2012 Fees and Charges at GOTAFE

Summary of GOTAFE Fees, Charges & Refunds Policy - 1st January
2012 to 31st December 2012

GOTAFE offers training under two (2) fee structures:
   A. Government subsidised
   B. Non-subsidised - Fee for Service


A. Government Subsidised

Government Subsidised Student Fees consist of three (3) parts:

  1. Material fees - Some courses may have charges to cover costs of materials and other
    incidentals. This fee will vary according to the course being undertaken.

  2. Non-academic - Directly contributes to the costs of providing student services and amenities
    for students. This fee is set at 25 cents for each nominal enrolled hour. A minimum of $10 and
    maximum of $160 applies to non- academic fees.

  3. Tuition fees - A large portion of the tuition is subsidised by the Victorian Government for
    eligible students and fees are determined according to a government schedule (below).

Tuition fees for all government subsidised training vary according to course category.

There are six (6) course categories and associated tuition fee rates and concession fees that apply to students commencing a qualification after 1st July 2009:

Tuition Fee rates for NEW enrolments in courses that commence on or after 1st January 2012
(Skills Reform 2):

Course Category Rate per
Nominal Hour		 Concession
Foundation - Language, literacy &
numeracy & job-readiness courses		 $1.08 $50
Skills Creation - Vocational
Certificates 1 & 2		 $1.62 $105
Skills Building - Certificates 3 & 4 $2.17 $187
Apprenticeship
All		 $2.17 $187
Traineeship
All		 $2.17 $187
Skills Deepening
Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas and
higher level qualifications**		 $4.33 NA*

pdf Fees for Skills Deepening courses for Semester 1, 2012.pdf
(255kb Published on 06-01-2012)

* 'Youth Concession' tuition fee of $100 applies to Skills Deepening courses when the student is aged under 25 years and they hold a current concession card.

* Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolling in a Skills Deepening category qualification will be charged $375.00 tuition unless they meet 'Youth Concession' conditions.

** The Commonwealth government provides tuition fee exemption for government subsidised students undertaking Diploma of Children's Services and Advanced Diploma of Children's Services.

GOTAFE publishes a schedule of indicative tuition fees for Certificate I-IV and Vocational Graduate Certificates qualifications and courses for government subsidised and non-government subsidised fees & VET FEE HELP eligible courses - Diploma and Advanced Diplomas- are delivered as Units of Study (groups of Unit of Competence)


Tuition Fee rates for enrolments in courses that commenced after 1st July 2009 and before 1st January 2012 (Skills Reform 1):

Course Category Rate per
Nominal Hour		 Concession Maximum
Foundation - Language, literacy &
numeracy & job-readiness courses		 $1.08 $50 $500
Skills Creation - Vocational
Certificates 1 & 2		 $1.62 $105 $875
Skills Building - Certificates 3 & 4 $2.17 $187 $1250
Apprenticeship
All		 $2.17 $187 NA
Traineeship
All		 $2.17 $187 $1250
Skills Deepening
Diplomas, Advanced
Diplomas and higher
level qualifications		 $4.33 NA*** $2500

*** 'Youth Concession' Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tuition fees apply as for Skills Reform 2 (above).

 

Tuition Fee rates for enrolments in courses that commenced prior to 1st July 2009 (Fee Maintenance):

  • A gap in training without approved 'leave of absence' constitutes a new commencement and loss of access to the
    'fee maintenance' rate.
Course Category Rate per
Nominal Hour		 Concession Maximum

 All
 		 $1.48 $59 $939

 

Eligibility for Government Subsidised Training Places


After a client has made application to undertake a course or qualification, their eligibility for government subsidised tuition fees is determined by the admitting staff. Options will be discussed where client ineligibility is
determined.

To be eligible for government subsidised training in Victoria, candidates at all course categories must meet one of the citizenship criteria and one of the additional criteria:

Citizenship Criteria
• Australian Citizen; or
• Permanent Visa holder; or
• Special Category Visa (sub-class 444) holder; or
• East Timorese asylum seeker; or
• Temporary protection visa holders

Additional Criteria
• Under 20 on the 1st January in the year of enrolment, or
• Over 20 and enrolling into Foundation, or
• Over 20 and enrolling into an Apprenticeship (not Traineeship), or
• Over 20 and enrolling into a qualification at a higher level than any previously completed, or
• Over 20 and holding an approved application for 'Exemption to Eligibility Criteria'

Exemption from Eligibility Criteria may be applied to some students who meet citizenship criteria and who are entering a critical skills course, or suffer disadvantage in the workplace. Application must be made to be considered for 'Exemption to Eligibility'.

Student declaration & evidence to support eligibility for a government subsidised place


As part of the admission to a course, each student will be asked a series of questions relating to the above criteria. They will also be required to sign a declaration verifying their eligibility for government
subsidised tuition and provide Proof of Identity. (Refer to Proof of Identity flyer).


Concessions

Students who are eligible for government subsidised tuition who hold, or are listed as dependents on, one of the following current concession cards, will be able to access concessions on the tuition part of their fees as per the previous schedule. These include;

• Commonwealth Health Care Card
• Pensioner Concession Card
• Veteran's Gold Card

Please note:

• Concessions do not apply for Skills Deepening category courses except when 'youth concession' conditions are met.

• 'Youth Concession' tuition fee of $100 applies to Skills Deepening courses when the student is aged under 25 years and they hold a current concession card (as above).

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students will be charged concession fees in all course categories. At Skills Deepening this is $375.00
• Concessions do not apply if a student's tuition fees are being paid by a Commonwealth government agency or as part of a Commonwealth program or initiative.

 

 

Payment of Fees

GOTAFE fees and charges are due and payable on, or before start
date of each course.
Government subsidised students may be excluded from classes if
fees & charges are not paid or managed by a deferred fee direct debit
arrangement by the Census date of each course.

Skills Recognition

For students eligible for government subsidised tuition the following
Skills Recognition fees apply:

Enrolment Type Students NOT eligible for
government subsidy

Recognition of Prior Learning
(RPL) enrolment:
All course categories
 		 $ 0

Course enrolment:
RPL undertaken as part of a course
enrolment.
 		 $ 0 - refund may apply if tuition
fees have previously been paid

 

 

Fee Refunds

Refunds for Certificates 1-4 & Graduate Certificate qualifications:

Refunds will be made in full, for government subsidised courses,
when students withdraw from all, or part, of a course if they:

• Provide written notification, by completing an 'Application for Refund' form and submit it to the enrolment Centre at their campus.
• Withdrawal is within four (4) weeks of the Commencement date of their course.
• Applications for refund received after the 4 week period from the course start date will not be granted, unless the applicant can demonstrate cause for special consideration.
• Students who withdraw to accept a place of study at another educational institution will receive a full refund upon presentation of the letter of offer from the other institution with the Application for Refund form

Refunds for VET FEE HELP eligible (Diploma and Advanced Diploma)
courses:
Students who withdraw from a VET Unit of Study:

• On, or before the Administration date (week before the census date) shall receive a full refund.
• After the Administration date, but on, or before the census date of that VET Unit of Study shall receive a full refund less a late withdrawal fee of $60.00
• After the Census date of a VET unit of study, shall not be eligible for refund and, if a VET FEE HELP applicant will incur a FEE HELP debt.

 

GOTAFE offers 3 student loan options for government subsidised tuition:

Deferred Fee Arrangements

Loan provided by GOTAFE to the student for government subsidised training tuition fees, non academic and materials fees of a student enrolment.

• The concession tuition fee specific to your Course Category is required as a deposit for each course at the time of enrolment.
• Fortnightly direct debit payments are required from a nominated bank account over a 4 month period, or by the end of the course of study - whichever is the earlier.
• Students must bring banking details and the deposit to the Enrolment Centre to set this loan in place.
• Deferred Fees are not available for Fee for Service programs or Short Courses.


Special Consideration

In special circumstances, where a student is experiencing financial hardship and is unable to make the payments to the Deferred Fee payment schedule, they can apply for Special Consideration. It is:

• Only available for government subsidised training and other associated fees - not Fee for Service.
• Can only be approved after the student has met with a Campus Commercial and Operations Manager, Administration Team Leader or a Student Services Officer.
• Students must bring banking details to the Enrolment Centre to set this loan in place.
• Payments must be completed before completion of the course.

 

VET Fee Help

Commonwealth government income contingent loan

• For tuition fees of students undertaking eligible Diploma and Advanced Diploma qualifications.
• VET FEE HELP Handbook must be read before making application.
• VET FEE HELP eligible students can use VET FEE HELP for government subsidised and Fee for Service tuition fees in Diploma and Advanced Diploma qualifications.
• Repaid via the taxation system.
• Students must apply through the GOTAFE Registrar's office via their campus Enrolment Centre on or before, the Administration Date of their Unit of Study.
• Students must complete the Request for VET FEE HELP assistance form, meet residency criteria and provide a Tax File Number.

 

 

B. Non Subsidised Fee for Service

Fee for Service fees must be applied when:

• Courses are not eligible for government subsidised tuition because they are non-accredited being specially developed to meet industry and community needs such as hobby or interest courses.

• Clients are not eligible for government subsidised tuition in accredited courses.

Fee for Service Fees are determined by GOTAFE.


Eligibility for Fee For Service training

There are no eligibility criteria for Fee for Service training places, but students must have approval to be admitted to the course of study. Where the course delivers accredited units an admissions and approval process must be undertaken prior to enrolment.

 

Concessions

There are no concessions available for Fee For Service course or programs.


Skills Recognition

Where a student is not eligible for government subsidised training
fees will apply as per the table below.

Enrolment Type Students eligible for
government subsidy

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) enrolment:
Foundation & Skills Creation category
courses (Certificates 1 & 2)
 		 $300

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) enrolment:
Skills Building category courses
(Certificates 3 & 4)
 		 $550

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) enrolment:
Skills Deepening category courses
(Diploma & Advanced Diploma)
 		 $850 per Unit of Study

Course training enrolment:
RPL undertaken as part of a FFS course
enrolment.
 		 Fee for Service course
fees apply.

pdf Fees for Skills Deepening courses for Semester 1, 2012.pdf
(255kb Published on 06-01-2012)

 

Fee Refunds

Full refunds are available for Fee for Service courses where the course is cancelled by the Institute.

Refunds for Certificates 1-4 & Graduate Certificate qualifications:

• If a student withdraws from a Fee for Service course before the course commencement date, a full refund, less $20.00 will be given.
• No refunds are available after course commencement.

Refunds for VET FEE HELP eligible (Diploma and Advanced Diploma) courses:

Students who withdraw from a VET Unit of Study:

• On, or before the Administration date (week before the census date) shall receive a full refund.
• After the Administration date, but on, or before the census date of that VET Unit of Study shall receive a full refund less a late withdrawal fee of $60.00
• After the Census date of a VET unit of study, shall not be eligible for refund and, if a VET FEE HELP applicant will incur a FEE HELP debt.


Deferred Fee Arrangements

GOTAFE does not offer Deferred Fee arrangements for any Fee for
Service fees.

• However, students in VET FEE HELP eligible Units of Study at Diploma and Advanced Diploma levels who must pay Fee for Service rates have the option of applying for a VET FEE HELP loan.


VET FEE HELP

Commonwealth government income contingent loan

• For tuition fees of students undertaking eligible Diploma and Advanced Diploma qualifications.
• VET FEE HELP Handbook must be read before making application.
• VET FEE HELP eligible students can use VET FEE HELP for government subsidised and Fee for Service tuition fees in Diploma and Advanced Diploma qualifications.
• Repaid via the taxation system.
• Students must complete the Request for VET FEE HELP assistance form, meet residency criteria and provide a Tax File Number.
• Students must apply via their campus Enrolment Centre on or before, the Administration Date of their Unit of Study.

NOTE: Deferred Fee Arrangements and Special Consideration are
not available for Fee for Service programs.

 

This section applies to all students at GOTAFE:

Census Dates


The Census date of a course is:

• For VET FEE HELP eligible courses and qualifications: The date on which the VET FEE HELP loan is incurred by the student.
• For all other government subsidised courses: The date by which if fees are not paid or a Deferred Fee arrangement is not in place, cancellation of a student's enrolment may occur.


The Census dates for 2012 are:

Semester 1 - Monday 23rd April 2012
Semester 2 - Monday 24th September 2012

If an enrolment is for a full year the census date is Monday the 24th September 2012.

Administration Dates

Administration dates of a course are:

• For VET FEE HELP eligible courses: The date by which VET FEE HELP applications must be submitted.
• For all other government subsidised courses and qualifications: The date by which fees must be paid, or a deferred fee payment schedule be in place.

Administration Dates are set 1 week prior to the Census dates:

• Semester 1 - Monday 16th April 2012
• Semester 2 - Monday 17th September 2012

Payment Methods

Students can pay fees at the major campus locations - Shepparton,
Wangaratta, Benalla, Seymour, Warragul, Werribee and Terang by:

• Cash
• Cheque
• EFTPOS
• Credit card
• Deferred Fee arrangements
• VET FEE HELP (tuition only) plus one of the above for
materials and non-academic fees.


An employer or third party can pay for student fees by paying an invoice on behalf of a student.


Printing credit

Students accessing printing services at Institute facilities have access to a personal printing account to which they apply print credit. Unused print credit at the end of each calendar year is non-refundable.


Unpaid Fees

It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all fees or debts are paid.
Students at all course categories may be excluded from classes if fees & charges are not paid or have a Deferred Fee Loan in place by the Census date of each course. Students with outstanding debts to the Institute will not be able to do any of the following until outstanding fees are paid in full.

• be permitted to attend class, or
• be permitted to re-enrol, or
• receive Statements of Results or Statements of Attainment, or
• be permitted to graduate.


Document Replacement Charges

• Statement of Results from 1985 onwards per page $5.00
• Statement of Results pre 1985 (manual records) per year $2.00 and $20.00 (search fee)
• Student ID Card replacement $20.00
• Certificate replacement $30.00

 

GST

Depending on the subject or course selected, and in some cases, the purpose for which the student is undertaking the course a 10% GST will be charged on that part of the fee.

Material and Skills recognition fees are GST free in some circumstances.

 

More Information

Further information can be found in the published policies and procedures on the GOTAFE website

Available at campus Enrolment Centres:

  • VET FEE HELP Information Brochure
  • Proof of ID Brochure
  • Enrolling at GOTAFE Brochure
  • Skills Recognition Brochure

Page updated on 21 February 2011 by Webmaster SK
Authorised by: H Anderson