Financial Assistance
Assistance available from the Australian Government - VET FEE-HELP
VET FEE-HELP is an Australian Government student loan scheme for the vocational education and training (VET) sector that is part of the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP).
VET FEE-HELP assists eligible students undertaking certain VET courses of study (diploma, advanced diploma, graduate certificate and graduate diploma courses) with an approved VET provider, to pay for all or part of their tuition costs, including fees for recognition of prior learning (RPL). A VET provider is a registered training organisation who has been approved by the Australian Government to offer VET FEE-HELP assistance to their students.
The scheme covers the cost of your tuition fees through a loan that you do not need to start paying back until you are employed and earning a certain level of income.
You can find out more by talking to your training provider, by visiting the Study Assist website or calling 1800 020 108.
Centrelink assistance for individuals studying or training
Centrelink offers schemes for adults in study, training or looking for work.
See the are you studying or training? page on the Centrelink website to apply for payments online and access all relevant education and training information.
Youth Allowance Scheme
Youth Allowance helps if you are a young person who is studying, undertaking training or an Australian Apprenticeship, looking for work, or sick.
For more information, see the Youth Allowance page on the Centrelink website.
ABSTUDY
If you are an Indigenous student or a full-time apprentice, ABSTUDY may help you stay in training or go on to further studies. It consists of a fortnightly living allowance as well as additional components to help with the costs associated with studying. For more information, see the ABSTUDY page on the Centrelink website.
Indigenous students are also assisted by the Indigenous Completions Initiative, under which they pay a reduced tuition fee for enrolment in government-subsidised training at all levels, including diploma and above.
Scholarships
Some TAFE institutes and associations provide scholarships to assist in the payment of tuition fees, books and other costs of undertaking studies.
Contact the TAFE institute directly to find out what scholarships may be available, if you are eligible to apply and how to put in an application.
Travel - student concessions
Student concessions are available for students (TAFE, university and other providers). They entitle students to travel at a reduced fare for public transport within Victoria. Information is available from staffed train stations, selected bus depots, and online at the Public Transport Victoria website.
For more information, call Public Transport Victoria.
Public Transport Victoria
Tel: 1800 800 007