Paying for your study

Fees Free:

If you are studying with a provider, you can get up to $12,000 of fees-free payments in your first year. 

For provider-based study, your fees-free entitlement will cover:

• tuition fees

• compulsory course costs, and

• compulsory student services fees.

Fees Free does not cover other optional and occasional fees such as students’ association and club memberships, some course materials and late fees. This includes compulsory books or equipment. that learners can purchase from another source.

Student Loan:

The Student Loan is there to help with study costs. You may get a loan to help with your compulsory fees, course-related and living costs. You do have to pay this back. 

Student Allowance:

This is a weekly payment for full-time students to help with day-to-day living expenses. There are certain criteria you have to meet to qualify, but you do not have to pay it back.

I highly recommend you reading Money Hub's Student Loan Information Booklet. This has lots of useful information and will ensure you are fully informed.

Below, are a range of resources to support you. 

When applying for a Student Loan you will need a Real Me account. Your RealMe login is a single username and password you can use to securely access services online.  

Free Trades Training

The Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF; also known as free trades training) will support learners to undertake vocational education and training without fees. 

The TTAF will cover fees until 31 December 2022 and will be paid directly to tertiary education organisations (TEOs). This will enable TEOs to provide education and training without fees to learners.

Here is a list of the qualifications and programmes under the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF). TTAF will pay the fees on behalf of learners enrolled in these qualifications and programmes.  

This is a link to the Tertiary Education Organisations (TEOs) that offer apprenticeships, qualifications or programmes covered by the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF).