On this page:
Who can apply?
Higher Education Providers, who are also Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), must meet the following requirements to be approved as a VET provider:
- Be a body corporate whose principal purpose is to provide education;
- Be an Registered Training Organisations as listed on the National Training Information Service (NTIS);
- Be financially viable and likely to remain financially viable;
- Offer VET accredited diploma and advanced diploma courses* with Credit Transfer
- Arrangements and/or VET accredited graduate certificate and graduate diploma courses;
- Be a member of an approved tuition assurance scheme, hold a guarantee or an exemption from tuition assurance requirements; and
- Have administrative procedures and capacity to meet reporting requirements.
*The only exception to this requirement is where a Registered Training Organisation is registered in Victoria or with the National Audit and Registration Agency and offers at least one of these courses in Victoria. For more information refer to the Extension of VET FEE-HELP in Victoria page.
Are there any publications I should read before I apply?
There are a number of documents applicants should be familiar with prior to and during the application process. These are available to access and/or download from the Useful Publications page:
Note: All of the above publications can be located on the Useful Publications page.
How do I apply?
The VET FEE-HELP IT System (VITS) is available for Registered Training Organisations seeking approval as a VET provider. Organisations must meet specific requirements under Schedule 1A of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 to be approved as a VET provider before their current and future students can access VET FEE-HELP assistance.
The application is designed to be completed in stages. These include sections on Financial Viability, Tuition Assurance, Courses and Credit Transfer Arrangements. You can log out and re-enter the system as many times as you need to add information.
To start your application, visit the VITS. You will be required to complete some preliminary information prior to the provision of a Logon Id and Password to access the system.
A VITS user manual will be available under ‘Help’ when you gain access to the System.
Once you have logged in using your Logon ID and Password, you will be prompted to answer a number of ‘Application Questions’. Questions 2, 3 and 4 are specifically designed for Higher Education Providers. The answers to these questions will automatically alter the application process (removing the financial viability questions), identifying you as a Higher Education Provider applicant.
Note: All information requested by VITS must be completed and required documentation attached before you can submit a VET provider application.
If you are having technical issues with VITS, please log your enquiry with VETFEEHelpDesk@deewr.gov.au
Is the application process different for approved Higher Education Providers?
Yes. Whilst existing Higher Education Providers approved to offer FEE-HELP still need to apply to be approved as a VET provider to offer VET FEE-HELP, the process is slightly altered to recognise the previous information provided for approval to offer FEE-HELP. HEPs will not need to provide a financial viability assessment if they are already approved to offer FEE-HELP.
Once you have logged in using your Logon ID and Password, you will be prompted to answer a number of ‘Application Questions’. Questions 2, 3 and 4 are specifically designed for Higher Education Providers. The answers to these questions will automatically alter the application process (removing the financial viability questions), identifying you as a Higher Education Provider applicant.
How will I know I’ve completed the application process?
VITS is designed to check all relevant fields have been completed and where documentary evidence needs to be attached or uploaded into your application.
You will be prompted if there are sections of the application that remain incomplete. Once you complete the noted sections, it will acknowledge completion prior to ‘submitting’ the application. All applications will be sent to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
[Return to Top]