Q: How many Fee-free TAFE NSW courses can I study?

Fee-free TAFE NSW covers tuition fees for one course per semester . If you've previously started or completed a course, you can't get another fee free place for that course. Fee Free is available for new enrolments only . If you want to study another Fee-free TAFE NSW course, you’ll need to check your eligibility for a future semester.

Question 1

What is Fee-free TAFE NSW?

Accepted Answer

Fee-free TAFE NSW means eligible students can study selected courses without paying tuition fees. Tuition fees are covered by the Australian and NSW Governments. Eligibility criteria apply.

You may still need to pay some course-related costs, such as uniforms, equipment, materials, textbooks or licensing requirements.

Places are subject to eligibility and availability. A fee-free place is not guaranteed.

Question 2

Are Fee-free TAFE NSW places for a course available at all locations?

Accepted Answer

No. Fee-free places for courses may not be available at all locations.

Check for the ‘Fee-free available’ tag to see whether places are available at your preferred location. See the screenshot on this page to see what the label looks like.

Question 3

How to check Fee-free TAFE NSW places are available

Accepted Answer

Fee-free places for a course may only be available at selected locations. Check for the ‘Fee-free available’ tag at your preferred location to see whether places are available.

The ‘Fee-free available’ label will appear when places are available at a specific location.

Question 4

Who is eligible for Fee-free TAFE NSW?

Accepted Answer

To be eligible for Fee-free TAFE NSW, you must meet the requirements when you enrol.

Generally, you must:

live or work in New South Wales
be an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen, permanent Australian resident or eligible humanitarian visa holder
be aged 15 years or older and no longer be enrolled at school. If you’re in year 12, you’re eligible to apply for courses that start after you’ve completed your HSC exams.
meet any additional program requirements that apply to the course.

Check your eligibility by selecting ‘Estimate my fee’ on an eligible course page.

Question 5

How do I know if I am eligible for a Fee-free TAFE NSW course?

Accepted Answer

The easiest way to check your eligibility is on the course page.

Find the course you're interested in.
Select your preferred study location.
Click Estimate my fee.
Answer the eligibility questions.

The calculator will tell you if you may be eligible for Fee-free TAFE NSW and if the course is part of the program.

Question 6

Can students under 18 apply for Fee-free TAFE NSW?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you’re under 18 you can apply for a Fee-free TAFE NSW course with the consent of your parent or guardian.

If you’re under 17 and enrolling in a Diploma or Advanced Diploma you’ll need to enrol using a paper-based form. Your parent or guardian must sign this form to give their consent. Contact us and we’ll send you the enrolment form.

For all other courses your parent or guardian can provide their consent online as part of our standard online enrolment process.

Question 7

Can I apply for a Fee-free TAFE NSW course while I’m still in year 12?

Accepted Answer

You are eligible to apply for a Fee-free course from November.

Question 8

When do Fee-free TAFE NSW courses start?

Accepted Answer

Course start dates vary depending on the qualification and intake.

Check the course page for the most up-to-date information about available intakes, enrolment dates and study schedules.

Question 9

How do I apply for Fee-free TAFE NSW course?

Accepted Answer

The application process depends on whether your course has entry requirements.

Courses with no entry requirements (Enrol)

Select Start enrolment on the course page.
Complete your enrolment.
TAFE NSW will assess your eligibility.
If successful, and places are still available, you'll receive confirmation once your eligibility has been verified and your tuition fees will be updated to $0.

Courses with entry requirements (Apply)

Select Start application on the course page.
Submit all required documents.
Your application will be assessed.
If successful, you'll receive an offer.
Accept your offer.
TAFE NSW will assess your Fee-free TAFE NSW eligibility and confirm the outcome.
If successful, and places are still available, you'll receive confirmation once your eligibility has been verified and your tuition fees will be updated to $0.

For more information, visit the Apply, enrol or register page.

Question 10

How many Fee-free TAFE NSW courses can I study?

Accepted Answer

Fee-free TAFE NSW covers tuition fees for one course per semester.

If you've previously started or completed a course, you can't get another fee free place for that course.

Fee Free is available for new enrolments only.

If you want to study another Fee-free TAFE NSW course, you’ll need to check your eligibility for a future semester.

Question 11

Can I apply for more than one Fee-free TAFE NSW course?

Accepted Answer

You can apply for more than one course, but only one Fee-free TAFE NSW place per semester can be approved.

If multiple requests are submitted, only the first eligible request will be considered.

If you're unsure which course is right for you, call 131 601 or attend a TAFE NSW information session.

Question 12

Can I transfer my Fee-free place from one course to another?

Accepted Answer

No. You cannot transfer your Fee-free place to another course. You can apply for an available Fee-free place in a different course as long as you can withdraw from the course you no longer want to do before class starts.

Question 13

Is my place held while my Fee-free TAFE NSW eligibility is being assessed?

Accepted Answer

No. Places are not held while your eligibility is being assessed.

Your enrolment is only confirmed once you receive an official confirmation email from TAFE NSW.

As demand can be high, Fee-free course places may fill up before your eligibility assessment is finalised.

Question 14

What communication will I receive from TAFE NSW?

Accepted Answer

TAFE NSW will contact you by email throughout the process.

Depending on your course, you may receive:

application updates
an offer letter
instructions to accept your offer
eligibility assessment outcomes
enrolment confirmation

Make sure you check your email regularly and follow any instructions provided.

Question 15

What happens if I don’t receive a Fee-free TAFE NSW place?

Accepted Answer

If you are not offered a NSW Fee-free place, you may still qualify for a fee exemption, scholarship or concession.

We’ll confirm the tuition fee with you before you enrol so you can decide whether to proceed.

If you’re not offered a Fee-free TAFE NSW place, you can:

continue with your enrolment and pay the applicable course fees
explore other eligible TAFE NSW courses
withdraw your enrolment or application.

If you choose a different course, you will need to complete a new application or eligibility assessment.

Question 16

What happens if I’ve paid a fee?

Accepted Answer

If you’ve already made a payment and are later approved for Fee-free TAFE NSW, TAFE NSW will arrange a refund of eligible tuition fees paid.

Refund processing times may vary.

Question 17

How can I learn more about a Fee-free TAFE NSW course?

Accepted Answer

You can attend a TAFE NSW information session to learn more about a course, career opportunities, study options and entry requirements.

Information sessions are available online and on campus.

Visit the Information sessions page.

You can also download the Career Guide to explore study and career pathways.

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