Pre-accredited Course fees and subsidies

Fees and charges for individual training and further education courses are set by registered Learn Local providers.

Learn Local providers can charge student course fees up to the following limits:

Note: From 1 January 2025, all indigenous students are exempt from paying tuition fees for ACFE-funded pre-accredited programs.

Additional costs, such as for materials and administration, may also apply.

A new set of guidelines has been developed to provide guidance for student fees that are allowable for ACFE-funded programs.

The ACFE Board’s Guidelines about Fees describe requirements about tuition fees and other fees associated with Adult, Community and Further Education Board subsidised training and the financial and accountability requirements for charging fees.

These guidelines apply to all enrolments in ACFE Board subsidised pre-accredited training and must be read in conjunction with the annual Service Agreement and annual ACFE Training Delivery Guidelines.

The ACFE Board’s 2024 Guidelines about Fees can be accessed from the Learn Local Sector Hub, located on your Dashboard in the Learn Local Secure Portal.

A government subsidised course attracts the level of contribution set by the Minister for Training, Skills and Higher Education, and is subject to other conditions set by the Minister.

The current subsidy rates paid to Learn Local providers for pre-accredited training purchased through the ACFE Board are:

Note: Commencing 1 January 2023, the subsidy per Student Contact Hour (SCH) increased from $9.10 to $9.35 per hour. The subsidy rate increase applies to General Pre-accredited and Digital Skills program streams.

Regional loading

A 25 per cent loading applies for regional pre-accredited training delivery. This is intended to increase regional participation in the context of the persistent challenge of achieving viable class sizes in regional areas.

Payments are based upon data reported in the Skills Victoria Training System (SVTS) for delivery that occurs in the identified postcode areas.

The regional loading is calculated on student contact hours delivered, using the base subsidy rate for the year of delivery.

Regional loading payment processing timeframes

Regional loading is paid across two payments.

The first payment of the pre-accredited regional loading will be processed and paid in the first semester of the contracted year of delivery.

The subsequent payment will be processed and paid in the first semester of the following year.

Koorie loading

A 50 per cent loading applies for Koorie learners in pre-accredited training. The loading aims to increase engagement of Koorie learners in pre-accredited training and support Koorie communities.

The Koorie loading is calculated for student contact hours delivered to learners who identify as Indigenous, using the base subsidy rate for the year of delivery.

Payments are based upon reported enrolment data recorded in Skills Victoria Training System (SVTS), with the appropriate indicator for pre-accredited training delivery to Koorie learners.

A regional loading will still be applied, in addition to the Koorie loading for reported pre-accredited training delivery in identified postcodes.

Koorie loading payment processing timeframes

Koorie loading is paid across two payments.

The first Koorie loading payment will be processed and paid in the first semester of the contracted year of delivery.

The subsequent payment will be processed and paid in the first semester of the following year.

Learn Local providers should refer to the Victorian VET Student Statistical Collection Guidelines 2024 for information on the Indigenous Status Identifier, regarding learner self-identification.

All government funded pre-accredited training delivery must be reported quarterly at a minimum, as a requirement of your contract. For more information, visit Reporting and Surveys.