study/course fees/tafe student fees/

Paying for TAFE

At CQUniversity we offer a range of payment solutions to support our student's educational journey. 

Navigating the financial aspects of TAFE education can be confusing, with eligibility for subsidies, concessions or payment plans adding layers of complexity. To help you better understand these topics, we've detailed information below. However, should you find yourself seeking further clarification or have any lingering questions, we encourage you to reach out to our dedicated team at 13 27 86. Alternatively, you may opt to visit your nearest campus, where our knowledgeable staff are ready to assist you. 

Please carefully consider your training options before committing to a training course as this may exhaust your entitlement to further Queensland Government Subsidised training.

Thanks to the Australian and Queensland Governments CQUniversity can provide eligible students with a range of funding and subsidy options. The Government will pay all or part of a student’s course tuition fees, reducing the amount of money a student needs to pay.  These government subsidies are aligned with the need for workers in specific industries. Students can review CQUniversity’s available funding option on TAFE Subsidised Training. 

Course tuition fees are subject to change and specific resources are required for many courses.

A VET Student Loan is a loan from the Australian government that assists eligible students in paying their tuition fees.  A VET Student Loan gives rise to a HELP debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is paid.  The debt is repaid through the Australian tax system once you reach the minimum income threshold for repayment; repayments continue until you have repaid the debt.  For more information on the minimum threshold set by the Australian Government and repayments, please view the VSL Information Booklet.

VET Student Loans are only available to approved courses at diploma level and above. A VET Student Loan cannot be used for a Certificate IV level course or below.

Fee concessions may apply to government funded courses or units for eligible students to help reduce the cost of your study and training. Other costs e.g. trade equipment

If you are paying full fees, instalment plans are available for CQUniversity students who meet specific eligibility criteria. 

To apply for a VET Payment Plan, complete and submit a VET Payment Plan Enquiry prior to enrolment and a member of our Student Engagement Team will be in touch to discuss eligibility and the application process.

Payment Plans are approved for one enrolment intake at a time and are only provided where enrolment fees are $300 or greater. A minimum deposit of $75 or 20% of the total cost of enrolment, whichever is the greater, is required prior to the loan being issued. Loans are repaid via regular direct debit payments and must be fully repaid at least 30 days prior to the end date of the study period for which the payment plan has been approved.

CQUniversity offers a range of Scholarships that are available to our TAFE students as we believe a quality education can be for everyone – regardless of background, location or life circumstances.

Whether you’re just starting out or continuing your studies, receiving a scholarship can help balance your study and life commitments. A scholarship looks good on your resume and may open the door to industry networks and work experience opportunities. You can review our range of scholarships here and find the right scholarship for you.

Refer to CQUniversity’s student refund and credit balance policy and procedure for information regarding CQUniversity’s student refunds and credit balances.

As an international student, you will enrol in your course as a full fee-paying student. Tuition fees vary depending on the course you study. At CQU, we offer additional support when it comes to tuition fees plus, we have competitive fees.

Find out more about international course fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

To be eligible for the concession fee, you must be eligible to access subsidised training, as well as meet the eligibility requirements.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible you must meet one of the following criteria:

  • the student holds a Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card issued under Commonwealth law or is the partner or a dependant of a person who holds a Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card and is named on the card.
  • the student provides CQUniversity with an official form under Commonwealth law confirming that the student, his or her partner, or the person of whom the student is a dependant, is entitled to concessions under a Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card
  • the student is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
  • the student has a disability.
  • the student is an adult prisoner.

You also need to:

  • be 15 years or older and no longer in school
  • live in Queensland full time
  • be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or temporary resident with the necessary visa or work permits.
  • meet any other eligibility as specified for the funding program and/or course

Confirmation of eligibility may be requested to support your concession status, such as:

  • confirmation of identity (e.g. birth certificate, student ID with photo, passport, driver's license)
  • advice from the Department of Education, Training and Employment (DETE) that Abstudy has been approved.
  • a declaration from the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community group or from TAFE Queensland Brisbane's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander officer.

For more information, please call our friendly Student Advice Team on 13 27 86.

JobTrainer is closed to new students. The Queensland Government website provides further information.

Explore More

TAFE Subsidised Training

Reduce the fees you pay with government subsidised training, from free to low-fee TAFE course options.

Scholarships

Explore a range of VET scholarships available to help support the cost of your study as a CQU TAFE student.

TAFE Student Fees

Find out more about TAFE student fees, Government funding, student loans, and unit prices.