Fee Free TAFE and vocational education is a joint initiative of the Australian and South Australian Governments providing tuition-free training places to students wanting to train, retrain or upskill.
People from the following groups are strongly encouraged to apply:
Fee Free TAFE is intended for new students to the course being offered. Students need to be new to the course, not new to TAFE SA.
To be eligible for Fee Free TAFE, at the time the course commences, you must:
Applicants must also meet any specific academic requirements for individual courses.
Depending on the type of training and resources that are required to deliver it effectively, class sizes for any given course may be limited. Fee Free places are subject to availability at each intake and may be subject to capacity constraints.
Applicants seeking a Fee-Free TAFE funded place in an eligible course will be requested to complete a pre-enrolment checklist.
Fee-Free TAFE eligibility is determined according to the eligibility requirements for accessing subsidised training. For details visit Subsidised Training.
The number of Fee Free TAFE places that are funded is limited by the terms of the skills agreement signed by the Australian and South Australian Governments.
Fee Free TAFE and vocational education is a joint partnership between the Australian and South Australian Governments to support accessible training for more South Australians.
It represents a significant investment in training delivery in South Australia and will support industries facing skills shortages, growth industries and emerging sectors, creating more opportunities for South Australians to access new and high-level skills in these priority areas.
Fee Free TAFE and vocational education places in qualifications, accredited skill sets and foundation skill courses will be available through TAFE SA and selected non-government training organisations and will focus on priority areas including:
Fee Free TAFE covers course tuition fees only. This also means that any fees associated with Recognition of Prior Learning are also fee free.
Fee Free TAFE is intended for new students to the course being offered.
The Fee Free TAFE course list can be found here.
Please note, Fee Free TAFE covers the tuition fee of the course. Where applicable some courses may include additional fees such as a Resource Fee or Incidental Fee.
Any additional fees will be identified in course specific information.
Fee Free TAFE places are available for students enrolling to start in 2024, subject to funding availability, and will remain free for eligible students for the duration of the course.
To be eligible for Fee Free TAFE, at the time the course commences, people must:
Fee-Free TAFE eligibility is determined according to the eligibility requirements for accessing subsidised training. For details visit Subsidised Training (tafesa.edu.au).
The focus of Fee Free TAFE for 2024 is for general students only . As such, Apprentice and Trainee are not eligible for Fee Free TAFE, but remain subsidised by the South Australian Government.
From 15 October 2020, Standard Entitlement Criteria do not apply to any course on the Subsidised Training List. This means:
Yes, Upfront Assessment of Need (UAN) is still required as are any other course requirements.
Yes, but students can only have two (2) active Training Accounts at once.
No, students enrolled in school at the time the Fee Free TAFE course commences will not be eligible for Fee Free TAFE. This applies to both independent and public-school students. However, School Students who are under the Guardianship of the Minister are eligible for Fee Free TAFE courses.
If students will graduate or leave school by the time the Fee Free TAFE course commences, they can qualify for Fee Free TAFE.
Students may be eligible for Fee Free TAFE if they are a holder of an eligible visa.
To confirm eligible VISAs, visit the Skills SA website.
Yes, providing applicants meet the student eligibility already provided.
Yes. Fee Free TAFE is targeted at students new to the Fee Free TAFE course.
Current fee-paying students are not permitted to withdraw and re-enrol under the same qualification or skill set now that it may be fee free. Fee Free TAFE is targeted at students new to the Fee Free TAFE course.
Deferral of courses that are eligible for Fee Free TAFE may be granted subject to course availability, and the commencement intake must be within the calendar period of the Fee Free TAFE funding agreement.
A leave of absence for a student who has commenced a Fee Free TAFE course, may be granted for a single period of six (6) months over the duration of the course.
A change in study load does not impact a student’s eligibility for Fee Free TAFE.
Yes, transfers from private providers to TAFE SA can qualify for Fee Free TAFE.
Yes, students who withdraw from a Fee Free TAFE course at an interstate TAFE can transfer to a Fee Free TAFE course at TAFE SA.
Yes, Fee Free TAFE is payable for up to five (5) Bridging Units completed by a Participant enrolled in a full Fee Free TAFE qualification.
You are eligible. Enrolments for, or delivery commenced, from the time of signing the skills agreement up to 31 December 2024 will be eligible for Fee Free TAFE.
No, Fee Free TAFE applicants with outstanding fees owed to TAFE SA will not be permitted to enrol until all outstanding fees are paid.
Yes, TAFE SA will provide student support services in accordance with its respective student related policies and procedures.
Currently enrolled FFT students who are continuing their studies in 2024 do not have to re-enrol in their current FFT course.
Visit career planning for a range of resources and information to help you plan your career and training goals. You can also book an appointment with our careers team to discuss your options.
If you need further assistance, please phone TAFE SA on 1800 882 661 or contact us.
Freecall 1800 882 661