Free TAFE for Priority Courses
Free TAFE for priority courses will give more Victorians the chance to study at TAFE.
More than ever, the skills we need to build our state are learned at TAFE.
Free TAFE for priority courses will reduce financial barrier for students wanting to train in courses that lead to jobs - in demand from Victorian employers.
From 1 January 2019, Free TAFE for priority courses covers tuition fees for priority courses for students who are eligible for government-subsidised training.
Eligibility
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen you may be eligible for Free TAFE for Priority Courses if you meet the following criteria:
- You are under 20 years old (regardless of any other qualifications), or
- You are 20 years old or older and enrolling in a course that is a higher qualification than you've previously attained
You may also be eligible if you are a Victorian and are:
- unemployed and a client of the Jobs Victoria Employment Network
- a retrenched worker, or
- an automotive supply chain worker
If you are a Victorian and looking to reskill, change careers, improve your employment prospects and/or meet the needs of local industries, your place will be subject to availability of TAFE places, and prioritised based on need. We can confirm your eligibility when you enrol in your chosen course.
Conditions
Federation TAFE will confirm your eligibility when you enrol.
It's important you consider your training choice carefully. Once you've enrolled in a tuition free priority course, you are not able to get a tuition free place again, even if you don't finish your first tuition free priority course. You cannot do more than two government subsidised programs in a calendar year, and cannot have commenced more than two programs at the same level in your lifetime.
If you are successful and obtain a place in one of our fee-free courses, the Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative will cover your tuition fees for the whole course. However, you may have to pay other fees such as student services fees or materials fees and you'll need to cover these costs yourself.
Courses
Apprenticeship pathway courses
The following apprenticeship pathway courses are on offer at Federation TAFE under the Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative:
- Certificate II Automotive Air Conditioning Technology (AUR20218)
- Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology (AUR20516)
- Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation (AUR20716)
- Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship (22338VIC)
- Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start) (UEE22011)
- Certificate II in Salon Assistant (SHB20216)
Further courses to be announced.
Non-apprenticeship courses
The following non-apprenticeship courses are on offer at Federation TAFE under the Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative:
- Certificate III in Agriculture (AHC30116)
- Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (SIT30816)
- Certificate III in Education Support (CHC30213)
- Certificate III in Horticulture (AHC30716)
- Certificate III in Hospitality (SIT30616)
- Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33015)
- Certificate III in Information Technology (ICT30120)
- Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping (FNS40217)
- Certificate IV in Agriculture (AHC40116)
- Certificate IV in Community Services (CHC42015)
- Certificate IV in Cyber Security (22334VIC)
- Certificate IV in Disability (CHC43115)
- Certificate IV in Education Support (CHC40213)
- Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315)
- Certificate IV in Training & Assessment (TAE40116)
- Diploma of Community Services (CHC52015)
- Diploma of Nursing (HLT54115)
- Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying (CPC60115)
Further courses to be announced.
Frequently asked questions
What are Free TAFE for priority courses?
Free TAFE for priority courses is a Victorian Government program that will pay your tuition fees to study in selected courses at TAFE - such as here at FedUni TAFE - if you're eligible.
What's the difference between government-subsidised training and Free TAFE for priority courses?
- Victorian Government-subsidised training is when the Government pays a large portion of the cost of your training if you are eligible, and you make a contribution, by paying fees. It's been around for a while and there are around 1,000 subsidised courses you can do at TAFEs and other training providers.
- The courses on the tuition free priority course list are subsidised, but the Government will also pay your tuition fees, if you're eligible. It starts next year 2019.
How will Free TAFE for priority courses affect my eligibility for future government-subsidised training?
- Courses undertaken as Free TAFE for priority courses are treated the same way as any other course you have undertaken, for the purpose of determining whether you are eligible for further Victorian Government-subsidised training.
- FedUni TAFE can advise you whether you will have future Victorian Government-subsidised training options.
How many priority courses can I do tuition free?
- Free TAFE for priority courses will pay your tuition fees for one course.
- Once you have enrolled in a tuition free priority course, you can't get a tuition free place again, even if you don't finish your first tuition free priority course.
- You need to make a careful choice, so talk to us here at FedUni TAFE or the FedUni TAFE Skills and Jobs Centre if you are unsure.
Does it cover all my fees?
- If you are eligible, Free TAFE for priority courses will pay the tuition fees for your whole course.
- The course may require you to pay other fees, such as student services fees or materials fees that you will have to cover yourself.
I am doing training now in a course on the tuition free priority course list, will I get a refund on fees I pay for this year?
No. Free TAFE for priority courses only applies to eligible students who enrol in a tuition free priority course that commences after 1 January 2019.
I am doing training now, should I drop out and start again next year, when Free TAFE for priority courses comes in?
- If you are currently doing training and you are happy with your course, you should complete it, especially if you have a Victorian Government subsidised place. There are limits on the number of times you can commence courses and stay eligible for subsidised training, so dropping out and restarting could mean you become ineligible.
- If you are thinking of dropping out for any reason, talk to the careers guidance staff at FedUni TAFE and at the FedUni TAFE Skills and Jobs Centre.
When do Free TAFE for priority courses start?
- Free TAFE for priority courses will start on 1 January 2019.
- TAFEs such as FedUni TAFE may take enrolments for Free TAFE for priority courses that commence in 2019, during 2018.
Where can I do tuition-free priority courses?
- You can do tuition free priority courses at Victorian TAFE institutes - such as FedUni TAFE - and at universities that offer TAFE courses.
- To find a course, contact FedUni TAFE directly on 1800 333 864 or call the Training and TAFE line on 131 823.
Which courses will be tuition-free priority courses?
- The tuition-free priority course list includes 20 non-apprenticeship courses and 18 courses that provide pathways to apprenticeships (also known as 'pre-apprenticeships').
- The Government will make further announcements to confirm the composition of a further 10 priority courses following consultation with industry, in time for students to enrol for the 2019 training year.
- The tuition-free priority courses lead to occupations in industries where there are likely to be more jobs. Some of them lead to work in important areas like preventing family violence, rolling out the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Victoria and delivering our major infrastructure projects.
See the 'Apprentice pathway courses' and 'Non-apprenticeship courses' above to view the courses on offer at FedUni TAFE.
Can I do a course that's not on the Free TAFE for priority courses list?
- Only the courses on the tuition-free priority course list will be tuition fee-free, but there are around 1,000 courses you can do at TAFEs such FedUni TAFE and other training providers that are Victorian Government-subsidised.
- While some tuition fees may apply for Victorian Government-subsidised training, you may be eligible for a concession.
- Check the Victorian Skills Gateway to find Victorian Government-subsidised courses near you (Search the internet for 'Victorian Skills Gateway') and your training provider can check if you are eligible for a concession.
If I do a Free TAFE for priority course, will I get a job?
- The tuition-free priority courses are in areas where there are likely to be more jobs in the future.
- When you finish your course, the FedUni TAFE Skills and Jobs Centre can help you search for a job and support you to prepare your resumé.
Find out more
If you would like to talk to our helpful staff about studying a fee-free course at Federation TAFE, please register your interest or contact us on 1800 FED UNI (1800 333 864).
For further information about the Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative, you can contact the TAFE and Training line on 13 18 23 or visit the TAFE Victoria website.
