Study at TAFE WA

TAFE Western Australia

A Vast Range of Courses

TAFE stands for Technical and Further Education and is a network of government owned colleges located across Perth and Western Australia.  TAFE Western Australia (WA) has over 100,000 Australian and 4500 international students studying a wide range of certificate and diploma courses.

In Australia, more people study at TAFE than university.  This is because TAFE courses are shorter, more practical, less expensive and closely linked to industry.  Most courses also include an on the job work placement component which ensures the student gains the practical skills and industry knowledge that employers are looking for. This is one of the reasons why TAFEWA is so popular for students interested in future employment and migration opportunities in Australia.

Our ten TAFEWA Colleges offer over 100 diploma courses in areas including Hospitality & Tourism, Commercial Cookery & Bakery, Business & Accounting, Art & Design, Beauty & Fashion, Nursing, Aged Care, Child Care, Community Welfare Work, Engineering, Computing & IT, Mass Comm & Multimedia, Health & Fitness, Horticulture, Commercial Pilot License Training, Animal Studies and English Language Courses.

Image For full details on all of our courses please visit our online Course Catalogue.
Image If you need a concise reference list of all of our courses and their fees, locations and intake dates you can refer to our TAFE Course List (PDF).
Image You can also download PDF copies of the 2009 International Course Guide as well as PDF copies of our major subject areas from our TAFE Downloads section. > Course Guide PDFs.

Why Choose Us?

Flexible Starting Points and Packaged Programs

One of the reasons TAFEWA is so popular is that we have flexible starting points and pathways that suit each individual. For example, if you've only finished 11 years of school or 'O' levels, you might begin by doing a Certificate III. Or if you've finished 12 years of school or 'A' levels you may start at the Diploma level or Associate Degree. If your English needs improving before you start, you can begin by studying one of our intensive English language programs.

We can organise complete study packages to meet your needs. This may include English studies followed by a TAFE diploma and then directly into the second year of a university bachelor degree. We'll arrange the timing so that you can smoothly move from one to the other and enable you to apply for a student visa for the entire package.

Employment Opportunities

Western Australia is Australia's fastest growing state and strongest economy. This strong economy has resulted in an extremely low unemployment rate of 4% and a shortage of skilled labour. Therefore there are plenty of job opportunities for people with practical skills like those gained in our TAFE Certificate & Diploma courses. All students are legally allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during semester and as much as they want during holiday periods.

Because of the booming economy and severe labour shortage the minimum wage for most unskilled jobs in Perth is approximately $A17 per hour. Therefore TAFEWA students are able to cover most (if not all) of their living costs through part-time employment.

Government Owned and Quality Assured

Our TAFEWA Colleges are all owned, funded and operated by the Western Australian Government. All of our programs, curriculum and teaching methods are accredited and regularly assessed to maintain the highest standards. TAFEWA is easily the largest provider of post-secondary education in the State and has provided quality training for over 100 years.

See What our Students Say

Don't take our word for it, you can read testimonials and profiles from dozens of our past and current students.
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Employment Focused Study Pathway

All TAFE courses are designed in partnership with industry to ensure training programs meet the needs of employers. Hence, TAFE courses involve more "hands on" activities and practical experience than university. These activities include workshops and projects as well as job placement in actual workplaces.

In each TAFE program area there are multiple qualification levels (cert III, diploma etc). Each qualification level represents a combination of skills that enable the graduate to perform various job-related tasks at a certain standard.

From lowest to highest, the qualification levels are: Certificate I > Certificate II > Certificate III > Certificate IV > Diploma > Advanced Diploma > Associate Degree. Certificates I - III normally take about 6 months each to complete. Certificate IV is usually 12 months. The Diploma and Advanced Diploma take 6-12 months to complete.

The diagram below explains how School, TAFE and University are connected and the pathways between them. If you've completed 10 or 11 years of school, you'll normally begin at Certificate II or III level. If you've completed 12 years of school, you'll start at Certificate IV or Diploma level.

All TAFEWA programs require a minimum level of English proficiency (equivalent to an IELTS academic version of 5.5 with no band below 5). Students who need to improve their English can package an English course onto the front end of their TAFEWA Certificate or Diploma program.

tafe_pathways


Not just Sitting in a Classroom

TAFEWA courses are flexibly designed and delivered to offer students the best combination of learning and practical experience. Classroom teaching is mixed with “hands-on” activities, using modern equipment to perform actual job tasks, employer and off-campus visits, work placements and various other forms of course delivery.

Work While you Study

International students are eligible to work up to 20 hours/week during their studies and full-time during holidays. All TAFEWA courses involve job-like training and many include work experience and job placements. Combined with Western Australia's strong economy, this close connection with employers means that our international students interested in doing part-time work are readily able to find work in their fields. Upon graduation, this can lead to full-time work with employers who already know what you can do. Due to Perth's strong economy and labour shortage many of our graduates are being sponsored by local Perth companies and allowed to stay.


University Pathways

TAFEWA as a Pathway into Second and Third Year University

TAFEWA is an extremely popular pathway to university - both for Australian and international students. It offers the chance to obtain practical training and TAFE qualifications while at the same time meeting university degree entry requirements.

All our TAFEWA program areas offer Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Associate Degree qualifications that can be used for admission into relevant university degrees. Often directly into the second or third year of the university degree program.

Special Fast-track Pathways

Specially-designed fast-track pathways to university are available in Mass Communication, IT Software Development and Commerce. These allow our TAFEWA students to complete a one year diploma and progress directly into the second year of a university bachelor degree program. TAFEWA has developed a suite of Associate Degree programs in partnership wtih Murdoch University. The two year Associate Degree is conducted at TAFEWA while the final year of the Bachelor of Commerce degree program is offered at Murdoch University.  This is an excellent package as it provides the students with two qualifications, practical training along with academic study and all at a much lower cost than a standard three year university degree program. 


Services and Support

Individual Study Advice

Our student advisors are available to assist prospective international students and provide individual guidance on the most suitable programs and pathways to get them to their desired outcome. This ensures that your application is for the program/package that best suits your objectives.

Assistance with Applications & Visas

We can either directly provide help (or refer you to one of our overseas representatives) for all application and immigration processes. This website also provides the information you need to successfully enrol your child and make all necessary arrangements.

Airport Pickup and Transfer

We can arrange for students to be met on arrival at Perth International Airport and transported to pre-arranged or temporary accommodation. There is a charge of A$85 for this service.

College Orientations

There are special orientations for international students at each of our TAFEWA Colleges at the beginning of each semester. This is an opportunity to meet your International Student Coordinators and introduce you to Western Australia and the College. At orientation students receive their class timetable, health insurance card and a concession card which provides students with a 40% discount on all trains, buses and ferries.

Student Services

Once studying here, student support is available through each College's International Centre or ETI's student service centre in Perth city.

These support services include:
  • Immigration and visa advice
  • Medical insurance and healthcare access
  • Confidential, personal counselling and family liaison
  • Banking, financial and taxation matters
  • Concession cards and student offers
  • Guardian and care arrangements for those under 18
  • Information on events of interest and organised activities
  • Social and recreation programs
  • Learning & academic advice

Student Visa Immigration Requirements

Full-time Study

International students in Australia are required to be enrolled in full-time study (an average of at least 20 contact hours per week). Therefore, courses cannot be studied part-time - except, if necessary, when completing the last few units of a course.

Guardianship Arrangements

International students under 18 are required by law to live with a parent, approved family member or guardian. We are able to provide guardianship through homestay arrangements with approved Australian families.

Attendance

It is a national government requirement that all international students attend classes, otherwise their visa is cancelled. Attendance at all of our colleges is accurately monitored and recorded.

Overseas Student Health Cover

Students from overseas are required to take out Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their stay, prior to entering Australia. OSHC is a special health cover that provides medical and hospital insurance for overseas students. The current charge is A$348 per year. This health cover is arranged by us as part of the enrolment process.

Accommodation

Homestay

A homestay is where the student lives with an approved Australian family who looks after them just as any parent or guardian might. These students normally improve their English very quickly and become familiar and comfortable with the Australian lifestyle. The family provides meals and assists students with their everyday needs such as laundry and cleaning.  Homestay fees are A$220 per week if you are 18 and over and A$240 per week if you are under 18. There is also a $A180 placement fee. Education and Training International uses Talkabout Tours to manage our airport pickup and homestay arrangements.  For a full description of their services and fees as well as the relevant application forms please go to their website at http://www.talkabouttours.com and click on the homestay tab.

Apartments & Houses

Many of our students over 18 who are more independent or have friends here choose to rent either single or shared apartments or houses. These students are completely free to look after themselves and do not receive supervision. Advice is available on tenancy arrangements and other rental matters. In Perth most 3-4 bedroom apartments and houses are renting for A$350 to A$380 per week. Most students share these at a cost of approximately A$120 each.

It is recommended that students book temporary hotel or hostel accommodation in Perth for their initial arrival. A one week booking is recommended. There are many inexpensive hostels located across Perth. To find out more details on the locations, costs and facilities of these hostels please visit the hostels website. During their first week in Perth the student can meet with the International Student Counsellor at their college and that person will assist them with identifying suitable permanent apartment accommodation located in one of the suburbs near the college. Because we have hundreds of students arriving at the start of each semester it is common for several students to decide to share an apartment together which is a significant cost saving. Alternatively students can visit the Real Estate Institute of WA which lists the details of all the rental accommodation that is available in each suburb.

About Perth and W.A.

Over 25,000 international students choose to study in Perth and Western Australia each year, thanks to its friendly and relaxed lifestyle, wonderful climate, booming economy and excellent work opportunities. Its a very popular study destination, but also attracts many visitors and migrants too.

To find out all about its environment, attractions, lifestyle and much more please see our section:  About Perth & Western Australia

Application and Costs

Fees & Charges

There is no application fee. First you apply and receive your letter of offer. Once you have decided to accept you pay your first six months course fees and overseas student health insurance. Most of our TAFEWA courses have fees of between A$5,000 to A$6,750 per semester. Overseas student health cover is A$348 per year. Once you have paid this to ETI your enrolment is secured and you can submit your student visa paperwork to the nearest Australian High Commission.

Courses requiring special material or equipment may have additional costs that are payable to the College when you start.