Victorian students have two great opportunities this year to reduce the cost of their study; the new JobTrainer initiative and the existing Free TAFE initiative. So which one is right for you?
Fees
FREE TAFE - If you’re an eligible Victorian student, and you choose to use your one Free TAFE course, you will not incur tuition fees. Material and resources fees still apply.
JOBTRAINER - Eligible Victorian students who are offered a place in a Free TAFE course will not incur tuition fees. Those offered a place in a non-Free TAFE course, will only be charged 20% of the standard course tuition fee. Material and resources fees still apply.
Timing
FREE TAFE - Currently available and is expected to continue until December 2022.
JOBTRAINER - Currently available and is expected to continue until December 2021.
Eligibility
FREE TAFE - The standard Skills First eligibility criteria apply to Free TAFE. Eligible Victorian students can access this initiative only once. Check the eligibility criteria here.
JOBTRAINER - A person can participate under JobTrainer if they are 17 to 24 years old when the course starts, or a job seeker of any age. Proof of age or evidence of job seeker status will be required. Students must not have commenced a full qualification under JobTrainer before.
Apprentices and trainees
FREE TAFE - Apprentices are not eligible for Free TAFE. Trainees are eligible for Free TAFE if the course is approved for delivery to trainees.
JOBTRAINER - Apprentices and school-based apprentices are not eligible for JobTrainer. Trainees completing a non-school-based JobTrainer traineeship are eligible - if they fulfil the age and/or jobseeker criteria.
Eligibility exemptions
FREE TAFE - The standard Skills First eligibility criteria apply to Free TAFE but the following exceptions are available for some courses; no upskilling requirement and no ‘two at level in a lifetime’ limit. Students can only enrol in one Free TAFE course. However, students who have used their JobTrainer entitlement can still enrol in one more Free TAFE course in the future.
JOBTRAINER - The standard Skills First eligibility criteria apply to JobTrainer but with two exceptions; no upskilling requirement and no ‘two at level in a lifetime’ limit. Students can only enrol in one course under JobTrainer. However, students who have previously used their Free TAFE entitlement can enrol in a second Free TAFE course under JobTrainer.
It is important to consider the timing of your course and whether you should use JobTrainer while it is available (expected to finish Dec 2021) or Free TAFE (expected to finish Dec 2022). Our Customer Service team can help establish the best option for you.
Availability
The Gordon has been allocated a set number of JobTrainer funded spots per course. Once these fill, we will not be able to offer the JobTrainer concession to students enrolling in these courses.
Applications
View the course list below and apply via the usual e-application form on the course page.
Contact us for more information
