If after reading these questions and answers you are still uncertain about any aspect of your application, contact your nearest TAFEWA college information centre or the Career Development Centre.
How do I apply for a full-time place at TAFEWA?
How can I improve my chances of getting a place in a TAFEWA course?
How do the selection criteria work?
What sort of work experience will help me get points?
Is there a fee to apply for TAFEWA?
When do applications close?
When do I find out if I am accepted?
How much does it cost to study at TAFEWA?
Will I be able to get any financial assistance?
How many hours will I have to go to TAFEWA each week?
What is the average class size at TAFEWA?
Is work experience part of TAFEWA courses?
Will I have to wear a uniform?
What’s the difference between TAFEWA and university courses?
How do TAFEWA and university fees compare?
Which courses should I apply for?
What should I do if I am absent from my address when an offer is made?
Can I change my preferences?
Can I reject my first preference offer?
Can I withdraw my application if necessary?
What should I do if I change my address?
How can I apply for TAFEWA with qualifications obtained overseas?
How can I prove my English proficiency?
What method of payment may I use?
I’m already studying at TAFEWA – what do I do?
Where can I go to get more information?
How do I find out about qualifications available at the WA Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA)?
Is there accommodation available at TAFEWA?
How do I apply for a full-time place at TAFEWA? Top of Page
The easiest way to apply is through the online application facility.
Paper application forms are available from schools (if you are a school student), the Career Development Centre, the TAFEWA Admissions Centre or you nearest TAFEWA college.
If you are completing Year 12, you will be able to login to this website and access a personalised online application form in August.
How can I improve my chances of getting a place in a TAFEWA course? Top of Page
Firstly, choose the course you want to study carefully. You will need to meet the entrance requirements for the course. For some courses you may need to submit a portfolio, eg Arts and Multimedia. There are also courses not recommended for people just leaving school either because of few job opportunities for young people or because you need specific skills gained through lower level courses.
Secondly, if the course you choose to apply for is deemed to have competitive entry, you will need to provide evidence that you meet the selection criteria. Competitive entry courses are those where there are more people applying than there are places available. In these instances, people with the highest score against the selection criteria are offered the available places.
How do the selection criteria work? Top of Page
For detailed information on selection criteria and how points are allocated, go to selection criteria.
What sort of work experience will help me get points? Top of Page
Most work experience counts including full-time, part-time, paid or unpaid experience. Points will be awarded on the basis of length of time you were working. This may be work experience organised through your school or casual work you do to earn extra money while at school such as working at the local supermarket or fast food store. You must however, provide proof of your work experience such as a reference, pay slip or group certificate and complete the workplace experience section of the application form.
Is there a fee to apply for TAFEWA? Top of Page
Some fees may be payable when you apply for TAFEWA. For more information see the fees and charges information.
When do applications close? Top of Page
Refer to key dates section of this site.
When do I find out if I am accepted? Top of Page
Refer to key dates section of this site.
How much does it cost to study at TAFEWA? Top of Page
Refer to the fees and charges section of this site for information on the costs of studying at TAFEWA.
Will I be able to get any financial assistance? Top of Page
Refer to the get financial assistance section of this site.
How many hours will I have to go to TAFEWA each week? Top of Page
A full-time workload is approximately 16 to 20 hours each week although this may be more with fast track courses. Hours per day vary and you will not have to attend all day, every day. There may be days when you do not have to attend the campus at all but you will have to do extra study by yourself to succeed in the course.
What is the average class size at TAFEWA? Top of Page
The average class is between 15 and 20 students.
Is work experience part of TAFEWA courses? Top of Page
Many TAFEWA courses have a work experience component.
Will I have to wear a uniform? Top of Page
Not usually, unless it is part of the job requirements or protective clothing is needed for practical classes.
What’s the difference between TAFEWA and university courses? Top of Page
TAFEWA offers certificate, diploma and advanced diploma courses which can vary in length of study from six months to three years. Courses are very practical and tailored to job requirements. Universities usually offer degree courses which take three or more years and usually contain much more theory than TAFEWA courses. Some TAFEWA graduates later go on to university and many university graduates go to TAFEWA to gain more practical skills to help them get a job.
How do TAFEWA and university fees compare? Top of Page
University fees are between $3,000 and $8,000 a year depending on the course. However, you can defer payment of the fees until you commence work. This is known as a HECS fee. TAFEWA fees are between $800 and $1,500 a year and must be paid either at the beginning of the semester or the year of study. Fee information will be available before you enrol.
Which courses should I apply for? Top of Page
Firstly, it is important to work out which courses interest you. Course search contains details on all full-time TAFEWA courses offered at TAFEWA colleges. If you are still not sure which courses to apply for, see your school careers advisor, the Career Development Centre or a TAFEWA college information centre for more information.
You should apply for more than one level of a course if there is any doubt about your competitiveness. For instance, if you wish to apply for the Diploma of Business it is a good idea to also apply for a similar course at a lower level such as the Certificate II in Business. Aim high, but be realistic. Applying in this way will give you the best chance of being offered a place.
What should I do if I am absent from my address when an offer is made? Top of Page
If you are planning to be away during January (the time when offers are sent out) you must arrange for someone to act on your behalf. This person should check your mail on and after the offer dates and may enrol for you provided you give them written permission to do so.
Can I change my preferences? Top of Page
1st semester intake
Yes. However rules do apply. Refer to key dates of this site.
2nd semester intake
Yes. However rules do apply. Refer to key dates of this site.
Can I reject my first preference offer? Top of Page
No, this is the best offer you will receive. If you receive your first preference in the first round of offers, you are unable to reject this offer. If you do not accept your first preference offer, your application will not be considered for any further offers by the TAFEWA Admissions Centre.
Can I withdraw my application if necessary? Top of Page
Yes you can. However, if you withdraw your application you will not receive any offers and it is not possible to claim a refund of any application fees paid.
To withdraw your application you can either:
- - fill out the withdrawal form and send it to the TAFEWA Admissions Centre; or
- - contact the TAFEWA Admissions Centre.
What should I do if I change my address? Top of Page
Notify the TAFEWA Admissions Centre immediately. If you don’t do this, you may not receive your offer and might miss out on a place. You can change your address online through the online application facility.
How can I apply for TAFEWA with qualifications obtained overseas? Top of Page
Follow these six steps:
- 1 Fill out the application form following the step by step instructions (or apply online).
2 Have your overseas courses translated into English if necessary.
3 Photocopy the translation and make sure it shows your grades as well as the institution’s marking scheme.
4 Obtain an equivalence statement which converts your results to Western Australian courses. These are available from the Curriculum Council (secondary school equivalence) who you can contact on telephone (08) 9273 6300 or the Overseas Qualifications Unit (post secondary school equivalence) who you can contact on telephone (08) 9224 6566. Both offices charge a fee for this service.
5 Ensure that TAFEWA English proficiency requirements are met (see next question).
6 Enclose photocopies of all relevant documents with your application.
Note: Unless translations and equivalence statements are provided, your courses will NOT be taken into account as part of your application.
How can I prove my English proficiency? Top of Page
If you have no proof of English proficiency obtained in an English speaking country, the following options are available:
- - Complete an English course with a recognised Australian education institution (eg high school English).
- - If you are 19 years of age or older you can sit a Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)conducted by the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) which is a test of language and other academic skills.
- - Sit a special test which will be arranged by the TAFEWA Admissions Centre.
Note: You must enclose photocopies of relevant results with your application.
What method of payment may I use? Top of Page
Your enrolment is not complete until your fees and charges are paid in full, or a deferred payment arrangement (Instalment Agreement) has been made.
Once you have selected your study options and completed your enrolment form you will be offered to take up one of the payment options:
- - Pay the full amount of fees and charges by either cash, credit card, eftpos, cheque.
- If your employer is paying your fees you will be asked to provide a ‘signed authority to invoice’ from your employer.
- If you are experiencing financial difficulties you may make application of the grounds of financial hardship to pay by instalments a deposit is required. You should discuss this with your college at the time of enrolment
- You will also be able to make application for your fees and charges to be waived if you are experiencing severe financial hardship. You will need to enquire further at your enrolling institution.
- If you have not paid all your previous semester fees you will need to make arrangements with your enrolling institution.
I’m already studying at TAFEWA – what do I do? Top of Page
If you intend to continue to the next semester of your current course, eg same course title and ID number, you are a continuing student. You don't not apply through the TAFEWA Admissions Centre and should discuss re-enrolment with your TAFEWA college.
If you plan to continue your studies full-time within your current learning pathway for a qualification that only requires you to meet entrance requirements at the same TAFEWA college next semester you should enrol directly at that college.
You do need to apply through the TAFEWA Admissions Centre if you want to:
- - go to another TAFEWA college
- - study a qualification which is not your current learning pathway, eg go from a Certificate III in Business to a Certificate III in Information Technology apply for a qualification that has both entrance requirements and selection criteria.
Where can I go to get more information? Top of Page
School leavers (secondary students) should contact their school career officers. Non-school applicants should consult an information officer at their nearest TAFEWA college or the Career Development Centre.
How do I find out about qualifications available at the WA Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA)? Top of Page
You can contact the Admissions Office at WAAPA to find out what qualifications are available at WAAPA. The office will be able to tell you about how you can apply to get in to your preferred qualification.
Is there accomodation available at TAFEWA? Top of Page
Some accommodation may be available near TAFEWA campuses for those students who normally live elsewhere. Central West TAFE in Geraldton has residential accommodation for students - visit the Central West TAFE website for more information.