Fees & Payments
Understanding your fees before you enrol is important. This page covers everything you need to know about tuition fees, additional charges, how to pay, key dates, and what happens if your circumstances change. All fee information is provided in accordance with TheFCA's obligations as a Registered Training Organisation under the Standards for RTOs 2025.
Types of fees
There are two categories of fees associated with your enrolment at TheFCA.
STUDENT SERVICES FEE (SSF)
Is a separate, non-tuition fee charged at enrolment. It contributes to the student support services TheFCA provides outside of direct training delivery — including your student portal access, orientation, student welfare support, and administrative services. The SSF is charged once per enrolment period and is not refundable after the census date
TUITION FEES
Are the primary cost of your training. They cover your course delivery, timetabled training sessions, access to TheFCA's facilities, your formally assessed learning materials, and the coordination of your industry placement. Tuition fees are published on each individual course page on the TheFCA website and are confirmed in your Letter of Offer prior to enrolment.
Additional costs
The following costs are not included in your tuition fee or Student Services Fee. You should budget for these before your course commences.
Uniforms and personal protective equipment
TheFCA students are required to wear the uniform during all on-campus sessions and industry placements. A uniform package is available for purchase through TheFCA at enrolment.
Personal knife kit and kitchen tools
Depending on your qualification, you will be required to purchase a personal knife kit and a small set of kitchen tools. A recommended equipment list is provided prior to enrolment. TheFCA can advise on preferred suppliers.
Learning materials
Core learning resources are available through the TheFCA student portal. Where printed workbooks or supplementary materials are required, this will be advised in your course information pack before enrolment.
Unique Student Identifier (USI)
Free to create at usi.gov.au. Required before TheFCA can issue any certificate or statement of attainment.
Overseas Student Health Cover — international students only
OSHC is a visa requirement and is not included in your tuition fee. It is arranged directly between you and an approved OSHC provider before you travel to Australia.
Fee schedules and instalment payments
TheFCA does not require full upfront payment for any qualification. Fees are structured as installments aligned to your training progress and are set out in your Letter of Offer and Enrolment Agreement before you confirm your enrolment.
Domestic students
Domestic students are invoiced by instalment at the commencement of each study period. Your payment schedule is confirmed in your Enrolment Agreement.
International students
International students are invoiced in line with the requirements of the ESOS Act. No more than 50% of the total tuition fee will be collected before your course commences. Remaining instalments are issued progressively across your study schedule. The full payment schedule is set out in your Written Agreement.
We're Here to Help
If you need to discuss your installment schedule for any reason, contact Student Services before a payment falls due.
VET census dates and payment deadlines
The census date is a critical administrative deadline that applies to VET qualifications delivered under government funding arrangements, including VET Student Loans (VSL).
What the census date means for you:
The census date is the last day on which you can withdraw from a unit of competency without incurring a fee liability for that unit. If you withdraw before the census date, you will not be charged for that unit. If you remain enrolled after the census date, the full fee for that unit is payable.
For students using a VET Student Loan, the census date is also the date on which your loan debt for that study period is formally incurred. Withdrawing before the census means no debt is recorded for those units.
Census dates are published on the TheFCA academic calendar and communicated to enrolled students at the start of each study period. It is your responsibility to be aware of the census date applicable to each unit you are enrolled in.
Key actions before the census date:
- Confirm you intend to continue in all enrolled units
- Ensure your payment or VET Student Loan request is in order
- Notify TheFCA in writing if you wish to withdraw from any unit before the date passes
How to pay
All fees are invoiced by TheFCA and payable by the due date on your invoice. TheFCA accepts the following payment methods:
Bank transfer (EFT)
Preferred method for all payments. Bank account details are provided on your invoice. Include your student ID and invoice number as the payment reference.
Credit or debit card
Visa and Mastercard accepted. Payments can be made online through the TheFCA student portal or by contacting Student Services.
BPAY
Available for domestic students. Your BPAY biller code and reference number are printed on your invoice.
International wire transfer
Available for international students making payments from overseas. Please allow sufficient processing time before your due date and include your student ID as the transfer reference. Currency conversion fees and international transfer charges are the responsibility of the student.
Late payments
Invoices are due by the date stated on the document. If a payment will be late, contact Student Services in advance. Enrolment may be placed on hold for students with outstanding unpaid invoices where no arrangement has been communicated.
TheFCA does not accept cash payments under any circumstances.
Fee adjustments for Credit Transfer and RPL
If you receive approved Credit Transfer (CT) or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at the time of enrolment, your tuition fee will be adjusted to reflect only the units you are required to complete. Fee adjustments are applied before your payment schedule is issued, so your Letter of Offer will already reflect the reduced total.
If RPL is assessed progressively after enrolment commences and additional units are recognised, any resulting credit is applied to your outstanding fee balance at that point.
You will not be charged for units that have been formally recognized.
VET STUDENT LOANS (VSL)
Eligible domestic students enrolled in approved Diploma and Advanced Diploma qualifications may defer part or all of their tuition fees through a VET Student Loan.
A VSL is an income-contingent loan — repayments only begin once your income exceeds the government's minimum threshold.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must:
- Be an Australian citizen, hold a permanent humanitarian visa, or meet specific eligibility criteria as a New Zealand citizen.
- Satisfy academic suitability requirements.
- Not have exceeded your VSL loan cap for the relevant qualification.
Before Accepting a Loan
TheFCA will provide you with all required VSL information at enrolment, including the VSL Information Booklet.
You are encouraged to read all VSL materials carefully before accepting a loan and to seek independent financial advice if needed.
More information is available at studyassist.gov.au.
SKILLS FIRST — SUBSIDISED TRAINING
Depending on your qualification and individual circumstances, you may be eligible for a government-subsidised training place under Victoria's Skills First program.
Subsidised places significantly reduce your tuition fee.
Eligibility Assessment
Prior qualifications
Employment status
Citizenship
The qualification you are enrolling in
Our Admissions team will advise you on whether a subsidised place is available and whether you may be eligible before you accept a full-fee offer.
CONCESSION RATES
Students holding a valid concession card — including a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card — may be eligible for a reduced fee rate on eligible qualifications. Evidence of concession status must be provided at the time of enrolment.
Refunds
TheFCA's full refund policy is set out in your Enrolment Agreement (domestic students) and Written Agreement (international students). The following outlines the key principles.
If TheFCA cancels your course
You are entitled to a full refund of all prepaid tuition fees for the undelivered portion of your course, regardless of your student type. TheFCA will contact you directly and initiate the refund process without requiring you to apply.
If you withdraw before your course commences
A partial refund may apply depending on how much notice is provided and whether any administrative processing has occurred. The specific conditions and applicable timeframes are set out in your Enrolment Agreement.
If you withdraw after your course commences
A partial refund may be calculated based on the proportion of the course not yet delivered at the date of your written withdrawal notice. Conditions and calculation methods are detailed in your Enrolment Agreement. Withdrawals must be submitted in writing.
Non-refundable fees
A non-refundable administration fee applies to all enrolments, regardless of the circumstances of withdrawal. This amount is clearly stated in your Enrolment Agreement before you confirm your enrolment.
Student Services Fee (SSF)
The SSF is non-refundable after the census date for the relevant enrollment period.
International students
TheFCA's refund obligations to international students are governed by the ESOS Act 2000 and the National Code 2018. International students who disagree with a refund decision have the right to access TheFCA's internal Complaints and Appeals process. If the matter is not resolved internally, it may be referred to the Overseas Student Ombudsman at ombudsman.gov.au/oso.
How to request a refund
Submit your refund request in writing to fees@thefca.edu.au, including:
- your student ID
- the reason for your request
- any supporting documentation.
Approved refunds are processed within 28 days of a completed written request being received and assessed.
Key dates
Enrolment dates, census dates, term commencement dates, and payment due dates are published on the TheFCA academic calendar. It is your responsibility to be familiar with the dates that apply to your enrollment.
Census dates in particular are critical — missing this deadline may result in a fee liability or a VSL debt being recorded for units you intended to withdraw from. If you are unsure which census date applies to you, contact Student Services immediately.
