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TAFE SA

Adelaide, Australia · Public · Est. Not stated on the pages reviewed

Updated 28 Oct 2026

Talk to our counsellorCall usOfficial website (opens in a new tab)

Established

Not stated on the pages reviewed

Type

Public

Location

Adelaide, Australia

Ranking

Not ranked

Photo: DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0

About the university

TAFE SA is South Australia's government-backed TAFE and one of Australia's largest vocational education and training providers. International students can take certificates, diplomas and advanced diplomas, two-year Associate Degrees in engineering, a Bachelor of Tourism, Hospitality and Events Management, and English courses. Indian students mostly look at its engineering Associate Degrees, IT and cyber security courses, nursing, and hospitality and cookery.

Fees are lower than at most universities: a one-year IT diploma costs A$16,270 in tuition for the 2027 intake, and the engineering Associate Degrees A$42,880 for two years. Many courses come as University Packaged Programs, where you get one offer covering the TAFE SA course and a nominated degree at a South Australian university, with credit for what you have already studied.

Type
Government-backed TAFE (vocational education and training provider) in South Australia
International students
Hundreds enrol each year, from more than 70 countries (TAFE SA figure)
Campuses for international courses
Adelaide City, Adelaide College of the Arts, Regency Park, Tonsley, Gilles Plains and Urrbrae
Course levels
Certificate III to Advanced Diploma, Associate Degrees, one Bachelor's degree, and English courses
Intakes
Mostly January and July; some courses January only
University pathways
University Packaged Programs with South Australian universities

Rankings

    Popular courses with Indian students

    View all 16 courses with filters

    Fees for international students

    Course fees
    CourseDurationFee / year (AUD)Approx. in rupees
    Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering2 years full-time (4 semesters)A$21,440≈ ₹13.9 lakh
    Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering2 years full-timeA$21,440≈ ₹13.9 lakh
    Associate Degree in Civil and Structural Engineering (Design Drafting)2 years full-timeA$21,440≈ ₹13.9 lakh
    Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121)92 weeks including holidays (3.5 semesters)A$21,814≈ ₹14.2 lakh
    Certificate IV in Cyber Security (22603VIC)1 year full-timeA$16,270≈ ₹10.6 lakh
    Diploma of Information Technology (Cyber Security)52 weeks including holidays (2 semesters)A$16,270≈ ₹10.6 lakh
    Certificate IV in Information Technology (Programming)1 year full-timeA$16,270≈ ₹10.6 lakh
    Diploma of Information Technology (Advanced Programming)52 weeks including holidays (2 semesters)A$16,270≈ ₹10.6 lakh

    Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.

    Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at TAFE SA with similar universities in Australia.

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    Scholarships

    • Courses of two years or more

      International Scholarship (2026 round)

      Value: A$2,000 off tuition, credited in two A$1,000 instalments

      Eligibility: New international students starting before 30 June 2027 in study of two years or more (at least two full semesters enrolled). Offer must be accepted and paid by 30 October 2026; first come, first served.

      Official page (opens in a new tab)
    • Courses under two years

      Relocation Assistance Scholarship

      Value: A$500 towards relocation costs

      Eligibility: New international students starting before 30 June 2027 in study of under two years (at least one full semester). Offer must be accepted and paid by 30 October 2026; claimed after starting.

      Official page (opens in a new tab)
    • Degree after a TAFE SA packaged pathway

      TAFE SA & Adelaide University Packages Scholarship

      Value: 25%, 15% or 10% off Adelaide University tuition for the length of the degree

      Eligibility: Students who progress from a TAFE SA packaged course to an eligible Adelaide University degree; full criteria are on Adelaide University's website.

      Official page (opens in a new tab)

    Admission requirements

    Undergraduate

    • Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Associate Degrees and the Bachelor's degree need Year 12 or equivalent (Class 12); Certificate IV needs Year 11 and Certificate III Year 10.
    • Minimum 50% in all subjects, or 60% for Bachelor's and Associate Degrees, nursing and dental courses.
    • For India, TAFE SA lists CBSE and CISCE and asks for 70% or higher in the top four subjects (at least three academic subjects and one non-academic subject, excluding your native language).
    • Engineering Associate Degrees need Year 12 maths (or the Certificate III in Engineering – Technical first).
    • You must be 17 or older when the course starts (18 for the Diploma of Nursing).

    Postgraduate

    • TAFE SA's international course list has no postgraduate courses.

    Documents

    • Passport
    • Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (including any resit results)
    • IELTS, PTE Academic or other accepted English test result
    • Portfolio, audition or aptitude test where the course asks for one
    • Criminal history screening and immunisations before nursing placements

    Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.

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    English language requirements

    English requirements
    Test or routeTypical requirement
    Most coursesAcademic IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.0 in all bands, or equivalent (check each course page)
    PTE Academic47 overall is accepted as equal to IELTS 6.0 (5.0 in all bands)
    Other accepted testsTOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, LANGUAGECERT Academic, MET and OET. Duolingo is not listed.
    Diploma of NursingIELTS 7.0 (6.5 in writing) or PTE Academic 63 with band minimums, set by AHPRA
    WaiverOnly for at least one year of Year 12-level study or above in a CRICOS course in Australia within the last two years. No waiver for Class 12 English is listed.

    Accommodation and living costs

    TAFE SA has no halls for most students. Its accommodation page points to homestay, student residences such as Unilodge and Scape, Regency International House at the Regency Park campus, share housing and private rental, and to StudyAdelaide for more help. It does not publish prices; private rentals need a bond of about four weeks' rent.

    Accommodation and living costs
    ItemIn AUDApprox. in rupees

    Campus and location

    International courses are taught at six campuses in and around Adelaide, each focused on certain subjects.

    • Adelaide City: IT, cyber security, marketing, nursing and English courses.
    • Regency Park: engineering Associate Degrees, hospitality, cookery, tourism and community services.
    • Tonsley: interior design, drafting and building; some engineering teaching.
    • Adelaide College of the Arts: visual arts, graphic design and screen and media.
    • Gilles Plains: nursing, dental technology and dental hygiene; Urrbrae: horticulture and conservation.

    Careers and graduate outcomes

    TAFE SA's courses are practical and job-focused, and many lead on to university through University Packaged Programs with guaranteed entry to a nominated degree. TAFE SA says work placements can lead to part-time jobs. It publishes no graduate outcome figures on the pages reviewed. See our Australia guide for work rules and post-study work.

    Graduate outcomes
    WhatFigureSource

    Studying in Australia

    Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Australia. Our country guide covers them in detail:

    Other universities in Australia

    Compare all universities in Australia

    FAQs

    How much does TAFE SA cost for international students?

    For the 2027 intake, a one-year IT or cyber security course costs A$16,270 in tuition, and the two-year engineering Associate Degrees A$42,880 in total. Some courses add incidental fees for books, equipment or checks.

    Can I move from TAFE SA to a university?

    Yes, many courses are sold as University Packaged Programs. You get an offer for the TAFE SA course and a nominated degree at a South Australian university, with credit for your TAFE SA study.

    What marks do I need from India?

    TAFE SA asks Indian applicants for 70% or higher in their top four subjects, and also sets 50% (or 60% for degrees, nursing and dental) in all subjects. Check your course page for extra rules.

    When are the intakes?

    Most courses start in January and July. Dental courses, some screen and media courses and the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care start in January only.

    Sources

    1. TAFE SA: international students (opens in a new tab)
    2. TAFE SA: international courses list (2027 fees) (opens in a new tab)
    3. TAFE SA: international entry requirements (opens in a new tab)
    4. TAFE SA: international scholarships (opens in a new tab)
    5. TAFE SA: accommodation (opens in a new tab)
    6. TAFE SA: Diploma of Nursing (international) (opens in a new tab)
    7. TAFE SA: Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering (international) (opens in a new tab)
    8. TAFE SA: Bachelor of Tourism, Hospitality and Events Management (international) (opens in a new tab)

    Official website: www.tafesa.edu.au (opens in a new tab)

    Check the latest details

    We researched this page on 28 Oct 2026. Fees, entry requirements and scholarships change every year, so confirm them on the university's website before you apply. Listing a university doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents it.

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