From 1 January 2023, the following eligibility criteria apply.

To be eligible for free training, reduced-fee qualifications or a subsidised training place; you must have left school*, have your primary place of residence in Western Australia, and are either:

• an Australian citizen; or
• a permanent visa holder or holder of visa subclass 309, 444, 449, 785, 786, 790, or 820; or
• a dependent or spouse of the primary holder of a visa subclass 457 or 482**; or
• a bridging visa holder who has made a valid application for a visa subclass 866; or
• a bridging visa E holder (subclasses 050 and 051) who has made a valid application for a visa subclass 785 or 790.

*In 2023, Year 12 school students who are leaving school can access a subsidised training place from 23 October 2023.

**From 1 January 2023, the spouses and dependants of primary 457 or 482 visa holders will be also able to access subsidised training in WA. These skilled migrant families will be further supported by waiving public school fees for their children during 2023.

First Nations people, young people, people out of work or receiving income support, unpaid carers, people with disability, and women facing economic insecurity are particularly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity for fee free training.

Please note that existing worker trainees are not eligible for the fee-free arrangements.

What if I have already started or paid for my course, and now it's free in 2023?

• If you commenced units in a course or skill set prior to it becoming free from 1 January 2023, you will pay the regular course fee rate for those units until 31 December 2022. Training will become fee-free from 1 January 2023.
   
• If you commence units in a course or skill set on or after 1 January 2023, you will be eligible for a refund if you paid fees previous to that date. If you think you may have overpaid for your course, please contact your TAFE college or training provider to request a review of your payment and a refund if applicable.