Fees & Concessions

Exemptions and Concessions

When you enrol with Birrang you need to pay the student fee. If you enrol in a government subsidised course you may qualify for a fee exemption or concession.

Aboriginal Students

Aboriginal Students who meet the general criteria for a Government subsidised training place will be exempt from the student fee.
Find more information on the Smart and Skilled website.

Students With a Disability

From 2016, Students who live or work in NSW who receive a disability support pension will be exempt from fees for any Smart and Skilled training they undertake. Eligible students who are dependents of Disability Support Pension recipients will also be exempt from fees for any Smart and Skilled training they undertake.

Proof of Disability Eligibility

If you are seeking a fee exemption or concession on the basis of disability when you enrol, we will ask for evidence that you meet the disability eligibility criteria. This can be documentation for a Disability Support Pension or a written statement from an appropriate specialist or support professional. If you’re the dependent of a disability pension recipient, when you enrol we will ask for evidence that Centrelink accepts you as a dependent.

Fee Information

Fees will be dependent on whether the course is eligible for Government subsidy (i.e. if it is on the Skills List) and then whether you are individually eligible based on your specific circumstances. The Smart and Skilled website contains more information on eligibility criteria. You can find out what fee you might need to pay and your eligibility to access government subsidised training by visiting the Smart and Skilled website and using the fee calculator.

Fee Concessions

If you are eligible for government-subsidised training you may be eligible for a fee Concession. Please see the list below for applicable Commonwealth benefits or allowances:

* Please note: Claims for exemption or concession must be made at the time you enrol for the course. Students who are recognised as the dependant child/spouse/partner of a recipient of an eligible benefit or allowance may also be eligible for the concession fee.

Concession and Exemption Application Forms

If you are applying for a fee exemption or concession fee, you need to complete a Concession or Exemption application form and return it with appropriate documentation to Birrang. Forms are available upon enrolment.

Fees for Repeat Attempts at Units of Competency

The fee you pay, or the fee exemption only covers your first attempt at your course, or the first attempt at any unit of competency within your course. A separate fee will be charged for any second or further attempt to successfully achieve a unit of competency and as this fee will be determined on your specific circumstances and training needs, this fee would not be known at time of enrolment. If you would like to repeat a unit of competency you should discuss this with your trainer as soon as possible.

Deferring, Transferring or Withdrawing Students

You are able to defer your Subsidised Training in an Approved Qualification for up to 12 months from the date of receipt of a notice being given in writing. You can also transfer or withdraw from a course. We are committed to assisting you to continue your training where possible, and can advise you of the Fee implications of deferring your training. If you defer your training and do not recommence training within the 12 month period you will be required to recommence the eligibility process. Come and talk to us for information to help support you in your learning.

Recognition of Prior Learning

At Birrang we recognise that you may have skills and knowledge gained through work, life experiences and previous learning which are relevant to your course. We offer Recognition for Prior Leaning (RPL) which may reduce the amount of study required to obtain a qualification. You can find out more by talking to the trainer offering the course that interests you.

Credit Transfer

Credit transfer is the credit given towards a qualification for a unit of competency from a nationally accredited course that you have completed through formal vocation education and training.

Where you are granted a credit transfer for one or more units of competency, the qualification price is adjusted and a new student fee is determined. You can find out more by speaking with your trainer.

Unique Student Identifier (USI)

Get your unique student number – a USI. You can register for your USI here. We can help you do that!

Student Support Services

To support students Birrang will:

• Assess a student’s core skills during their enrolment on an as needed basis to ensure they have adequate skills to complete the training;
• Support students during their study with training and assessment materials and strategies that are easily understood and suitable to the level of the workplace skills
  being delivered;
• Provide clear information to students about the detail of the core skills assistance available;
• Refer students to external language, literacy and numeracy support services that are beyond the support available within Birrang and where this level of support is
  assessed as necessary; and
• Negotiate an extension of time and other support arrangements to assist students to complete training programs if necessary.

We want to see you complete your qualification, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

Consumer Protection Information

Birrang aims to provide an environment to support quality vocational education and training to benefit individuals, industry, business and the wider community. As a Birrang Student you have the right to:

• expect that the education and training will be consistent with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) regulations and Smart and Skilled Contract requirements
• be informed about personal information that is collected about you and the right to review and correct that information
• access to Birrang feedback and complaints handling process.

With rights come responsibilities and as a student in Birrang your responsibilities include:

• providing accurate and complete information to Birrang
• behaving in a responsible and ethical manner