Course codes, fees and qualifications
On this page:
What does the course code mean?
Which fee-types can I apply for?
Free TAFE for Priority Courses
Types of courses and qualifications
What does the course code mean?
Every course that has applications through VTAC has a ten-digit course code. Some courses have more than one. A course code represents:
- the institution
- the course
- the campus it is taught at, and
- the fee-type
The course code can be found in CourseSearch and it is also used when completing your course application preference list. Check your codes carefully to make sure you are applying for the institution, course, campus and the fee-type for the place that you want.
For courses with no course codes, applications should be made directly to the institution.
Campus codes
If the same course is offered at more than one campus, there will be a slightly different codes for each campus (the fourth and fifth number of the course code represent the campus). Double check you have chosen the code for the campus you want.
Fee-types
The last digit of the course code (1, 2, 3 or 4) shows you the type of course fees you will be required to pay if you get an offer:
- Codes that end in 1 are government-funded places, so you only pay part of the cost.
- Codes that end in 2 are domestic full-fee places, so you pay the full cost.
- Codes that end in 3 are international full-fee places, so you pay the full cost.
- Codes that end in 4 are determined by the provider. Whether you are eligible for a government-funded place or a full-fee place will be determined by the institution when you enrol.
Which fee-types can I apply for?
The fee-types available to you in the course application are determined by your age and your citizenship/residency as shown in the table below.
Note for international students: If you are granted permanent residency during the VTAC application period, please contact VTAC immediately. See Make changes in your profile or course application.
| Citizenship | Higher education courses | Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Codes | CSP codes ending in 1 | DFP codes ending in 2 | IFP codes ending in 3 | DFP codes ending in 2 | Fee type determined by provider codes ending in 4 |
| Australian citizen | check | check | close | check | check |
| Australian permanent resident | check | check | close | check | check |
| New Zealand citizen | check | check | close | check | check |
| Temporary resident | close | close | check | close | close |
| Will obtain a temporary resident/student visa | close | close | check | close | close |
CSP (Commonwealth supported places) DFP (domestic fee places) IFP (international fee places)
CSP (Commonwealth supported places)
VTAC course codes that end in 1 followed by 'CSP' in brackets are for Commonwealth supported places. For example:
0987625841 (CSP)
This means the Australian Government subsidises the cost of your place in a higher education course and you are responsible for paying a portion of the cost, known as the student contribution.
To apply for Commonwealth supported places you must be:
- an Australian citizen,
- an Australian permanent resident, or
- a New Zealand citizen.
CSP student contributions
Student contribution amounts may vary between institutions and units but they cannot exceed the maximum amount set by the Australian Government. The amount you pay is calcualted based on the units of study (subjects) you undertake. Units of study are allocated to four bands and the maximum amount your institution can charge you depends on the band. Please note that units of study in the same course may be classified in different bands.
Student contribution ranges are available from www.studyassist.gov.au.
Payment options
For information about payment options including eligibility for HECS-HELP, see the Study Assist website (www.studyassist.gov.au) or call: 1800 020 108.
Your Tax File Number
You must provide your tax file number (TFN) to the tertiary institution when you enrol in a CSP place. If you don't already have a TFN, apply for one early to ensure it is available in time for enrolment. See the Australian Taxation Office website (www.ato.gov.au) or call 13 28 61.
DFP (Domestic fee places)
VTAC course codes that end in 2 followed by 'DFP' in brackets are for domestic full-fee places offered by TAFE providers and independent tertiary colleges. For example:
0987653382 (DFP)
There is no government contribution for these places and, unless you receive a scholarship, you will be liable for the full cost of the course. Tuition fees and other costs will be determined by the institution offering the course. These fees are calculated based on subjects or units taken and may vary between institutions.
To apply for domestic full-fee places you must be:
- an Australian citizen,
- an Australian permanent resident, or
- a New Zealand citizen.
Payment options
For information about fees and payment options for fee-paying places, see the institutions' pages.
IFP (International fee places)
VTAC course codes that end in 3 followed by 'IFP' in brackets are for international fee places. For example:
0987690743 (IFP)
You will be liable for the full cost of the course and required to pay the tuition fee directly to the institution each semester or year.
To apply for international fee places through VTAC, you must hold or plan to obtain an Australian temporary resident/student visa and be:
- a current student of a standard Australian Year 12 program (e.g. VCE) or International Baccalaureate in Australia or New Zealand; or,
- an international student currently enrolled at The University of Melbourne applying to transfer to another course at The University of Melbourne; or,
- a temporary resident or someone who is planning to obtain a student visa who is currently studying or has finished the NCEA in New Zealand with no tertiary studies applying to Monash University.
If you want to apply as an international student but you do not meet the criteria listed above, you must apply direct to the institution.
Payment options
For information about fees and payment options for international fee-paying places, see the institutions' pages.
Fee Type determined by provider
VTAC course codes that end in 4 followed by 'Fee Type determined by provider' in bracketsmeans that the institution will determine your eligibility for a government-funded place when you enrol. For example:
0987690744 (Fee Type determined by provider)
All vocational education and training (VET) courses with applications through VTAC will have VTAC course codes ending in 4.
To apply for VET places through VTAC you must be:
- an Australian citizen,
- an Australian permanent resident, or
- a New Zealand citizen.
You may be eligible for government funding if you are younger than 20 years of age on 1 January in the year you start the course or if you are eligible for Skills First funding.
Payment options
For the latest information and to find out if you are eligible for government funding for VET places, see the TAFE and Training website (www.education.vic.gov.au/training).
VET course pathways and fees
Please note: If you apply for VET courses that have Diploma or Advanced Diploma qualifications, in some cases you may be required to enrol in the Certificate level qualification before proceeding to the diploma level. This may affect your eligibility for government funding.
To find out which VET courses require enrolment at Certificate level, their fees and payment options, please contact the institution.
Free TAFE for Priority Courses
From 1 January 2019, eligible students will not pay course tuition fees in 30 priority non-apprenticeship courses, across the TAFE Network in Victoria. A further 20 government-subsidised apprenticeship pathway courses (sometimes called pre-apprenticeships) will also be free. Find out about courses and eligibility.
Types of courses and qualifications
Qualification level
All courses listed by VTAC are colour-coded by qualification level, as shown below.
Vocational education and training (VET)
VET courses provide professional and para-professional qualifications with an emphasis on practical skills and vocational pathways to further training, higher education or employment. A wide variety of study areas are offered, each one involving training for expertise in a particular skill area. VET qualifications are designed in close consultation with industry to ensure the training is current and relevant for industry requirements. Class sizes are usually small, allowing for individual attention. These courses may be work-based or involve a work placement.
VET Vocational education and training
- VET qualifications include: Certificate II, Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma.
Higher education
Higher education courses provide professional qualifications with an emphasis on theory and the development of transferable skills. Some courses are vocational, leading to careers in clearly identified areas (e.g. Accounting) while others are 'generalist' with no particular vocational skills component. Although courses vary, many higher education courses include formal lectures and tutorials.
HE Undergraduate
- Undergraduate qualifications include: bachelor degrees and associate degrees
Grad Graduate entry (other)
- Graduate entry (other) includes all courses that require an undergraduate or VET qualification and/or relevant work experience as a prerequisite
- Graduate entry qualifications include: Graduate Diploma, Bachelor, Honours, Master degree, and Doctorate
Course length
Courses generally take the following length of time to complete:
- Bachelor degrees require at least three years full-time study
- Associate degrees require at least two years full-time study
- Advanced diplomas require at least two years full-time study
- Diplomas require two years of full-time study
- Certificate IV courses can be (but are not always) the first year of a diploma
- Certificate II and Certificate III courses usually require between six and twelve months full-time study.
Mode of study
Full-time
All courses vary in the time commitment they require from students, so it is best to check with the institutions to be clear about what is meant by 'full-time'. Depending on the content and level of the course, this could be anything between 12 and 35 contact hours (i.e. hours in tutorials and lectures) per week. In addition to this, you are expected to devote equal time to studying and assignments. Again, this varies from course to course and from subject to subject.
Part-time
Many courses can be studied part-time. Check individual course entries for 'PT' (part-time) to see if they accept applications for part-time study through VTAC. Otherwise check with the institution to find out if part-time options are available.
Off-campus
A number of courses offering off-campus study accept applications through VTAC. Check individual course entries to see if they offer an off-campus option. Otherwise check with the institution to find out if off-campus options are available.