TAFE Queensland Robina Campus
PA-8: Affordability and Access

At this stage, TAFE Queensland does not have the required data to estimate all the evidence required. There are a number of different financial support programs available to help our students complete their studies. No student can graduate with an outstanding financial balance owing on their course of study and therefore the 'Percentage of students graduating without student loan debt' is zero. Different financial support is listed below.

1. PAYMENT PLANS
For any student who needs to pay for their course in excess of $500 AUD, a non-interest payment plan can be negotiated and put in place. Counsellors are available to support students, and refer to specialist services in the community, if there is financial hardship.

2. VET STUDENT LOANS
TAFE Queensland offers a range of Diploma programs where students are able to apply for a VET Student Loan. The VET Student Loan must be at the diploma level or above and meet certain eligibility criteria that ensure it aligns with industry needs and leads to good employment outcomes. Approved courses are allocated a maximum loan amount that can be borrowed for each course. W: https://www.dewr.gov.au/vet-student-loans/vet-information-students#toc-how-to-access-a-vet-student-loan.

3. FEE FREE TAFE COURSES
Currently, TAFE Queensland is offering a large number of fee-free courses as a result of government funding. Fee-Free TAFE courses have been specifically chosen based on local skills demand and advice from industry. Completing training in these high-priority areas will help students graduate with in-demand skills and strong job prospects. There are over 90 courses to choose from in high-priority areas including business and IT, creative industries, education and community, environment and animal services, health and science, and service industries.
https://tafeqld.edu.au/courses/apply-and-enrol/subsidised-training/fee-free-tafe.

4. SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships ($5,000) are available to support students. Access and equity scholarships provide equitable access to study at TAFE Queensland. They are awarded to students who can demonstrate a genuine interest in and commitment to their chosen career and identify themselves with one of the following access and equity categories:
• is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
• has significant caring responsibilities
• has a disability or long-term medical condition or illness
• is long-term unemployed (for a period greater than 6 months)
• is a sole parent
• suffers significant financial difficulties or social barriers to study
• suffers from another specified disadvantage.
Merit scholarships are awarded to students who have achieved outstanding academic merit or demonstrate strong work performance, along with the demonstrable desire to secure ongoing employment within the industry to which they applied for the scholarship.

Of the 100 scholarships awarded each year, Robina Campus currently has 2 students on scholarships. One is a Merit Scholarship recipient who commenced study in Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping this Semester, the other is an Access and Equity Scholarship recipient who commenced the Certificate IV in Leadership and Management in the April 2023 intake.

5. CONCESSIONS
Students undertaking government-subsidised qualifications are offered a fee concession, for Tuition Fees, providing the student meets the eligibility requirements. Fee concessions must be applied for and approved as the student enrols. https://tafeqld.edu.au/about/policy-and-governance/student-rules-and-policies/student-fees#accordion-7419df202d-item-5ca160b65b.

6. STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Student support services team (15 in total including the manager):
• Indigenous student support officer 3 days pw
• Accessibility student support officer – disability, FT
• Learning Skills teachers x 4 FT – assist students with learning needs i.e. maths for electro, tutorials, 1:1 as required, mini-workshops
• 4 casual tutors support students with disability - PT
• Counsellors x 3 FT + 0.6 x 1 – mental health focus with some career advice, connect students to external support services, accommodation, etc
• International students (800+) support staff – 1 x FT & 1 x 0.8 – all types of support and connect students with specialist support, accommodation, working conditions, etc
• BKSB coordination x 1 FT – support students to improve marks, etc

In the 2022.23 financial year, the following students did identify:
*First Nations students identifying as Aboriginal - 41
*First Nations students identifying as Torres Strait Islanders - 4
*Students with a Disability - 135

Fee support information by TAFE Queensland is listed here https://tafeqld.edu.au/about/policy-and-governance/student-rules-and-policies/student-fees#accordion-7419df202d-item-5ca160b65b.

Robina Campus students have access to TAFE Queensland Gold Coast's Student Support Services Team (15 in total) to support student needs. The specialist staff has been trained to assist non-traditional students, including:
* advice about career pathways
* offer help to complete their studies
* support to make pathway changes if required
* how to access support at TAFE Queensland i.e. cultural, learning support, counselling
* referrals to local community groups i.e. accommodation, language, transportation, etc.

*Concessions:
Students undertaking government-subsidised qualifications are offered a fee concession, for Tuition Fees, providing the student meets the eligibility requirements. Fee concessions must be applied for and approved as the student enrols. https://tafeqld.edu.au/about/policy-and-governance/student-rules-and-policies/student-fees#accordion-7419df202d-item-5ca160b65b.

*Scholarships:
TAFE Queensland provides approved scholarships that the student can use to pay for Tuition or Services Fees. TAFE Queensland can offer the appropriate Tuition Fee or Service Fee reduction. https://tafeqld.edu.au/courses/apply-and-enrol/scholarships

The staff and programs listed are there for all students including underrepresented and non-traditional students. Robina Campus delivers Adult Migrant Education (AMEP) and Skills Education Employment (SEE) Programs. Students in these cohorts are non-traditional and require significant support from their educators and specialist staff due to English as a second language, low-socioeconomic backgrounds, justice referred, and lack of foundation and employability skills.