If you are interested in studying in Australia you may find the following information helpful.
Introduction
What courses are available and where do I find details about them?
When should I apply?
About Western Australia
Entry requirements
Can I start at TAFEWA by studying English?
Can I work while I study?
How much will it cost?
How do I apply and enrol?
Help with living and studying in Western Australia
Can I use my TAFEWA qualification to enter university in Australia?
Can I get recognition for the study, training and experience I’ve obtained overseas?
Where can I find visa and immigration information on studying in Australia?
Who do I contact to find out more details about studying at TAFEWA?
What services do TAFEWA colleges provide to international students?
Each year over 3,000 international students from over 30 countries around the world choose to study at TAFEWA Colleges in Western Australia. TAFEWA is the largest provider of vocational education and training in the state and enrols over 150,000 local students annually.
TAFEWA offers 'real world' training by highly experienced staff in modern facilities. The training provided combines quality learning with practical experience to ensure graduates obtain skills that are highly valued by employers.
More than 250 courses are available in virtually every area including: english and languages, communication, business, engineering, computing, science, art and design, media, health, horticulture and land management, hospitality, tourism, clothing, maritime, aeronautics and animal studies.
So whether you are seeking a pathway to university or a skilled career, studying at TAFEWA, in the sunny, friendly and affordable state of Western Australia is an excellent choice.
Education and Training International is the Western Australian government organisation that provides a gateway for international students wishing to study at TAFEWA Colleges. Education and Training International assists international students through the process involved in successfully entering Australia to study at TAFEWA.
What courses are available and where do I find details about them? Top of Page
This website contains all courses run by TAFEWA however, only certain full-time courses are available to international students (international students are required to attend classes for an average of 20 hours per week and part-time study and courses with less than 20hrs/week are not available).
The Education and Training International course handbooks – that are written specifically for international students – are the best place to find specific details about courses including:
- - descriptions of what you will learn
- - how long it will take
- - admission requirements
- - the study location
- - tuition fees
- - sample study plans
- - career or further study opportunities upon completion.
The Education and Training International course handbooks are released each August for the following year and can be obtained through Education and Training International.
Please remember that the availability of a course can only be confirmed through ETI when you apply.
There is no fixed deadline for applications each year but you should allow enough time to process your student visa/application and settle in Western Australia before your course begins. Most courses commence in January and July.
Some courses, eg art and design, require students to submit a folio as part of the application process and these application deadlines close earlier. English courses run throughout the year, with students being able to commence each Monday. Please contact Education and Training International on telephone +61 8 9218 2100 for advice specific to your interest and situation.
About Western Australia Top of Page
When you arrive in Western Australia, you will notice the great weather, with blue skies and sunny days, making it possible to live a relaxed, outdoor lifestyle. Western Australia is also great value, with a cost of living that is much lower than in other cities in Australia.
Western Australia is in the same time zone as most of Asia and only a short flight from capital cities in Asia, the sub continent and the Gulf States.
Perth is Western Australia’s rapidly growing capital city. With a state population of 2 million people, it has a youthful character that is ideally suited to student life. Fremantle, a smaller port city just 18 kilometres from Perth, is just as colourful with artists, street markets and a lively café society.
There is much to explore in Western Australia with famous holiday resorts and tourist attractions to discover at your leisure. You can find out more about Western Australia at westernaustralia.com.
TAFEWA courses for international students have general entry requirements based primarily on level of schooling. However, relevant work experience may also be taken into consideration. You can find a summary of these for major countries by following this link: entry requirements for Education and Training International. There are also additional specific admission requirements or prerequisites for some courses which you can find in the ETI course handbooks.
Entry into most courses is also conditional on English language skills. You will need a Test of English as a Foreign Language (often called TOEFL) score of 530 or an International English Language Testing System (often called IELTS) score of 5.5. If you do not have a TOEFL or IELTS score, you can apply to sit the TAFEWA English Proficiency Test.
Can I start at TAFEWA by studying English? Top of Page
Yes, TAFEWA offers English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students at two language centres, with well equipped facilities including computer language laboratories and libraries.
Before classes begin, your level of English is assessed (free of charge), so that you can begin at the right level. Then you study under the guidance of highly trained teachers and in small classes. At TAFEWA, there is special emphasis on pronunciation, literacy and grammar.
You can join a class at almost any time, and study for as long as you choose. And at the end of your course, you will be presented with a Certificate of Completion and a report on your progress.
Can I work while I study? Top of Page
International students on a student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during semester and full-time during semester breaks. You must apply for a Work Rights Visa which costs AU$60. Forms are available through the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. Visit their website.
Please be aware that course attendance is tracked and if you do not attend 80% of your classes your student visa can be cancelled.
How much will it cost? Top of Page
International students pay full fees upfront to study at TAFEWA and are not eligible for Australian government concessions. However, these fees are very competitive with university charges and offer value for money.
Fees for each course can be found in Education and Training International’s Course List & Fees booklet for the relevant year or by contacting Education and Training International directly on telephone +61 8 9218 2100. These fees cover tuition only and do not include any other expenses such as books, accommodation, meals, transport, health cover, airfares etc.
Education and Training International can provide guidance on the approximate cost of living in Western Australia while you study here.
How do I apply and enrol? Top of Page
Applications and Enrolments for all international students are conducted through Education and Training International. You can find a step by step description of the process here.
Help with living and studying in Western Australia Top of Page
Education and Training International can provide assistance and advice to international students for the duration of their studies at TAFEWA, including orientation programmes, visa and attendance requirements, accommodation, health care, ID cards, and various forms of student advice and support. Visit eti.wa.edu.au for further information.
Assistance is also available from the TAFEWA college that delivers your course.
Can I use my TAFEWA qualification to enter university in Australia? Top of Page
TAFEWA courses are an excellent pathway to university for international students, with many formal arrangements allowing entry into Australian university courses upon completion of related higher-level TAFEWA qualifications. In most cases advanced standing will also be possible, allowing students to gain credit for up to 18 months of the university course.
These university arrangements are usually detailed under 'Further Education' in the hard copy Education and Training International course handbooks. You can also contact Education and Training International directly on telephone +61 8 9218 2100 to find out more about obtaining university entrance through TAFEWA qualifications.
Can I get recognition for the study, training and experience I’ve obtained overseas? Top of Page
You can get formal recognition of qualifications you have completed overseas through the Overseas Qualifications Unit of the Department of Education and Training. Please telephone +61 8 9320 3750 to speak to them.
International students can also obtain recognition of prior learning and skills within parts of the qualification they are studying, but this does not reduce the fees for the course and, in fact, can be more expensive due to the need to maintain a full-time study load (other units may need to be picked up which will have to be paid for). Please contact Education and Training International on telephone +61 8 9218 2100 for further information.
Where can I find visa and immigration information on studying in Australia? Top of Page
The Australian Government provides this information through the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs website. You can also obtain advice on these matters through Education and Training International.
Who do I contact to find out more details about studying at TAFEWA? Top of Page
Education and Training International has student advisors that you can contact via telephone, email, post or in person (both in Australia and when they visit overseas). Their contact details are:
Education and Training International
Level 7, 190 St Georges Terrace
Perth WA 6000
T: +61 8 9320 3777
F: +61 8 9320 3700
E: study@eti.wa.edu.au
W: eti.wa.edu.au
What services do TAFEWA colleges provide to international students? Top of Page
The main TAFEWA colleges that deliver courses for international students also provide their own services. You can find details of some of these at the following college sites:
Central TAFE
Challenger TAFE
Swan TAFE
West Coast TAFE