• Questions about studying at TAFE
• Questions about Application Courses
• Questions about enrolment for Information Courses
• Questions about Direct Enrolment Courses

Questions about studying at TAFE

Q. What if I don't know which course I would like to do?

If you would like to access information yourself, you can purchase the TAFE NSW Handbook from most news agencies in early August, pick up a FREE Course Guide or listing from your nearest campus, or use the course search on this web site.

If you would prefer to discuss your options with someone, you can make an appointment with a TAFE Course & Career Counsellor at your nearest campus.

Q. How do I enrol?

It depends on which course you are interested in as to the enrolment procedures you need to follow. For most courses you can just attend a campus on the advertised enrolment days and enrol. For some courses you may need to do one of the following before you can enrol:

• lodge an application form and be offered a place (see questions relating to courses by application)
• attend an information session
• attend an interview and present a portfolio
• sit for a selection procedure

For more information about Enrolment Procedures or complete a course search, please contact Course Information on 131 225.

Q. Will I have to pay for the course & how much is it?

* Important Note: All Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma courses are offered on a commercial basis for new enrolments.  Contact your local campus for more information.

If you are receiving a benefit from Centrelink, you may be entitled to an exemption from this charge. On enrolment day, you will need to bring with you proof of benefit or most recent letter from Centrelink with date of grant. A Health Care Card is NOT acceptable. This can be clarified by speaking with Student Administration staff or by viewing the exemptions listing.

Enrolment by Proxy Form

If you are not receiving a Centrelink benefit but believe you may have difficulty paying the Administration Charge on the enrolment day, speak to your teacher or an Administration Officer.

For TAFE Plus commercial short courses, charges vary and you cannot apply for an exemption from the charge even if you are receiving Centrelink benefits.

Q. I can't come in on the designated day of enrolment what do I do?

You can nominate someone to enrol on your behalf, but you must complete an Enrolment by Proxy Nomination Form which you and the person you are nominating as your representative must sign. Forms are available at all TAFE campuses.

Enrolment by Proxy Nomination Form

The representative must then bring the completed form with any other relevant information on enrolment day. If the course is by application, you should contact the campus and speak to the teacher about making alternative arrangements.

Q. The company I work for is paying for my course what do I do?

When you approach the payment point at the cashiers office, give the company details to the staff member and an invoice will be issued to the company. You will receive a copy of your enrolment form after payment has been made.

Q. What books will I need and how much are they?

You need to contact the teaching section for this information or speak to them on enrolment day. This is normally done in the first class you attend for each subject.

Q. When do I find out about my timetable?

This is normally given to you on enrolment day, however teachers can usually give you an idea of the days and times of your classes before this. You may be able to change your pattern of study during the course. The teaching section will give you these details.

Q. When do I start my classes?

You will be given a timetable on the day that you enrol. Classes generally commence
in the second week of February for Semester 1 and in the third week of July for
Semester 2.

Q. Can I enrol at my closest Campus for a course at a different Campus?

No. You must enrol at the campus offering the course that you wish to study.

Q. The course I was hoping to enrol into has been cancelled what else can I get into?

You can speak to Course Information staff at a campus, look up course information on this web site, phone Course Information on 131 225 or if you are not sure what you would like to do, you can make an appointment with a counsellor at your nearest campus to discuss other options available to you.

Q. What happens if I do not have the money at the time of enrolment?

You need to let the teacher of your course know that you are unable to pay immediately. It is TAFE policy that you are not officially enrolled in the course until payment has been made and you must have finalised your enrolment by paying the administration charges (or receiving a fee exemption) before you can attend classes.

If you are not receiving a Centrelink benefit but are experiencing difficulties with payment, you may be able to apply for a student loan. Please speak to a staff member for further details.

Questions relating to Courses by Application

Q. What are Courses by Application?

These are courses which are considered high in demand and require you to lodge an application and be offered a place in the course before you can enrol. Students are selected based on the information they provide on the application form.

Q. Where can I get application forms?

Applications are available only during the application opening and closing dates listed in the table below.  During these dates you can get them from any TAFE campus, download them from this site or phone your local campus to have them mailed to you.

Q. When do TAFE applications open and close?

Remember, not all TAFE courses require you to apply before you can enrol.

Q. Can I still apply for courses after the closing date?

Late applications are only considerd if there are vacancies. Late applications will be sent direct to the teaching sections for action, but will only be assessed if there is a vacancy after all "on time applicants" have been considered. You will only be contacted if there are positions available, and this may not happen until about 2 weeks after classes have commenced.

Q. When will I hear if I'm in the course?

You should receive a letter in early January. The letter will advise you that you were either successful, unsuccessful or on standby.

If you are successful, the letter will tell you where and when you have to enrol. If unsuccessful, you can contact the teacher to discuss the reason.

If you are placed on standby, it normally indicates that the course is full and that you will be contacted should a vacancy become available.

Q. What documents should I bring in with me to enrol?

• Your offer letter
• Proof of benefit/most recent letter from Centrelink with date of grant if you wish to receive a fee exemption from the TAFENSW Fee
  (Health Care Card is NOT acceptable)
• Copies of results from previous studies
• HSC/SC results

Q. I didn't get into my first choice, why?

You will need to speak to the teaching section, they are responsible for the selection of applicants.

Q. Where am I on the standby list?

You will need to speak to the teaching section, they are responsible for the selection of applicants.

Questions relating to courses which require attendance at an Information or Selection Session before enrolment

Q. What is an Information or Selection Session?

For some courses, you may have to attend an information session so the teacher can discuss the course and study options with you, or to complete a questionnaire which can assist teaching staff to enrol you into the most suitable course.

A testing session may be conducted to assess your educational level to determine the level of course most suited to you or to allow you entry into a course.

Q. When do I have to come in for the information or testing session?

You must contact the campus where your course is offered, or the Course Information on 131 225 to find out the date, time and location of the information or testing session.

Q. What documents should I bring in with me to enrol?

• If you are receiving a Centrelink benefit - proof of benefit/most recent letter from Centrelink with date of grant if you wish to receive fee exemption or concession from the TAFENSW Fee.
  (Health Care Card is NOT acceptable)
• Copies of results from previous studies
• HSC/SC results
• Letter from employer if course requires it (ie Trade courses)

Q What happens during the information session?

You will receive information about the course you are wishing to enrol into. You may also be asked to fill out a questionnaire relating to your experience in the field of study.

In some instances you may be required to sit a short test (ie Pre-Trade/Pre-Apprenticeship courses require you to do a short maths and English test based at about Year 10 level)

Q. How long will the information session take?

This will depend on the course you are attending the session for and whether you will be enrolling straight after the session. If you require specific information, you should contact the teaching section.

Q. Do I enrol on the same day as the information/selection session?

In most cases you will enrol on the same day. If you are required to do an entrance test you may be contacted the following day with your result and asked to come in to enrol if you are successful, or you may be asked during the information session to phone and find out if you are successful and you will then be told when to come in to enrol.

Questions relating to courses by Direct Enrolment

Q. What is Direct Enrolment?

Direct Enrolment means that to enrol, all you do is attend the campus your course is offered on the designated enrolment days. Direct enrolments are usually between 1pm and 7pm on set enrolment days for each semester. You normally have a better chance of gaining a place in the course if you can come in at 1pm as some courses may fill up quickly depending on their popularity at the time.

Q. What documents should I bring in with me to enrol?

• If you are receiving a Centrelink benefit - proof of benefit/most recent letter from Centrelink with date of grant if you wish to receive a fee exemption or concession from the TAFENSW Fee.
  (Health Care Card is NOT acceptable)
• Copies of results from previous studies
• HSC/SC results
• Letter from employer if course requires it

Q. Where do I go to enrol?

You can either phone the campus before you come in and find out the building and room number or you can go the Administration Office at the campus who can direct you to the enrolment location on the day.

Q. I can't come in until 5.30 or 6pm, will I still be able to get into the course?

As enrolments are between the hours of 1pm and 7pm, if you can not come in until later, then you run the risk of not getting into the course of your choice. An option would be to ask a representative to come in for you with a signed Enrolment by Proxy Nomination Form. This form allows a person to enrol on your behalf.  Forms are available at all TAFE campuses.