Considering studying TAFE but have questions? Learn more.
CDU TAFE
CDU TAFE offers a range of TAFE courses, including certificates, diplomas and apprenticeships. Fees will vary depending on the course and your eligibility for government-subsidised training. Some courses may have free tuition fees under the Government's free TAFE initiative.
Types of fees
- NT Government (NTG) supported places
- Credit transfer fees
- RPL fees
NT Government supported places
If you're a domestic student living in the NT, you may be eligible for an NTG subsidised place. This means that the NT Government subsidise your course by paying part of your fees directly to your course provider. You will then need to pay the remainder of the fees through a student contribution known as the tuition fee.
Domestic students living in the NT are eligible for enrolment in NTG subsidised places. As well as meeting domestic student and NT residency requirements, to be eligible for a subsidised place, you must:
- be at least 15 years of age
- be identified as disengaged from school
- have the skills and capabilities to undertake training and actively engage in employment or be able to provide evidence of having completed year 10.
Domestic secondary school students are eligible for specific NTG subsidised places under the VET for Secondary Students (VSS) program.
Students will need to maintain eligibility throughout their course to continue to access the NTG subsidy. NTG subsidised places are limited, and CDU cannot guarantee you access to an NTG subsidised place.
Tuition fees for CDU TAFE Courses are generally set by the award type. In 2024 the fees per hour are:
| $3.70 | Certificate I, Certificate II, Certificate III and Certificate IV |
| $4.00 | Diploma |
To find out more about eligibility for NTG subsidised places, visit the Department of Trade, Business and Innovations policies page.
Students exempt from CDU TAFE tuition fees*
- enrolled secondary school students
- NTG Community Response Funded Program students
- students who at the time of enrolment receive a Centrelink or Veteran's Affairs benefit
- NTG Remote 2 Location categories for CDU TAFE Funded Programs
- students who are prisoners at the time of enrolment
- permanent residents with refugee or humanitarian status.
*An exemption applies to CDU TAFE tuition fees for NTG subsidised courses only. To claim the fee exemption, a student must provide valid proof of concession at the time of enrolment, or fees will be charged.
Contact Student Central to find out more about exemptions and how to apply.
Credit transfer fees
There is no charge for credit transfers. As a Registered Training Organisation, CDU recognises the Australian Quality Framework Qualification and Statements of Attainment issued by other Australian Registered Training Organisations
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) fees
For candidates undertaking the RPL process, a $295.00 administration fee applies for each completed RPL application submitted, and no fee exemption will apply. This fee is non-refundable and does not guarantee that you will be granted the qualification or unit/s you seek RPL for. If a potential RPL candidate wishes to apply for more than one qualification, a separate VET121 - RPL Application Form must be submitted, and an additional application fee will apply.
An RPL candidate will be enrolled once they are approved. Fees associated with the RPL assessment for 2024 are:
- for NT residents applying for NTG subsidised qualification there is no fee for 2024
- for non-NTG subsidised training or non-NT residents, a flat rate fee of $5.50 per nominal hour applies for each unit
- for international visa holders (non-student visa holders or holders who qualify for NTG subsidised training), a flat rate of $5.50 per nominal hour applies for each unit.
To find out more information, please visit cdu.edu.au/student-central/forms-guides.
Types of fee exemptions
An exemption applies to CDU TAFE tuition fees for NTG subsidised courses only.
Centrelink or Veteran's Affairs Benefit
At the time of enrolment, students who receive a Centrelink or Veteran's Affairs payment will be exempt from paying tuition fees.
Secondary school students
At the time of enrolment, secondary school students will receive a tuition fee exemption by providing details of their secondary school on the CDU TAFE enrolment form.
Humanitarian or Refugee Visa Holders
Individuals holding a Permanent Resident Visa (Humanitarian) or a Permanent Resident Visa (Refugee) are exempt from tuition fees.
Remote 2 Location
You may be eligible for a fee exemption if your course is delivered in a location listed on the NTG's Location Categories for VET funded programs as 'Remote 2' for the location category.
Please note: students who have their full course content delivered externally are not eligible for the Remote 2 Location tuition fee exemption
VET student loans
A VET Student Loan helps cover your tuition fees for selected Diploma courses as a domestic student.
Applying for a fee exemption
You will need to attach documents for your fee exemption when you fill out the CDU TAFE enrolment form.
If you don't submit your documents at the same time, you will need to complete an exemption from tuition fees form. In this case, your exemption will apply from the start of the teaching period that the form was submitted.
TAFE103 - Exemption from TAFE Tuition fees
The forms are suitable for:
- Apprentices and trainees
- Domestic, permanent resident & non-student visa holder
- International student visa holder
Enrolment and Fee Advice schedule
| Teaching Period | Certificate I-IV Tuition | Diploma and Advanced Diploma Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Full year 2024 | 14 days from invoice date | 14 days from invoice date |
CDU TAFE/VET fees for international students
Please see below regarding TAFE fees for international students.
More information about international student fees can be found by visiting make your studies compliant.