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Vocational Education and Training fees

Find out the difference between government-subsidised places and full-fee places, and whether you're eligible for a free TAFE course.

If you're studying at Federation TAFE, you'll be charged fees for your tuition and any materials you need for your course. What you pay depends on whether you’ve been offered a government-subsidised place or a full fee–paying place. And if you're eligible for a VET Student Loan, you can apply to defer your payment.

Free TAFE

Free TAFE is a Victorian Government initiative that's designed to address workforce shortages. Many of our TAFE courses are now fully funded under this scheme. If you’re eligible, you won't have to pay any tuition fees, but will still need to cover things like materials. 

Government-subsidised places

The Victorian Government provides funding for some TAFE courses through the Skills First Program. If you're eligible, you'll only have to pay part of the tuition fee (although you will have to pay any other fees in full – like materials).

We'll assess your eligibility based on the full eligibility criteria set by the Victorian Government.

All Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students can access free tuition for approved training at any level, including diploma and advanced diploma, under the Victorian Government's Skills First Aboriginal Access fee-waiver initiative.

If you're an Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen, you're eligible for a government-subsidised place if you:

  • live in Victoria (or a border region*) while studying
  • study in Victoria
  • are not attending school (excluding TAFE) or registered home schooling in Victoria
  • have not started or are not scheduled to start more than two government-subsidised courses in a year
  • will not be doing more than two government programs (courses or skill sets) at the same time.

*Border regions are those with the following postcodes: 

  • SA 5262, 5263, 5267–5272, 5277–5279, 5290, 5291, 5302–5304, 5311, 5333, 5340, 5342–5345
  • NSW 2546, 2548–2551, 2625–2633, 2640–2648, 2650, 2651, 2653, 2655, 2656, 2658–2660, 2700, 2707, 2710–2717, 2720, 2730–2739.

You'll receive an 80% discount on your subsidised tuition fees if you meet the eligbility above and the concession eligibility. You'll need to:

  • be enrolled in a certificate course (not a diploma or advanced diploma)
  • hold a valid concession card - Commonwealth Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card or Veteran's Gold Card - or you're named on a valid concession card as a dependent child or spouse.

You'll need to demonstrate your eligibility when you submit your application, or before you commence your course. 

Download the 2026 TAFE Indicative Fee Schedule (PDF 197 KB) to find the tuition fees for your course.

Full-fee paying places

If you're not eligible for a government-subsidised place or a Free TAFE course, you'll be charged the full tuition fee. Download the 2026 TAFE Indicative Fee schedule (PDF 230 KB) to calculate your course costs. You may be able to defer your fee payment with a VET Student Loan.

Material fees

Some VET courses have materials fees (to cover the cost of activities such as excursions or materials like beauty kits or uniforms that become your property). Search for your course to view the estimated materials fee or ask your course coordinator.

VET Tuition Assurance

Federation University is exempt from VET Tuition Assurance requirements under the Higher Education Support Act 2003. As a dual-sector provider, we’re committed to delivering high-quality learning across all programs and supporting students through any changes.
 
If a program is being discontinued, we’ll consult with affected students first. If there’s no suitable replacement available at Federation, you’ll be entitled to a full refund of any upfront tuition fees and/or a re-credit of your VET Student Loan or VET FEE-HELP balance.