Fee-Free TAFE

Fee-Free TAFE is intended for new students to the course being offered. To be eligible for Fee-Free TAFE you must meet the eligibility criteria as well as the entry requirements for the course.

Fee-Free TAFE covers course tuition fees only; this is the indicative course cost listed on the CIT course webpage. It does not cover the cost for any learning resources such as textbooks or other equipment required for the course.

Prospective Fee-Free TAFE students at CIT have six key steps:

No, prospective Fee-Free TAFE students are encouraged to focus on one Fee-Free TAFE course at a time, with the view to building their knowledge and skills and then progressing to the next qualification, if desired.

For example, the short course in Networking and Web Development can be undertaken in one semester and provides all relevant technical skills and knowledge to allow students to undertake the Certificate IV in Information Technology or Certificate IV in Cyber Security. All three of these courses are on the Fee-Free TAFE course list.

Fee-Free TAFE places in 2024-2026 are limited to 600 each semester.

Fee-Free TAFE is intended for new course enrolments; however, you do not need to be new to CIT.

Attend an information session to speak to teachers about the course. Find an information session here: https://cit.edu.au/study/information_sessions.

No, each time you intend to study a Fee-Free TAFE course you will need to apply for the specific course via the Fee-Free TAFE application process.
This is because:

- Fee-Free TAFE in 2023 had different eligibility criteria to the extension of Fee-Free TAFE from 2024
- different course areas and course types may have different Fee-Free TAFE eligibility
- over time, your circumstances may change that may also change your type of Fee-Free TAFE eligibility assessment status
- not all Fee-Free TAFE courses are available each semester and intakes may fill when applications and enrolments open.

No, Fee-Free TAFE students have their course fees covered over continuous semesters, and if applicable years of study. Students must commence and engage in learning each semester to retain their Fee-Free TAFE place. Continuing Fee-Free TAFE students are responsible for re-enrolling each semester.

As a CIT Fee-Free TAFE student you can re-enrol once into a unit/subject where you have not successfully passed the unit/subject the first time. Any additional re-enrolment into unit/subject will incur fees.

If you withdraw in full from a Fee-Free TAFE course you will forfeit the fee free place. A condition of the Fee-Free TAFE Initiative is that you must remain engaged in your study. If you disengage from study without any communication for more than 90 days, you will also forfeit the fee free place. If you forfeit the fee free place you can still complete the course however fees will apply.

Yes, a student aged between 17-24 years who has fulfilled the requirements of the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate, including all assessments early in the calendar year can apply for Fee-Free TAFE. You will need a letter from your college or school advising you have completed all academic requirements to achieve the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate. Please note that address and citizenship eligibility also apply.

Fee-Free TAFE is a pathway for school leavers, it is not an alternative to completing Year 12 at college or school. However, if you are studying the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate Abridged (Mature) Package at CIT and wish to combine it with a Fee-Free TAFE course to improve your job-ready skills, you may be eligible to apply for a Fee-Free TAFE course. Please note that all CIT courses have literacy and numeracy requirements and you will be required to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy quiz. Address and citizenship eligibility also apply.

Fee-Free TAFE is a national program offered in each Australian state and territory, visit the Australian Government's website to [find the TAFE in your state or territory].