TAFE FAQs

When enrolling in a CQUniversity TAFE certificate or diploma course you only need to pay the tuition cost for the units in which you are enrolled. This means the full course cost does not need to be paid for in advance. Payment plans are available for eligible applicants, call 13 27 86 for details.

There may be other ancillary costs associated with your study, and these vary depending upon the course you are undertaking. These costs may include course specific materials, clothing, tools, textbooks or administrative fees such as replacement student cards.

Many CQUni TAFE diplomas will give eligible students up to a year’s credit towards a bachelor’s degree. Visit our Credit Calculator for more information.

The TAFE Academic Calendar sets out important dates for you to know including the start date of each intake and also the last day for you to add subjects each study intake. You can view the current TAFE Academic Calendar.  

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible prior to the commencement of the TAFE course intake. An early application will increase your opportunity to secure a place in the course and allow time to prepare for your studies. Check the important application dates page for details.

The Certificate 3 Guarantee requires a contribution by either the student, an employer, or a third party unrelated to CQUniversity. The amount of the contribution varies depending upon the course. To ensure TAFE training is affordable, with CQUniversity TAFE you only need to pay for the units you are about to commence. Eligibility will be formally assessed upon submitting your course application. For more information visit Certificate 3 Guarantee page.

VET Student Loans is an Australian Government loan scheme available to eligible applicants for most of the TAFE diplomas offered by CQUniversity. VET Student Loans are to assist with tuition fees, and cannot be used for other study-related costs such as accommodation or textbook. For eligibility, courses and other details visit TAFE Diploma and VET Student Loans. A VET Student Loan gives rise to a HELP debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is paid.

Timetable information is available on the CQUni Handbook for enrolled students.

BKSB (Basic Key Skills Builder) is a pre-enrolment literacy and numeracy assessment tool for TAFE students. This literacy and numeracy assessment is known as the Initial Assessment and provides prospective students and overall ACSF Level (1-5) in both Maths and English.

CQUniversity use this tool to ascertain you have the necessary skills to succeed in your chosen course. The bksb will highlight any areas where you may require extra support from CQUniversity. The BKSB is also required as part of the VET Student Loans application process.

Once your application for enrolment has been submitted, CQUniversity will email you a link to complete the BKSB.

There are several Government subsidies that may reduce the price of your chosen course. Eligibility will apply, and this varies depending upon the specific subsidy. These subsidies, if you are eligible, apply regardless of your income. For further information visit our TAFE Subsidised Training page.

A concession price will provide a further reduction in course fees. To be eligible you must meet one of the following criteria:

• do you have or be listed on an Australian Government Low Income Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card

Or

• hold a Department of Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession Card

Or

• if you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander

Or

• if you have a disability

A CQUniversity course is a great pathway to further study. In many instances our certificate courses provide credit into other certificate courses, and a CQUniversity TAFE diploma may provide up to a year’s credit towards a bachelor’s degree. Current High School students may also be eligible to start their tertiary education with our Start TAFE Now program. For more pathways information and options visit cqu.edu.au/pathways.

This will depend on the course level, full time or part time, the type of course and how the course is undertaken. An approximate guide would be 4-6 hours a week in addition to class time. Other considerations are whether a placement or residential school is required.

Planning your time is as important as the time you take to study. By planning your time and priorities you can stay on track and not get behind. CQUniversity provides planning tools to assist with your preparation through Handbook.

HEPPP-Funded Scholarships and Bursaries:

• Targets students from in regional and remote Australia, low socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds, and Indigenous persons with expenses associated with undergraduate study.

Dare to be Deadly Scholarships:

• Targets Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with expenses associated with higher education.

Donor-Funded Scholarships:

• Targets specific students based on the individual Donor Scholarship eligibility criteria.

Other featured Scholarships:

• External Scholarships
• Research Scholarships
• Destination Australia Scholarships
• International Scholarships

We encourage you to review the available scholarships listed on our webpage to see what you may be eligible for. 

Each scholarship listed will advise which application form you are required to complete. 

Any CQUniversity student who completes a qualification above a Certificate I can apply to graduate at any one of our graduation ceremonies across any of our locations. Those who have completed a short course, either accredited or non-accredited, are not eligible to attend.