrawal at least seven (7) days prior to the commencement of the course.

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What are Special Access courses and do they have fees?

If you live and/or work in NSW and enrol in a Special Access Course you pay no TAFE NSW fee, however you may need to pay course related charges or fees for course resources/equipment. These courses teach skills in:

• career opportunities
• community training
• employment skills
• literacy
• numeracy
• reading and writing
• school mentoring
• signed language
• volunteer tutoring and
• work readiness.

The following Special Access courses are exempt from the TAFE NSW Fee for eligible students. A personal exemption application for these courses is not required.

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What is different about HSC, Tertiary Preparation Certificate and Children's Services Diploma course fees?

Higher School Certificate and Tertiary Preparation Certificate TAFE NSW fee refund

From 2008, TAFE NSW students who enrol in and complete 91146NSW Certificate III in HSC Studies or 91178NSW Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (TPC) at TAFE NSW will be eligible for a refund of the TAFE NSW fee.

If a student completes one or more of the following preparatory courses for the HSC or TPC first, the TAFE fee for these courses will also be refunded:

• Statement of Attainment in HSC Preliminary Studies
• 91179NSW Certificate III in Preparation for Vocational and Further Study,
• Statement of Attainment in Preparation for Vocational and Further Study,
• Statement of Attainment in HSC Studies, TAFE NSW course no. 6505
• Statement of Attainment in Preparatory Mathematics and Science,

To be eligible, students must provide proof of course completion (either a TAFE NSW Testamur or a TAFE NSW Course Completion Notice) and apply for the refund at their campus of enrolment.

Note: This refund applies only to TAFE NSW students who enrol or re-enrol in 2009 in one of the courses specified above. It does not apply to school students or students in other educational institutions. Students must complete the HSC or TPC in TAFE after 1 January 2008 to be eligible. Other materials charges are excluded from this refund. Refunds for the additional HSC and TPC preparatory courses listed above will only apply upon course completion of either the HSC or TPC. The refund applies to all eligible students regardless of the date they commenced their study.

Diploma of Children's Services

Under arrangements with the Australian Government, TAFE NSW will waive the TAFE NSW enrolment fee for eligible students enrolled in the Diploma of Children’s Services qualification from 1 January 2009 until 30 June 2014. This fee waiver (for compulsory fees) will apply to new and continuing eligible students undertaking the qualification either by full-time or part-time study.

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Are there other costs to do a TAFE course?

Apart from the TAFE NSW fee, you may also need to pay:

• course-related charges
• Student Association membership
• licence fees.

Protective Clothing

Certain courses require you to wear a uniform and/or protective clothing. Clothing must be purchased by the student and entry to the class will be refused unless the specific protective clothing/uniform is worn. Information as to what you need will be given at the time of enrolment.

Materials Charge

Some courses will require the payment of a materials charge. Details of this charge will be provided at enrolment time.

Replacement Transcript and Testamur Costs

You can request a copy of course transcripts at any time. There is no cost for copies of transcripts. If you require a replacement Testamur, you will need to pay the replacement Testamur fee of $75.00 per course. Contact your local campus for more information or ring 1300 NCTAFE (1300 628233)

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What if I want to withdraw or get a refund?

Government-subsidised courses
If you are withdrawing from a Government-subsidised course or applying for a refund you need to complete a Withdrawal/Refund Application form and post it or return it to your campus of enrolment. A refund of all or part of the TAFE NSW fee may be given in the following exceptional circumstances:

• You have overpaid the TAFE NSW fee.
• You enrolled in a course that has been cancelled by the campus or Institute
• You have paid the full TAFE fee but now receive Youth Allowance or Austudy commencing within two weeks of the date of enrolment or the date of first attendance at class (you will be eligible for the concession fee).
• You are offered and accept a place in a course at university or at the same/another TAFE NSW Campus within the first three teaching weeks.
• You enrol in a course only to repeat a failed unit/module but are then granted a pass in that unit/module by an Assessment Review Committee.
• You formally advise the campus before classes commence and with no attendance, that you are withdrawing from the course.
• You make full-year payment and withdrew with no attendance in Semester Two. You may be eligible for a refund of the Semester Two TAFE NSW fee.
• The campus delegate is of the opinion that you would be unreasonably disadvantaged if you were not granted a refund, for example, if you meet with a serious misadventure and you were unable to continue your enrolment.

Other appropriate circumstances, such as:

• Extended hospitalisation or illness (two weeks minimum) supported by a medical certificate and resulting in extended absence from classes. In this case a refund of the fee for the second semester may be given;
• Pregnancy/child birth (other than in cases of medical complication covered by the above). In this case a refund of the fee for second semester may be given.

If you enrol in an approved Apprenticeship or Traineeship course without evidence of being an Apprentice or Trainee, you will be asked to pay the full fee. If you subsequently provide evidence that you are an Apprentice or Trainee you will be refunded the difference between the course fee and the capped Apprenticship or Traineeship fee.

Short courses, commercial courses, TVET and other programs
Refund/transfers for short or commercial courses are only available if you notify us of your withdrawal at least seven (7) days prior to the commencement of the course.

Refunds are made to the student, organisation or third party who originally paid the course fee.

Circumstances not usually regarded as grounds for a refund include:

• Job change
• Change in work hours
• Inconvenience of travel to campus
• Moving Interstate
• Redundancy/Retrenchment

For all courses

A refund will not be paid:

• if materials, equipment or resources received remain the property of the student
• if you do not attend or do not give adequate prior notification that you cannot attend a practical session or workshop
• if you have actively participated in a course (see below).

Active participation is:

• submitting an application for recognition of prior learning (RPL)
• accessing activities and unit support pages in the learning management system or Moodle website
• submitting assessments
• attending practical sessions, if applicable
• attending exams or tests
• completing units or making satisfactory progress in learner support
• contacting your teaching section for support and assistance

Other courses have specific refund policies related to the type of course. Contact the campus or phone 1300 628233 for details.

2012 Refund Application form

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