Free TAFE courses

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Free TAFE?

Free TAFE is a Victorian Government program that will pay your tuition fees to study in selected courses at TAFE, if you’re eligible.

What’s the difference between Free TAFE and Fee-Free TAFE?

Both terms refer to the same Victorian Government program. Free TAFE and Fee-Free TAFE simply give you access to TAFE qualifications and short courses without the cost of tuition fees. While the program covers the tuition fees, please note that additional costs might apply to pay for student services, equipment or material costs.

Who is eligible for Free TAFE?

Any Australian citizen or permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen is eligible to do one Free TAFE for Priority Course as long as you:  

• are undertaking the training in Victoria, and 
• not attending a school (this doesn’t include a TAFE) or registered for home schooling in Victoria; and 
• have not started or be scheduled to start more than two government-subsidised courses in a year; and 
• not be undertaking more than two government programs – either courses or skill sets – at any one time.

How many Free TAFE courses can I do?

Unless your course is part of the Free TAFE Pathways program, Free TAFE will cover your tuition fees for one course only.  Once you have started a Free TAFE course, you can’t get a tuition-free place again, even if you don’t finish your first tuition-free priority course. 

The Free TAFE Pathways initiative enables students to undertake more than one Free TAFE course but is only available to students who: 

• have completed a course that is part of a Free TAFE pathway; and  
• are seeking to commence another Free TAFE program in the same pathway.   

Is there a set order to the Priority Pathways?

No. While some courses make sense to complete in sequence (e.g. Certificate III in Commercial Cookery to Certificate in IV Kitchen Management or Certificate III in Hospitality to Diploma of Hospitality Management) so long as you complete each course you commence you are able to access the pathway in whatever order you choose.

I completed Certificate III in Commercial Cookery in 2016 (not under Free TAFE), and last year I completed a Diploma of Nursing using a Free TAFE place. Can I complete further Free TAFE studies?

Yes! As you hold a completion of one of the courses in the ‘Hospitality and Tourism’ Priority Pathway (Certificate III in Commercial Cookery) you are eligible to access a tuition waiver for any of the other four courses in the pathway.

I started a Certificate III in Hospitality under Free TAFE at another organisation, but I withdrew halfway through. I would now like to do the Diploma of Hospitality Management. Am I eligible for Free TAFE for the Diploma?

No. In order to access further courses in the Priority Pathway, you must complete each course you commence. You would be eligible to recommence and complete your Certificate III in Hospitality under Free TAFE with us, and then the rest of the ‘Hospitality and Tourism’ Priority Pathway becomes available and you can continue into the Diploma under a tuition waiver.

I am currently studying the Certificate IV in Kitchen Management. Am I eligible for Free TAFE for the Diploma of Hospitality?

Not until you have completed your current studies. You cannot be enrolled into two Free TAFE places at once, and to be deemed eligible for a further tuition waiver under Free TAFE you must complete your Certificate IV in Kitchen Management.

I am an Asylum Seeker. Am I eligible for Free TAFE?

If you meet the eligibility requirements to study under the Asylum Seeker VET Program, you will have access to all courses offered through the Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative.