TAFE NSW Frequently Asked Questions

You can enrol or apply online by following the prompts in our online enrolment portal on your course page. You can also call our Customer Support team on 131 601, or enrol in person at one of our TAFE NSW campuses.

First, please check the entry requirements for your course. If there are no entry requirements, you can enrol immediately. If your course has entry requirements, you will need to ensure you have the required qualifications, skills, knowledge or experience before you can apply.

Course entry requirements are located on the specific course information page.

Requirements may include:

• minimum qualifications
• English language requirements
• knowledge, skills and experience.

You will need to submit evidence that you have met the entry requirements with your application. This may include certificates and academic transcripts, or a letter from your employer.

For vocational students, the Academic Calendar has all the key dates you need to stay organised while you're studying, including:

• term dates
• student vacations
• public holidays.

After you have applied we will let you know the outcome of your application via email. The email will also detail the next steps for you to take.

Please be aware that our response time is between 24 to 48 hours.

Learn more about the application and enrolment process.

A Unique Student Identifier (USI) is a set of numbers and letters created by the Commonwealth Government assigned to you as a record of your studies. You can create a USI number or access your academic records via your existing USI at the USI Registry.

Your USI and the USI Registry are managed by the Commonwealth Government.

It is compulsory for students studying any nationally recognised course at TAFE NSW, including a VET course, to have a USI. Your USI allows you to access your student record account and to view your results and academic records from other training providers (since 2015).

You can contact the USI Registry directly or contact us and we'll help you get set-up.

It is important to keep your individual details up to date in your Unique Student Identifier (USI) account. It holds a copy of your nationally recognised study records from TAFE NSW and other VET training organisations within Australia (since January 2015).

Your TAFE NSW details should match those in your USI account.

To update your USI account:

1. Log in

2. Select 'Update Personal/Contact Details'
3. Proof of ID may be required.

To update your TAFE NSW details, log in to your Student Portal or [contact us](https://tafensw.custhelp.com/app/contact-us/enquire/).

Your enrolment needs to be finalised prior to attending classes. Once your enrolment has been finalised, you will be provided with details about when you can start attending classes.

Your course maybe made up of face-to-face classroom study, virtual classes and online delivery. You will also be required to do study outside of class times. This will vary depending on your course. Your teaching team will provide you with all the specific details regarding your study program.

If you can't attend a class because you are unwell, let your teacher know.

If you are finding it difficult to maintain your study program, please contact your teacher to discuss your options.

In certain circumstances you may be eligible for a refund. Please visit our fees, payments and funding page for more information and to check your eligibility.

To help manage the cost of your study, TAFE NSW offers a range of pay-as-you-go options. This means you make small, regular payments.

The options include:

• instalment plans, or

• split payments.

To apply for a payment plan, please contact us on 131 601 or visit our fees, payments and funding page for more information.

You are never on your own when you study with TAFE NSW. Your teachers are available to support you all year round, except during the Christmas and New Year break.

You can contact your teacher:

• by phone during business hours from Monday to Friday
• via email, anytime and your teacher will reply by the next business day
• through closed Facebook groups where teachers and students can connect.

If you need help to access your course resources or navigate the TAFE NSW website after enrolling, contact us via email or call 131 601.

We offer early childhood education and childcare services for students, staff and the public. Our passionate and experienced educators provide the best possible start in life, caring for children aged from 6 weeks to 6 years.

See the TAFE NSW difference for yourself and visit one of our 15 Children’s Centres across the state. Contact your closest Children's Centre to book a walk-through or chat with our friendly educators about your child’s care today.

If your query is specific to a unit you are studying, contact your unit facilitator via email. Their contact details are on every unit. If you require over-the-phone support, you can request an appointment.

Our counselling team can help you with career direction, course choice and answer other questions you may have.

How to make an appointment

You can make an appointment through your customer service team at your local campus.

Learn more: Counselling and career development services

If you need help right now and a TAFE NSW counsellor isn't available, contact your local medical service or hospital or call LifeLine on 13 11 14.

Yes, of course! At TAFE NSW, we have qualified counsellors available for you to speak to.

At TAFE NSW, we offer a free counselling service for all current and prospective students.

Counsellors can assist you with:

• stress and/or anxiety
• home life and family difficulties
• financial or legal problems
• physical or mental health concerns
• drug and/or alcohol use, or gambling problems
• health and sexuality
• problems or concerns that may be worrying you
• workload and time management
• exams and assessments
• work issues.

How to make an appointment

You can make an appointment through your customer service team at your local campus.

Learn more: Counselling and career development services

If you need help right now and a TAFE NSW counsellor isn't available contact your local medical service or hospital or call LifeLine on 13 11 14.

There are a few ways you can receive your course certificate once you have successfully completed your course.

These include:

• Collecting it yourself from the campus where you studied. Let us know if you would like someone else to collect it on your behalf.
• Receiving your course certificate by post. Talk to your local customer service team about our 'Authority to Post' option.
• Receiving your course certificate at your graduation ceremony or arranging to pick it up prior. You'll need to check your local graduation dates.

Contact your teacher if you have any questions about the details on your course certificate or transcript.

A TAFE NSW card is a compulsory form of identification (ID) and all enrolled TAFE NSW students must have one. Your card will contain your photograph, name and student number.

Your TAFEcard is used to:

• record membership of the library and student association
• give you access to parking, photocopying facilities and secure areas such as computer labs
• sit examinations.

To get yours, follow the steps below:

1. Take your enrolment form and supporting documents to the customer service centre at your campus.
2. Ask for your TAFE NSW card.
3. Have your photo taken.

Your card will remain valid while you are enrolled and can be used on any TAFE NSW campus.

During the enrolment process, you will receive a username and password which gives you access to the TAFE NSW Student Hub. It is important to keep your details up-to-date in the hub so that we can contact you about your course or in case of an emergency.

To update your details in the Student Hub:

1. Log in

2. Click 'my details'
3. Add or change your information
4. Save.

If you cannot update your details for any reason, [contact us](https://tafensw.custhelp.com/app/contact-us/enquire/) and we will show you how.

Important notes

• To change your name or date of birth, you will need to provide evidence to your local customer service team.
• Your student details in the portal and on the USI Registry must be the same. Make sure to update both records when making changes.

At many campuses, your student association plans and runs student events. The events are a great way to interact with your community and make friends with people from other study areas. Plus, they’re fun!

The types of events include:

• BBQs
• music performances
• day trips to explore the area
• group dinners
• fundraisers
• tributes to well-known commemorative days
• dedicated international student support events.

Some events are free for students, while others are at a cost.

TAFE NSW offers a state-wide library network that gives you access to the latest digital and print resources. Our librarians can help you learn the research skills you need to study. Our online library is open 24/7.

Our Library Network Catalogue gives all TAFE NSW staff and students access to a range of trusted digital texts and databases. It is important to know that access to some online resources will require a TAFE NSW username and password.

Library opening hours differ at each TAFE NSW campus and often change during semester breaks.

Check your local TAFE NSW library for library facility hours.

Learn more:

• Libraries
• Library network catalogue.

If you live with disability, please let us know. Our Disability Teacher Consultants can support you throughout your study by arranging reasonable adjustments, classroom support and more.
For more information visit Disability and access services at TAFE NSW

If you don’t have access to your own device you can borrow a TAFE NSW computer. Reach out to your campus library to check availability.

For the privacy of your fellow classmates, you must not record your lessons.

If you choose to defer your studies due to personal circumstances, speak with your teachers first. You may be able to defer for up to a maximum 12 months. A deferral cannot extend beyond 12 months. Find out more about deferring from your course.

Update your password when prompted to use your student account for 180 days after you complete your course and access:

• Student Portal
• Office 365 programs
• Moodle
  After 180 days, you’ll have access to your Student Portal and Office 365 Outlook for another 2 years. You’ll need to continue to update your password when prompted to keep access to your account. If you withdraw from your course, you’ll lose access to your TAFE NSW account and systems

When you study online you'll be allocated a teacher. This teacher will be your main point of contact. They will check in regularly, and give you assessment feedback.

If you need more support, you can contact TAFE Digital’s Educational Support Officers via email or by calling 131 161.

You don't have to be a computer whiz to succeed in online learning. Still, it helps if you can type, use the Internet, and use email.

These skills will be helpful when you:

• communicate with your teachers and others
• read course content
• use standard software
• perform other basic tasks.

You’ll need access to a computer with:

• Microsoft Windows10, or later, or Mac OS 11 or above.

The minimum software specifications for your course are:

• Microsoft Office or equivalent (free download for TAFE NSW enrolled students)
• Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download for TAFE NSW enrolled students)
• Up-to-date internet browser.

You may also need access to:

• a printer/scanner
• a smartphone or digital video recording device so you can video practical tasks for some courses.

Find out more by visiting our downloading software page.

Good online study habits will help you complete your work on time, increase motivation and reduce anxiety.

Tip 1: Set up in a quiet place at home where you won’t be interrupted. Or, for a change of scenery, head to your local library or a library at any TAFE NSW campus.

Tip 2: Check your internet connection is reliable before starting your online studies. Remember that you need a webcam, headphones, and a microphone for virtual classes, so make sure any technical requirements are also working.

Tip 3: Plan to study at regular times each week to reduce the risk of a last-minute panic. It is surprising how quickly you progress through your course if you study regularly. For example, set aside 2-3 hours of study, 3 times per week.

Tip 4: Manage your time. Writing down all your assessment dates in your diary or calendar helps you plan and prioritise tasks.

VETRes is an online shop where you can find textbooks, CDs, DVDs, teacher guides and learner workbooks. The resources are catalogued by industry sector, training package and unit code.

The study plan varies depending on the course you choose. Some courses have closed Facebook groups for students. Teachers deliver webinars that are usually recorded so you can watch them at your own pace.

You will have a set timeframe to complete the course. Your study plan outlines the order in which you complete the units and the number of hours it will take you. Having some discipline helps when you study online, and it's a good idea to schedule time each week. We recommend that you speak to your teacher if you have concerns about your study plan.

We recommend you dedicate at least 15 hours per week to a full-time course. Your study plan will give you a better indication of the time required for each unit. Depending on your level of experience in the industry or your study experience, it may take you less time to complete the course.

If you receive a Centrelink payment to study, you must comply with the study time frame you negotiated with Centrelink.

Yes, everyone's schedules are different so you can access your online learning resources 24/7.

No, not in the traditional sense. If you submit assessments by the due date, you can study when it suits you. If there is a period when you can’t study, please discuss amending your study plan with your teacher.

Studying online with TAFE NSW means you have the flexibility to enrol in your course anytime.

1. Firstly, you will need to verify your email address, then you will be issued a TAFE NSW email address.
2. We will email you your enrolment confirmation, student username, and initial password, which you must change.
3. You can then log in and access your online services and resources.
4. If you’re studying online, we will provide a training plan to help you get organised so you can complete your course by your enrolment end date. You will need to factor in any specified dates, such as work placement hours, if these are a course requirement.
   If you’re studying on campus, you’ll receive an email from your teacher ahead of your first day of class with important information.

Good online study habits will help you complete your work on time, increase motivation and reduce anxiety.

Tip 1: Set up in a quiet place at home where you won’t be interrupted. Or, for a change of scenery, head to your local library or a library at any TAFE NSW campus.

Tip 2: Check your internet connection is reliable before starting your online studies. Remember that you need a webcam, headphones, and a microphone for virtual classes, so make sure any technical requirements are also working.

Tip 3: Plan to study at regular times each week to reduce the risk of a last-minute panic. It is surprising how quickly you progress through your course if you study regularly. For example, set aside 2-3 hours of study, 3 times per week.

Tip 4: Manage your time. Writing down all your assessment dates in your diary or calendar helps you plan and prioritise tasks.

Before considering a change, it is best to discuss your options with your teacher who may be able to arrange additional support for your studies. If your course is available at a TAFE NSW campus, you may be able to transfer. You can contact us via email or 131 161.

If you need study support, learn how we can help.

You will work from our website's learning platform. Your course information will tell you what assessments you have and provide instructions on how to upload them so they can be assessed.

You may be asked to send a video or audio evidence for an assessment. To do this, you can upload it to YouTube, Vimeo, or Dropbox and upload the URL to the course website.

Your teacher/assessor will provide feedback on your assessment and will let you know if you have met the requirements. If you have not met the requirements, you will have one extra attempt to resubmit your assessment and get it to the required standard. If you fail in your second attempt, a fee may be charged for an assessor to mark your third submission.

VETRes is an online shop where you can find textbooks, CDs, DVDs, teacher guides and learner workbooks. The resources are catalogued by industry sector, training package and unit code.