Eligibility Criteria

What You Need to Know

You can apply for a VET Student Loan for eligible qualifications if:

1. You are an Australian citizen or permanent humanitarian visa holder (resident in Australia for the duration of the unit/s of study); or
2. Are a New Zealand Special Category Visa holder who:
   1. Has usually been resident in Australia for at least 10 years;
   2. Was a dependent child when you began to be usually resident in Australia;
   3. First entered Australia as a minor under 18 years of age;
   4. Has been in Australia for periods totalling 8 years during the previous 10 years; and
   5. Has been in Australia for periods totalling 18 months during the previous 2 years.

You also need to have met each of the following criteria to apply for VET Student Loans:

1. Apply for a VET Student Loan for an eligible qualification;
2. Have not exceeded your FEE-HELP limit, or course cap limit for the enrolled course;
3. Have no outstanding fees or debt with TAFE Queensland;
4. Provide a Tax File Number or a Certificate of Application for a Tax File Number;
5. Supply a valid Unique Student Identifier (USI), or exempt letter;
6. If under the age of 18 have your application co-signed by a parent/guardian (unless you are certified as independent, in which case evidence must be provided of independence); and
7. Have read the VET Student Loans Information Booklet 2017.

Please note that in cases where places are limited by a quota, TAFE Queensland may offer places in order of merit based on an assessment of skills.

Cooling Off Period

What You Need to Know

When you enrol in a VET Student Loans eligible program TAFE Queensland will provide you with a cooling off period of 2 business days. This provides you with time to make sure of your choice to take out a student loan for your tuition.

It is important to note that if you enrol in unit/s of study less than 2 business days before the Census date for the relevant units you will not be eligible for a VET Student Loan for those unit/s.

Assessing your Suitability for your Chosen Unit/s of Study

What You Need to Know

All students enrolling in VET Student Loans eligible qualifications and applying for a VET Student Loan have to demonstrate competence at (or above) Exit Level 3 in the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) in both reading and numeracy.

You can do this by providing a copy of your:

• Senior Secondary Certificate of Education; or
• Evidence of completion of an AQF Certificate IV or higher qualification (where the language of instruction is English).

If you don't have either of these TAFE Queensland will make a language, literacy and numeracy test available to you, and provide you with instructions on how to complete it. It is OK to enrol and then undertake the test.

We will let you know the outcome of your test as soon as possible. If for some reason you do not pass the test, don't worry, we are here to help you identify what path you need to follow to continue with your studies.

Applying for a VET Student Loan

What You Need to Know

TAFE Queensland will provide you with access to the VET Student Loans Information Booklet 2017, and the VET Student Loans application form (Request for a VET Student Loan eCAF form) when you enrol.

We will help you to work out all that you need to do to apply for the loan. We will also make sure you understand what your Census date is for your units of study. This is the date when your VET Student Loan needs to be finalised, and is really important because if you have not made your loan arrangements by this date you will be required to pay your fees up front and in full.

Processing your VET Student Loan Application and Managing your Enrolment

What You Need to Know

For successful applications, we will let you know of the outcome of your application and finalise the details of your enrolment.

Once your enrolment is confirmed we will also create your Commonwealth Higher Education Support Student Number. You will also receive your Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN), VET Student Loan Statement of Covered Fees, and VET Student Loan Fee Notice. These items make your loan official.

If for some reason you need to dispute the outcome to your student entry decision we ask you to do that by lodging a formal complaint with TAFE Queensland.

For more information about VET Student Loans visit the Study Assist website.

Further Information

If you need further information, contact us

Statement of Tuition Assurance Exemption FEE-HELP

Introduction

1. Tuition assurance protects students in the event a course of study provided by an approved HELP provider ceases to be provided after it starts but before it is completed.

2. As an approved higher education provider under the Higher Education Support Act 2003, TAFE Queensland, ABN: 72898805093 must meet the tuition assurance requirements or be exempt from those requirements.

3. It is intended that, from 1 January 2018, TAFE Queensland will be exempted from the requirement to meet the tuition assurance requirements. Instead, TAFE Queensland is required to comply with interim arrangements which ensure similar tuition assurance protection is provided to students.

4. This statement sets out the interim arrangements for tuition assurance that will apply from 1 January 2018 and TAFE Queensland’s obligations from that date.

5. If any changes occur to the proposed arrangements outlined below, a revised statement will be provided on TAFE Queensland’s website and advised to all students that have enrolled in the intervening period.

What happens if TAFE Queensland ceases to provide a course of study?

Information for affected students

6. TAFE Queensland will notify affected students in writing that a course of study is no longer provided within 2 business days after TAFE Queensland ceases to provide the course.

7. As soon as practicable, TAFE Queensland will also update its website to reflect that the course is no longer being delivered and to give students information about the tuition assurance arrangements.

8. Affected students may choose either course assurance arrangements or apply to TAFE Queensland for a re-credit of their HELP balance.

Course Assurance

9. The Commonwealth Department of Education and Training (the Department) (or a consultant engaged by the Department) will work with affected students to identify a replacement course and arrange for students to be placed with a second provider.

10. Replacement courses must meet the following requirements:

• the course must lead to the same or comparable qualification as the original course;
• the mode of delivery of the replacement course must be the same as or, with the student’s consent, similar to the mode of delivery for the original course;
• the location where the replacement course is primarily delivered must be reasonable, having regard to the costs of, and the time required for, a student’s travel; and
• the student will not incur additional fees that are unreasonable and will be able to attend the replacement course without unreasonable impacts on the student’s prior commitments.

11. Affected students will be offered a replacement course and may seek a review about whether the course offered to them meets the requirements for replacement courses.

12. A student who accepts the replacement course offered will not be required to pay the second provider for the replacement components of the replacement course. However, the fees payable for the remainder of the replacement course may be different from the fees payable for the original course.

13. The student will also receive course credits for parts of the original course successfully completed by the student, as evidenced by a copy of a statement of attainment or other Australian Qualifications Framework certification document issued by the course provider or an authorised issuing organisation in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework.

14. Each affected student will have a period of six (6) months in which to accept the replacement course offer. The Department may extend that period in circumstances that justify an extension.

15. If an affected student enrols in a course that is not a replacement course, the student may be required to pay additional tuition fees, and might not receive the course credits the student would have received if the student had enrolled in a replacement course.

Re-credit of HELP balance

16. Where the student prefers to apply for a re-credit of their HELP balance for the affected parts of the original course, the student may nominate the Department (or a consultant engaged by the Department) to make the application on the student’s behalf.

17. TAFE Queensland will consider students’ applications as soon as practicable and notify them of the decision about the application, together with a statement of reasons for the decision. If an application for a re-credit is accepted, the amount re-credited will be equal to the amount of HELP assistance received by the student for the affected units of study.

Record keeping

18. It is suggested best practice for students to retain assessments, records of competencies or statements of attainment that they receive from their education provider.

Statement of Tuition Assurance Exemption VET FEE-HELP (VFH)

Introduction

1. Tuition assurance protects students in the event a course provided by an approved VFH provider ceases to be provided after it starts but before it is completed.

2. As an approved VET provider under the Higher Education Support Act 2003, TAFE Queensland, ABN: 72898805093 must meet the VET tuition assurance requirements or be exempt from those requirements.

3. It is intended that, from 1 January 2018, TAFE Queensland will be exempted from the requirement to meet the VET tuition assurance requirements. Instead, TAFE Queensland is required to comply with interim arrangements which ensure similar tuition assurance protection is provided to students.

4. This statement sets out the interim arrangements for tuition assurance that will apply from 1 January 2018 and TAFE Queensland’s obligations from that date.

5. If any changes occur to the proposed arrangements outlined below, a revised statement will be provided on TAFE Queensland’s website and advised to all students that have enrolled in the intervening period.

What happens if TAFE Queensland ceases to provide an eligible VET course of study?

Information for affected students

6. TAFE Queensland will notify affected students in writing that an eligible VET course of study is no longer provided within 2 business days after TAFE Queensland ceases to provide the course.

7. As soon as practicable, TAFE Queensland will also update its website to reflect that the course is no longer being delivered and to give students information about the tuition assurance arrangements.

Replacement courses

8. TAFE Queensland will work with affected students to identify a replacement course and arrange for students to be placed with replacement providers.

9. Replacement courses must meet the following requirements:

• the course must lead to the same or comparable qualification as the original course;
• the mode of delivery of the replacement course must be the same as or, with the student’s consent, similar to the mode of delivery for the original course;
• the location of the replacement course must be reasonable, having regard to the costs of, and the time required for, a student’s travel; and
• the student will not incur additional fees that are unreasonable and will be able to attend the replacement course without unreasonable impacts on the student’s prior commitments.

10. Affected students will be offered a replacement course and may seek a review about whether the course offered to them meets the requirements for replacement courses.

11. A student who accepts the replacement course offered will not be required to pay the replacement provider for the replacement components of the replacement course. However, the fees payable for the remainder of the replacement course may be different from the fees payable for the original course.

12. The student will also receive course credits for parts of the original course successfully completed by the student, as evidenced by:

• a copy of a statement of attainment or other Australian Qualifications Framework certification document issued by the course provider or an authorised issuing organisation in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework; or
• a copy of an authenticated VET transcript issued by the Student Identifiers registrar.

13. Each affected student will have a period of six (6) months in which to accept the replacement course offer. The Department may extend that period in circumstances that justify an extension.

14. If an affected student enrols in a course that is not a replacement course, the student may be required to pay additional tuition fees, and might not receive the course credits the student would have received if the student had enrolled in a replacement course.

Re-crediting of students’ FEE-HELP balances

15. Where there is no suitable replacement course for a student, TAFE Queensland will notify the student that he or she may apply to TAFE Queensland to have their FEE HELP balance re-credited for the affected parts of the original course.

16. TAFE Queensland will consider students’ applications as soon as practicable and notify them of the decision about the application, together with a statement of reasons for the decision. If an application for a re-credit is accepted, the amount re-credited will be equal to the amount of VET FEE-HELP assistance received by the student for the affected VET units of study.

Prepaid fees

17. TAFE Queensland will refund the tuition fees paid upfront for the affected parts of the original course.

18. TAFE Queensland has in place a Student Refund Policy. If the provider is under external administration, this may require the student submitting a proof of debt with the external administrator.

Record keeping

19. It is suggested best practice for students to retain assessments, records of competencies or statements of attainment that they receive from their education provider.

Statement of Tuition Assurance Exemption VET FEE-HELP (VFH)

Introduction

1. Tuition assurance protects students in the event a course provided by an approved VFH provider ceases to be provided after it starts but before it is completed.

2. As an approved VET provider under the Higher Education Support Act 2003, TAFE Queensland, ABN: 72898805093 must meet the VET tuition assurance requirements or be exempt from those requirements.

3. It is intended that, from 1 January 2018, TAFE Queensland will be exempted from the requirement to meet the VET tuition assurance requirements. Instead, TAFE Queensland is required to comply with interim arrangements which ensure similar tuition assurance protection is provided to students.

4. This statement sets out the interim arrangements for tuition assurance that will apply from 1 January 2018 and TAFE Queensland’s obligations from that date.

5. If any changes occur to the proposed arrangements outlined below, a revised statement will be provided on TAFE Queensland’s website and advised to all students that have enrolled in the intervening period.

What happens if TAFE Queensland ceases to provide an eligible VET course of study?

Information for affected students

6. TAFE Queensland will notify affected students in writing that an eligible VET course of study is no longer provided within 2 business days after TAFE Queensland ceases to provide the course.

7. As soon as practicable, TAFE Queensland will also update its website to reflect that the course is no longer being delivered and to give students information about the tuition assurance arrangements.

Replacement courses

8. TAFE Queensland will work with affected students to identify a replacement course and arrange for students to be placed with replacement providers.

9. Replacement courses must meet the following requirements:

• the course must lead to the same or comparable qualification as the original course;
• the mode of delivery of the replacement course must be the same as or, with the student’s consent, similar to the mode of delivery for the original course;
• the location of the replacement course must be reasonable, having regard to the costs of, and the time required for, a student’s travel; and
• the student will not incur additional fees that are unreasonable and will be able to attend the replacement course without unreasonable impacts on the student’s prior commitments.

10. Affected students will be offered a replacement course and may seek a review about whether the course offered to them meets the requirements for replacement courses.

11. A student who accepts the replacement course offered will not be required to pay the replacement provider for the replacement components of the replacement course. However, the fees payable for the remainder of the replacement course may be different from the fees payable for the original course.

12. The student will also receive course credits for parts of the original course successfully completed by the student, as evidenced by:

• a copy of a statement of attainment or other Australian Qualifications Framework certification document issued by the course provider or an authorised issuing organisation in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework; or
• a copy of an authenticated VET transcript issued by the Student Identifiers registrar.

13. Each affected student will have a period of six (6) months in which to accept the replacement course offer. The Department may extend that period in circumstances that justify an extension.

14. If an affected student enrols in a course that is not a replacement course, the student may be required to pay additional tuition fees, and might not receive the course credits the student would have received if the student had enrolled in a replacement course.

Re-crediting of students’ FEE-HELP balances

15. Where there is no suitable replacement course for a student, TAFE Queensland will notify the student that he or she may apply to TAFE Queensland to have their FEE HELP balance re-credited for the affected parts of the original course.

16. TAFE Queensland will consider students’ applications as soon as practicable and notify them of the decision about the application, together with a statement of reasons for the decision. If an application for a re-credit is accepted, the amount re-credited will be equal to the amount of VET FEE-HELP assistance received by the student for the affected VET units of study.

Prepaid fees

17. TAFE Queensland will refund the tuition fees paid upfront for the affected parts of the original course.

18. TAFE Queensland has in place a Student Refund Policy. If the provider is under external administration, this may require the student submitting a proof of debt with the external administrator.

Record keeping

19. It is suggested best practice for students to retain assessments, records of competencies or statements of attainment that they receive from their education provider.

Re-Credit Rules

What You Need to Know

If you withdraw from a unit of study after the census date you will incur a FEE-HELP debt for that unit of study.

However, if you withdraw after the census date or are unable to successfully complete a unit of study, and believe this was due to Special Circumstances, you may apply to have your FEE-HELP balance re-credited for the unit of study.

Special circumstances are circumstances that are:

1. Are beyond your control; and
2. Did not make their full impact until after the census date for the unit of study; and
3. Make it impractical for you to complete the requirements for the unit of study.

Making a Re-Credit Application

What You Need to Know

To make a re-credit review application, you need to submit a FEE-HELP, VET FEE-HELP and VET Student Loans Re-Credit Application Form (PDF, 491KB) to TAFE Queensland.

Any re-credit review application must be submitted within:

• 12 months from the date you withdrew from the unit of study (or if you didn't withdraw, 12 months from the end date of the unit of study) (for FEE-HELP and VET FEE-HELP eligible students); or
• 12 months of the census date for the unit of study (for VET Student Loans eligible students).

Re-Credit Decisions

What You Need to Know

Your TAFE Queensland region will make its decision within 28 days of receiving all the information required to support your application.

If you are eligible for a re-credit, TAFE Queensland will re-credit your FEE-HELP balance for the appropriate amount, and ensure that an updated Commonwealth Assistance Notice is provided to you.

If you are not eligible for a re-credit, TAFE Queensland will provide you with its decision in writing.

Appeals

What You Need to Know

Internal Appeals:

If you feel that TAFE Queensland's decision about your re-credit request is unfair, you have a right to ask for an internal appeal of the decision.

Your request for an internal appeal must be on the basis of the way in which the decision was reached by TAFE Queensland, and include:

• The grounds for the appeal; and
• Any supporting documentation.

If you are asking for an internal appeal, it must be made in writing using the form provided to you, and be submitted within 28 days of receiving the notification of the re-credit decision by TAFE Queensland.

TAFE Queensland will then consider the matter and respond to you within 45 days.

External Appeals:

If you are still dissatisfied with the decision, you may have the right to take the matter to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for an external appeal.

Useful forms

FEE-HELP, VET FEE-HELP and VET Student Loans Re-Credit Application Form (PDF, 491KB)