When enrolling you are required to pay a tuition fee. Materials and consumable fees may also be required for some courses. Your enrolment is not valid until all these fees have been paid.
Tuition fees are calculated using an hourly rate multiplied by the course hours in any one year. The actual hourly rate varies for each course and is also dependent on whether you are eligible for a government subsidy or concession. Tuition fees are published on this website against the relevant course.
If you are an Indigenous student the relevant concession tuition fee applies - 20% of the standard fee for a student eligible for government-subsidised training under Skills First.
For concession card holders enrolling in a course (certificates I - IV), the relevant concession tuition fee applies - 20% of the standard fee for a student eligible for government-subsidised training under Skills First.
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment.
Generally, you are eligible for a government-subsidised training place if you are:
and are any of the following:
- under 20 years of age
- seeking to enrol in a Foundation Skills List course (and do not hold a Diploma or above qualification or are receiving core skills training in other sectors)
- seeking to enrol in VCE or VCAL
- seeking to enrol in an apprenticeship
- 20 years and older and ‘upskilling’ by seeking to enrol in a course at a higher level than your existing qualification
If you are enrolled at a school, you will not be able to receive a government-subsidised training place for a course through Skills First, unless you are undertaking the course as part of a School-Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship. The Government supports schools in other ways to offer vocational training to their students, so you should discuss all your options with your school.
To you check your eligibility click here.
You are eligible to commence a maximum of two government-subsidised courses at the same qualification level in your lifetime. This restriction applies whether or not you complete the courses. For example, this means if you have already commenced two government-subsidised courses at the Certificate III level, you may only commence government-subsidised courses at the Certificate IV level (or above).
This restriction does not apply to courses on the Foundation Skills List or to students recommencing training in the same qualification (at the same or a different provider).
In addition, eligible students can begin up to two government-subsidised courses in a year as long as you are not doing any more than two government-subsidised courses at a time.
If you are a vocational education student, you may be entitled to a concession on your fees if you are in a government funded place and you meet the eligibility criteria. In general, you are eligible if you have a valid concession card issued by Centrelink and presented at the time of enrolment. A card is deemed to be valid where the card start date is before or on your first scheduled class. You must present the original of your valid concession card when you enrol. If you have applied for, but not received, your concession card then you are permitted to present a letter from Centrelink called ‘Confirmation of Concession Card Entitlement’ that confirms you have submitted your application and been approved for your concession card. This letter from Centrelink must be presented at the time of your enrolment.
If your tuition fee concession application is successful, your concession fee will be charged at 20% of the government funded tuition rate for your program.
The eligibility criteria for a TAFE fee concession are set by the Victorian Government and assessed by the Institute in accordance with government directives. These eligibility criteria and directives are subject to change at any time.
Students are eligible for a TAFE fee concession if they:
Students are ineligible for a TAFE fee concession if they:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in a government funded place will continue to be eligible to access concession at all program levels (including diploma, advanced diploma, vocational graduate certificate and vocational graduate diploma programs).
Documentation required to support your application: if you have a valid Commonwealth Health Care, Pensioner or Veteran’s Gold card, the original or a certified copy of the relevant cards must be provided. If you do not have one of these cards, or your card is not valid, please select concession category – Aboriginal/ Torres Strait Islander without concession card, on the form.
Self-identification as Aboriginal/ Torres Strait Islander on the enrolment form is sufficient evidence of eligibility for the Indigenous Completions Initiative tuition fee concession.
You must apply (on your enrolment form) for fee concession with all supporting documentation prior to commencement of training (first scheduled class). No applications will be accepted after this date. Information on class start dates is available from your Teaching Department.
Please note: Submission of the fee concession request does not guarantee that a concession fee will be approved. You will be notified by the Institute if your application is unsuccessful and you are not eligible for a fee concession, in which case you will remain liable for full tuition fees if you do not withdraw from the program prior to your first class census date/or within 28 days of your first class, in the relevant term.
If you cannot present a valid and current concession card at your enrolment or before your classes start you will be charged the non-concession fee. Call 13 TAFE (8233) or visit a Customer Service Centre at your campus if you would like further information.
If you are not eligible for government-subsidised training you will pay the full fee listed on the respective course page. In addition you will need to pay the Student Services Fee of up to $200 and any applicable materials and consumables fees.
Payment of Fees
You can pay your fees by credit card over the phone or with cash, cheque, credit card or EFTPOS at a Customer Service Centre located at any of our campuses. If paying through the post, send your payment (please do not send cash) to Private Bag 299 Somerton VIC 3062. Cheques must be made payable to Bendigo Kangan Institute.
Fees in relation to Skills Recognition
Skills Recognition or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) means that skills, experience and knowledge you already have can be assessed for credit against a qualification. This can occur either before or after your enrolment.
A fee will apply for each application for Skills Recognition by students depending upon the selected course. Fees for skills recognition assessments are the same as the course tuition fees.
If you have already paid the tuition fee for the units being assessed for Skills Recognition, there is no further charge for a Skills Recognition application for those units or modules.
You can apply for Skills Recognition in whole units of competency or modules - not parts of units or modules.
Fee Refunds
Further Assistance: Centrelink Allowances for Students
Zero Tuition Fee Training - Skills First Youth Access Initiative
Skills First Youth Access Initiative is to support young people on Youth Justice Orders or Child Protection Orders, or who have been on Youth Justice Orders or Child Protection Orders and are not more than 22 year of age, to participate in education and training. The Institute will provide a tuition fee exemption to eligible students when presented with a validly endorsed referral form from either the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, the Department of Justice and Regulation, or a referring agency. For more information click here.
Are There Any Other Possible Charges?
Administrative Services | Fee/Cost |
| Replacement student ID card | $15 |
| Replacement Certificate (issued after 2000) | $40 |
| Replacement Statement of Attainment | $40 |
| Replacement Statement of Results | $0 |
| Archive search (all academic history requests issued prior to 2000)* | $50 |
| Replacement Certificates (issued prior to 2000)* | $100 |
| Refund Processing Fee | $80 |
| Short Course Refund Processing Fee** | $40 |
| Overseas Application Fee | $100 |
| Electrical Exam Resit Fee | $100 |
| Licencing Electrical Assessment Coaching Exam Resit Fee | $180 |
*All Academic history requests prior to 2000 will incur an Archive search fee in addition to the replacement document cost (if documentation is found). We are unable to provide records that are over 30 years old under the Public Records Act 1973, BKI is only required to keep student records for 30 years after the student has left the organisation.
**Short Course withdrawal applications submitted five business days or more prior to the scheduled start date of the short course are entitled to a refund of your enrolment fees less an administrative processing fee of $40.
Where Can I Obtain Further Information on Fees and Charges?
Contact the Customer Service Centre at any campus or call 13 TAFE (13 8233).