Permanent and temporary visa holders

Find out how permanent and temporary visa holders can study at TAFE NSW. Learn about enrolment steps, fees and eligibility for subsidised training or fee waivers. This page also explains what documents you’ll need and how to apply.

As a permanent visa holder in Australia, you can apply to study at one of our campuses. You can enrol in fee-for-service training, which means you’ll pay the full cost of the course or qualification.

Smart and Skilled program

Permanent visa holders may be eligible for subsidised training in New South Wales (NSW) through the Smart and Skilled program. To check your eligibility, visit the Smart and Skilled Student Eligibility Policy.

If you’re in Australia on a temporary visa that allows study, you can apply to study with us.

How to apply

Follow these steps to apply:

1. Register or apply for your chosen course at one of our locations.
2. Speak with a TAFE NSW enrolment officer to discuss your fees.
3. Provide a passport or Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) document showing your current visa details.
4. Complete the TAFE NSW enrolment process with staff support and confirm your residency and visa subclass.
5. Provide your Unique Student Identifier (USI).

You’ll be enrolled only if a place is available and you meet the course entry requirements. Entry requirements are listed in the course information.

Fees

As a temporary visa holder, you’ll need to pay the full fee for your course.

Fee waivers

Temporary visa holders may be eligible for NSW Government subsidised training. Student fees may be waived for Certificate I–IV courses for some temporary visa holders.

This fee waiver applies if you or your eligible partner hold any of these visas:

• humanitarian visa
• bridging visa (BVA, BVB, BVC, BVD, BVE)
• Pacific Island engagement visa

It also applies if you’ve applied for one of these visas:

• humanitarian visa
• temporary humanitarian stay visa
• temporary humanitarian concern visa

You’ll need to provide visa documents or an ImmiCard to prove your eligibility.

If you’re on a temporary visa, we’ll verify your residency status with the Department of Home Affairs. False or misleading claims about your residency status may exclude you from TAFE NSW courses.

If your visa or visa conditions change while you’re studying, you must tell us. Contact the Temporary Visa Holder Officer at your campus to update your details.

You’re responsible for meeting your visa conditions, including keeping your visa current. See your rights and responsibilities as a TAFE NSW student for more information.

You’ll only be enrolled in a course if your visa is current. It’s your responsibility to provide visa documents that are accurate and up to date.

If your visa allows study for a limited time, we can only enrol you for that period. If your visa has no end date, you can still enrol in a course.

You must follow all visa conditions set by the Department of Home Affairs. This includes leaving Australia if your visa conditions need you to do so.

For more information and support with enrolling as a visa holder, call us on 131 601 or submit an enquiry.