Study Free TAFE courses

What is Free TAFE for Priority Courses?

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

Who is eligible for Free TAFE for Priority Courses?

You might be eligible if you are under 20 years old, or if you are enrolling in a course at a higher level than any you have completed before, but you can check by contacting Box Hill Institute on 1300 269 445 or by contacting the Training and TAFE line on 131 823.

A TAFE, such as Box Hill Institute, will confirm your eligibility when you enrol in Free TAFE for Priority Courses.

When does Free TAFE for Priority Courses start?

Free TAFE for Priority Courses will start on 1 January 2019.

Which courses will be tuition-free priority courses?

The tuition-free priority course list includes non-apprenticeship courses and courses that provide pathways to apprenticeships (also known as ‘pre-apprenticeships’).

The tuition-free priority courses lead to occupations in industries where there are likely to be more jobs. Some of them lead to work in important areas like preventing family violence, rolling out the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Victoria and delivering our major infrastructure projects.

Non-apprenticeship courses

• Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
• Diploma of Accounting
• Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs
• Advanced Diploma of Accounting
• Certificate IV in Ageing Support
• Certificate II in Agriculture
• Certificate III in Agriculture
• Certificate IV in Agriculture
• Certificate III in Agriculture (Dairy Production)
• Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
• Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
• Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) 
• Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)
• Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying
• Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention
• Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations
• Certificate III in Civil Construction
• Certificate IV in Civil Construction Supervision
• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
• Certificate III in Community Services
• Certificate IV in Community Services
• Diploma of Community Services
• Certificate III in Concreting
• Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing
• Certificate IV in Cyber Security
• Certificate III in Dental Assisting
• Certificate IV in Dental Assisting
• Certificate IV in Disability
• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
• Certificate III in Education Support
• Certificate IV in Education Support
• Certificate IV in Engineering
• Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
• Certificate III in Horticulture
• Certificate III in Hospitality
• Certificate III in Individual Support
• Diploma of Justice
• Certificate IV in Mental Health
• Diploma of Nursing
• Certificate IV in Plumbing and Service
• Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure
• Certificate III in Tourism
• Certificate IV in Youth Work

Apprenticeship pathway courses

• Certificate II in Automotive Air Conditioning Technology
• Certificate II in Automotive Body Repair Technology
• Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology
• Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation
• Certificate II in Baking
• Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship
• Certificate II in Construction Pathways
• Certificate II in Electrotechnology Studies (Pre-vocational)
• Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start)
• Certificate II in Engineering Pathways
• Certificate II in Engineering Studies
• Certificate II in Furniture Making
• Certificate II in Horticulture
• Certificate II in Meat Processing (Food Services)
• Certificate II in Plumbing (Pre-apprenticeship)
• Certificate II in Printing and Graphic Arts (General)
• Certificate II in Production Nursery
• Certificate II in Salon Assistant

Where can I do tuition-free priority courses?

You can do tuition-free priority courses at Victorian TAFE institutes, such as Box Hill Institute, as well as universities that offer TAFE courses.

To find a course near you, contact Box Hill Institute on 1300 269 445 or call the Training and TAFE line on 131 823.

Does it cover all my fees?

If you are eligible, Free TAFE for Priority Courses pays the tuition fees for your whole course.

TAFEs may charge you other fees, such as student services fees or materials fees that you will have to cover yourself.

Can I do a course that's not on the Free TAFE for Priority Courses list?

Only the courses on the tuition-free priority course list will be tuition fee-free, but there are around 1,000 courses you can do at TAFEs and other training providers such as Box Hill Institute that are Victorian Government-subsidised.

While some tuition fees may apply for Victorian Government-subsidised training, you may be eligible for a concession.

Check the Victorian Skills Gateway to find Victorian Government-subsidised courses near you and Box Hill Insitute can check if you are eligible for a concession.

What's the difference between Government-Subsidised training and Free TAFE for Priority Courses?

Victorian Government-subsidised training is when the Government pays a large portion of the cost of your training if you are eligible, and you make a contribution, by paying fees. It's been around for a while and there are around 1,000 subsidised courses you can do at TAFEs and other training providers.

The courses on the tuition-free priority course list are subsidised, but the Government will also pay your tuition fees, if you’re eligible. It starts in 2019.

I am doing training now. Should I drop out and start again next year, when Free TAFE for Priority Courses comes in?

If you are currently doing training and you are happy with your course, you should complete it, especially if you have a Victorian Government-Subsidised place. There are limits on the number of times you can commence courses and stay eligible for subsidised training, so dropping out and restarting could mean you become ineligible.

If you are thinking of dropping out for any reason, talk to a course advisor at Box Hill Institute on 1300 269 445, or visit one of the Skills and Jobs Centres located at our City, Box Hill, and Lilydale Campuses. Skills and Job Centres are based in TAFEs across Victoria and provide expert advice on training and employment opportunities.

If I do a Free TAFE for Priority Courses, will I get a job?

The tuition-free priority courses are in areas where there are likely to be more jobs in the future.

When you finish your course, a Skills and Jobs Centre located at our City, Box Hill, or Lilydale Campus can help you search for a job and support you to prepare your resume.

How many priority courses can I do tuition-free?

Free TAFE for Priority Courses will pay your tuition fees for one course.

Once you have enrolled in a tuition-free priority course, you can't get a tuition-free place again in a different Free TAFE course, even if you don't finish your first tuition-free priority course.

You need to make a careful choice, so talk to Box Hill Institute 1300 269 445 or visit a Skills and Jobs Centre located at our City, Box Hill, or Lilydale Campus if you are unsure.

(Note: If you don't finish your first Free TAFE course and wish to recommence it, you can do this at the same TAFE or a different TAFE while that course is still on offer.)

How will Free TAFE for Priority Courses affect my eligibility for future government-subsidised training?

Courses undertaken as Free TAFE for Priority Courses are treated the same way as any other course you have undertaken, for the purpose of determining whether you are eligible for further Victorian Government-subsidised training.

Box Hill Institute are able to tell you about whether you will have future Victorian Government-subsidised training options.

Where can I find out more?

Contact Box Hill Institute on 1300 269 445 or call the Training and TAFE line on 131 823 or visit www.tafe.vic.gov.au.