Why study with TAFE Western Australia?
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Government owned and operated
- TAFE Western Australia offers high quality nationally recognised courses. TAFE Western Australia is government backed and guaranteed
Practical Workplace skills
- TAFE Western Australia qualifications provide you with practical skills and industry training that gives you skills employers need
Pathways
- Western Australian TAFE Institutes offer programs that have flexible entry requirements and provide opportunities for further study at university
Value for Money
- You will receive high quality training and support at an affordable cost
Multiple Locations
- TAFE Western Australia has campuses throughout metropolitan Perth and regional Western Australia
For full details on all of our courses and fees please see the online TAFE Course Catalogue.
Flexible Starting Points and Packaged Programs
One of the reasons TAFE 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.
Employment Opportunities
Western Australia is Australia's fastest growing state and strongest economy. This strong economy has resulted in a low unemployment rate of 4% and a shortage of skilled labour across many industries. 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.
See What our Students Say
Don't take our word for it, you can read testimonials and profiles from past and current students.
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 work experience placement.
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. Each qualification normally takes about 6 months to complete. Therefore an advanced diploma program is generally a two year course.
The diagram 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 TAFE 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 TAFE Certificate or Diploma program.
Not just Sitting in a Classroom
TAFE 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
On a student visa, you can work up to 40 hours per fortnight during the semester once you have commenced your course. You can work unlimited hours when the course is not in session ie. during scheduled semester breaks.
University Pathways
TAFE as a Pathway into Second and Third Year University
TAFE 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.
Specially-designed fast-track pathways to university are available. These allow our TAFE students to complete a one year diploma and progress directly into the second year of a university bachelor degree program. TAFE has also developed a suite of Associate Degree programs in partnership wtih Murdoch University. The two year Associate Degree is conducted at TAFE 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$90 for this service.
College Orientation Program
There are special orientations for international students at each of our TAFE 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 information
- 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 subjects 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. Overseas student health cover is A$463 (single policy, prices subject to change) per year. This health cover is arranged by us as part of the enrolment process.
Accommodation
TAFE WA Institutes within the Perth metropolitan area do not offer on-campus accommodation. There is oncampus accommodation at some regional campuses.
If studying at a metropolitan Institute we recommend that you book temporary accommodation for the first few weeks or homestay accommodation for the first monthafter arrival.
This will allow you time to make longer-term accommodation decisions. To book homestay accommodation please contact our accommodation provider Australian Homestay Network (AHN) at www.homestaynetwork.org
Temporary accommodation
You can choose backpacker hostels from $30 per night or budget hotels from $100 per night. There is a range of temporary accommodation offered in Perth, which you can search for through the internet and book online.
Homestay
Homestay involves students living with an Australian family. This is very popular because you can make Australian friends, embrace the Australian lifestyle and improve your English. Homestay costs between $245 – $275 per week depending on age and level of service. There is also a homestay placement fee of $220. Bookings must be made at least two weeks in advance. Late bookings will incur additional fees.
Homestay options are:
- Full service – $275 – $285 per week, includes 3 meals per day.
- Half service – $255 –$265 per week, includes 2 meals per day.
The fee also includes laundry, snacks, electricity and gas. For more information about homestay and to make a booking contact Australian Homestay Network (AHN) atwww.homestaynetwork.org
Underage students
All applicants can study at TAFE in the calendar year they are turning 18. Whilst a student is under the age of 18 they are required to have a local guardian. If the student intends to live with a relative in Perth the relative can nominate to be the guardian.
If the student does not nominate a relative, then ETI requires students to live in homestay accommodation organised by AHN. Once this accommodation is arranged, ETI will issue the welfare letter (CAAW) and act
as the local guardian for the student.
Rental accommodation
Many students choose to rent an apartment or house with other students. A typical four-bedroom house in Perth is currently renting at around $400 per week. A two-bedroom apartment rents for $300 – $350 per week.
Students who are sharing these costs need to budget for around $150 per week to cover their share of the rent plus electricity and gas. For more information on available rentals please visit the following real estate websites:
www.reiwa.com.au or www.realestate.com.au
Airport pickup
Airport pickup can be arranged at a cost of $90, students will be taken directly to their homestay family or temporary accommodation. Please contact AHN (www.homestaynetwork.org) to organise this
service.
A taxi from the airport to central Perth costs approximately $50. An airport bus ($20) is also available and can drop passengers at central city hotels.
Getting started
Students should arrive in Perth with at least $1,000 and have access to another $2,000 during their first few weeks for expenses associated with organising housing. Funds may be needed to pay bond on
rental accommodation or for other services.
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 TAFE courses have fees of between A$5,250 to A$6,750 per semester. 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. For a full description of our courses and fees please visit our online TAFE Course Catalogue.
Student: Shaked Juran - Israel
