Entry requirements
Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE considers a number of factors when assessing applications for entry to a Diploma or Certificate.
Age entry requirements
English language entry requirements
Academic entry requirements
Visa requirements
Overseas student health cover (OHSC)
Age entry requirements
- 17 years. Students under the age of 18 must be cared for by a parent or legal guardian, suitable nominated relative or TNQ TAFE approved caregiver while undertaking study in Australia. Contact the International Student Unit for more information.
- 18 years
- 21 years (mature aged entry)
English language entry requirements
For international students whose first language is not English, one of the following is required:
|
Test |
Results |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic or General | 5.5 | Minimum individual band 5.0 | ||||
| Pearson Test of English Academic | 43 - 49 | |||||
| Cambridge Certificates | FCE (A or B pass) | CAE | CPE | |||
| EIKEN | Grade Pre-1 | Grade 1 | ||||
| International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR) | 3 | Minimum 3 in all macro skills | ||||
| TOEFL | PBT 530 | CBT 195 | IBT 75 | |||
| OR successful completion of: | ||||||
| Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation delivered by Tropical North Queensland TAFE | ||||||
| TAFE Queensland English for Academic Purposes, Certificate IV in English, or Sound Achievement or equivalent in Year 12 English in an Australian high school | ||||||
| Successful completion of an acceptable formal course (not an English course) taught in English in an English-speaking country, e.g. USA, Canada or UK | ||||||
| Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE has English language direct-entry agreements with Union Institute of Language (UIL), Kaplan International College, Navitas, Sun Pacific College, and GV Sydney (Universal English Centre) | ||||||
English language entry requirements for Diploma of Nursing
|
Test |
Results |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic or General | 6.5 | Minimum individual band 6.0 | |
| Pearson Test of English Academic | Minimum 64 | ||
| TOEFL | PBT 577 | CBT 233 | IBT 90 |
Results will only be accepted within published validity periods (e.g. up to two years from test date for IELTS).
Students from Assessment Level 3 and 4 countries must meet the DIAC English language and academic eligibility requirements as required on the Australian Government, Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.
Please send certified copies of your English language results to the international Student Unit together with your completed and signed application form.
Students who do not meet the above English requirements for direct entry can study an English pathway consisting of General English and/or English for Academic Purposes at JCU Pathway College and will be offered a package of English and vocational programs at the time of applying.
If you would like to know more about English pathways, please contact the International Student Unit.
Academic entry requirements
International students must have the equivalent level of overseas schooling to Australian schooling:
- Certificate II or III: 10 years of schooling (or equivalent) with passes in mathematics and English
- Certificate IV or Diploma: 12 years of schooling (or equivalent) with passes in mathematics and English or completion of Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation at Tropical North Queensland TAFE
- Mature-aged entry with relevant work experience
| Country | Certificate II and III | Certificate IV and Diploma | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Year 10 with passes in Maths, English | Year 12 with passes in Maths, English | |
| China - Mainland | Senior Middle School Diploma | National Senior High School Graduation Examination | |
| Hong Kong | 10 + 1 minimum 50% average | Hong Kong Advanced Level (Form 7) | |
| India | 10 + 1 minimum 50% average | Indian School Certificate (ISC Standard 12) All India Senior School Certificate (Standard 12) State-issued qualifications for Year 10 + 2 | |
| Japan | Upper Secondary School Certificate Grade 2 (Year 11) | Kotogakko/Upper Secondary School Certificate/Shomeisho | |
| Malaysia | Equivalent to Australian Year 10 | UEC Senior 2 passes in the Sigil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) Matrikulasi | |
| Philippines | Equivalent to Australian Year 10 | High School Diploma + 2 years of University | |
| EIKEN | Grade Pre-1 | Grade 1 | |
| Papua New Guinea | Secondary School Leaving Certificate | High School Certificate (minimum 4 'C' grades) | |
| South Korea | Upper Secondary School Certificate Grade 2 (Year 11) | Upper Secondary School Certificate Grade 3 (Year 12) | |
| Taiwan | Equivalent to Australian Year 10 | Senior High School Leaving Certificate | |
| Thailand | Matayom 5 | Matayom 6 or Certificate in Vocational Education | |
| Vietnam | Equivalent to Australian Year 10 | Senior Secondary Vocational Diploma | |
| Other | Equivalent to Australian Year 10 | Equivalent to Australian Year 12 | |
Tropical North Queensland TAFE is able to check if you meet the academic entry requirements from any country using Country Education Profiles Online. If you are unsure about meeting the entry requirements, please contact the International Student Unit.
Please send certified copies of your academic certificates to the international Student Unit together with your completed and signed application form.
Please note the Tropical North Queensland TAFE reserves the right to accept or deny entry.
Visa requirements
International students must enrol into CRICOS registered, full-time courses at TNQ TAFE to apply for a student visa.
The applicable visa depends on your program or package of programs. The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has a visa options page to help you select the correct visa. Students that only undertake vocational studies should apply for the VET572 subclass. Correct and current information for potential students about student visas and how to apply is available from DIAC.
International students on a tourist/visitor or working holiday visa can enrol in part-time or short courses at TNQ TAFE. If you would like to know more about short term study options, please contact the International Student Unit.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) requirement
It is a condition of your Student Visa that you, and family members attached to your visa, maintain approved Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) while in Australia.
You may choose your own health care provider or you can simply pay the OSHC premium as prescribed by your Letter of Officer directly to Tropical North Queensland TAFE. We have an arrangement with Medibank Private , who provide us with a rebate. The OSHC premiums you pay remain the same and you have the added benefit of the service provided by the International Student Unit to set up your cover.
We will forward your payment to Medibank who will provide you with your medical insurance cover. Your cover will be noted on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment, so you will not need to wait for your cover and provide the details to DIAC, which you must do when arranging your own cover. Your OSHC card and information pack will be ready for you to collect from the International Student Unit upon your arrival.
The length of OSHC cover is calculated based on the following:
| Arrival in Australia | Course duration | After study | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month before commencement | 10 months or less | 1 additional month | |
| 1 month before commencement | Longer than 10 months | 2 additional months | |
| 1 month before commencement | Longer than 10 months finishing between October and December | Additional cover until 15 March the following year | |
If you would like to know more about OSHC and answers to Frequently Asked Questions, visit the Australian Department of Health and Ageing.