How to apply for a TAFE course

In this guide, we explain how you can apply for a TAFE course. 

We also explain:

• support available to choose your course
• what you need to do before you apply. 

TAFE NSW has lots of courses you can study.

You can learn more about TAFE NSW courses by visiting the TAFE NSW courses page on the TAFE NSW website. 

You can meet with TAFE NSW in person to talk about courses you can study.

You can find a TAFE NSW near you in the Locations page on the TAFE NSW website.

You will need to call them to make an appointment.

You can also call TAFE NSW to learn about their courses.

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When you call TAFE NSW, they will ask you to choose between different options.

First, you need to choose option 5.

Then you need to choose option 2.

TAFE NSW can also support you if you need information in a language other than English.

You can find out more about supporting people in languages other than English page on the TAFE NSW website. 

Before you apply for a TAFE course, you need to check if you have a Unique Student Identifier (USI).

A USI is a number you get when you apply to take part in further education, like TAFE.

It helps the people who work at the TAFE know who you are.

You will already have a USI if you have studied a TAFE course before. 

You need to use this number when you apply for another TAFE course.

If you can’t remember your USI, you can find out in the Find your USI page on the USI website.

If you need to get a USI, you can apply on the USI website.

Before you apply for a TAFE course, you need to decide where you will study.

You can find the different locations on the page about your course.

For example, the course might say ‘TAFE Digital’.

This means you can study that course online from anywhere in Australia. 

Before you apply for a TAFE course, you need to find out how much it will cost.

You can find this information on the page about your course. 

You might be able to pay less for your course if you meet certain rules.

You can learn more about these rules in the Fees for your course page on the TAFE NSW website.

After you choose your TAFE course and where you want to study, there will be a button you can select.

The button might say:

• ‘Enrolment open’

• ‘Application required’

• 'Register your interest’

• 'Waitlist open’.

We explain what these mean below.

‘Enrolment open’ means you can sign up for the TAFE course now.

When you select this button, you need to follow the steps to sign up. 

You will also need to pay for the TAFE course.

Or you will need to prove that you meet our rules for people who don’t need to pay for the TAFE course.

‘Application required’ means there are some rules about who can study this TAFE course.

For example, you might need to study another course first.

TAFE NSW need to check that you meet these rules before you can join the TAFE course.

You can find these rules on the page about your course.

When you select this button, you need to:

• follow the steps to apply
• give proof that you meet the rules. 

TAFE NSW will let you know if you can join the TAFE course. 

Then you can pay for the TAFE course.

Or you will need to confirm that you meet TAFE NSW’s rules for people who don’t need to pay for the TAFE course.

‘Register your interest’ means you are telling TAFE NSW you want to study this TAFE course. 

They might need to talk to you before you apply to make sure the TAFE course is right for you. 

Or they might not be running the TAFE course right now.

TAFE NSW will contact you to let you know. 

‘Waitlist open’ means the TAFE course is already full.

You can select this button to go onto a list of people who are waiting to apply.

TAFE NSW will contact you if you are able to join the TAFE course.

They will also talk to you about what you can do if the TAFE course stays full. 

TAFE NSW have different rules for students from other countries who want to study in Australia.

You might need to apply in a different way.

You can find out more in the How to apply as an international student page on the TAFE NSW website.

Your visa could affect how you apply to take part in a TAFE course.

A visa is a document that says you can go to another country for a certain amount of time.

This might be to:

• travel
• work
• study.

You can find out more in the Temporary visa holders page on the TAFE NSW website.