Entry requirements
Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE considers a number of factors when assessing applications for entry to a formal course.
Age requirements
Visa requirements
Overseas student health cover (OHSC)
English language entry requirements
Academic entry requirements
Age requirements
Students wishing to study with Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE must be a minimum of 16 years of age.
Visa requirements
International students must have a student visa to enrol into full-time courses at Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE.
International students on a tourist/visitor or working holiday visa can enrol in part-time or short courses at Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE.
International students need a student visa to study in Australia for more than 3 months.
'Short stay' visas apply for students studying in Australia for less than 3 months.
A 'student' visa is a temporary visa issued to non-australian residents. It is only granted to students who are enrolled in a registered, full time course in Australia
International students are generally issued with a multiple entry visa for the duration of their study in Australia. It lets them travel to and from Australia within the visa period
Learn more about student visa's by visiting the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.
Overseas student health cover (OSHC)
International students studying in Australia are required to have Overseas Student Health Cover (medical insurance) for the duration of their visa. Contact our International Student Unit for more information
English language entry requirements
For international students whose first language is not English, the required minimum English language levels can be one of the following:
- IELTS 5.5 (Academic or General Module) with no individual score less than 5.0
- TOEFL: 530 (paper based test) 197 (computer based score) Must include writing test
- successful completion of English for Academic Purposes from Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE
- ISLPR 3
- TAFE Queensland Certificate IV in English
- Cambridge First Certificate of English (A or B grade)
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency
- successful completion of an acceptable formal course (not ELICOS) where the medium of instruction is English
- Sound Achievement or equivalent, year 12 English in an Australian School
Special consideration may be given to students for certain certificate courses with TAFE Queensland. All such cases are subject to approval by the International Student Unit. Please contact the International Student Unit for information on English language tests in Cairns. Please Note:
- test results are regarded as valid for 12 months only
- Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE will accept ISLPR results from approved TAFE Queensland, Griffith University, or QUT test centres only
- original documentary evidence or certified copies must be provided.
Other evidence of English language ability may be accepted in special cases.
Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE reserves the right to accept or deny entry.
Academic entry requirements
Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE will consider a number of factors when assessing your application to enter a formal course. In regards to your academic history, the minimum requirements can be one of the following (as listed in each course description).
- Certificate II or III: 10 years of schooling (or equivalent) with passes in mathematics and english.
- Mature-aged entry with work experience in a related field.
- Certificate IV or Diploma: 12 years of schooling (or equivalent) with passes in mathematics and English.
Please send certified copies of your academic certificates to the international Student Unit together with your completed and signed application form.