Online Courses Cost in Perth (2026)
Quick Answer
Estimated rangeIn Perth, online course costs vary widely by provider and qualification level. Short non-award online courses commonly start from about AUD 30 to AUD 500, while accredited VET and university online study can run from roughly AUD 1,000 per unit to well over AUD 10,000 per course or year. For Perth-based options, Open Universities Australia lists Curtin online undergraduate units from AUD 2,187.50 each, and North Metropolitan TAFE lists several online short courses from AUD 30 to AUD 395.
Overview
The cost of online courses in Perth depends mainly on whether you want a short skills course, a TAFE qualification, or a university degree studied online. Perth learners often use a mix of local providers such as North Metropolitan TAFE and South Metropolitan TAFE, WA universities offering online or flexible study, and national platforms such as Open Universities Australia. Short online professional or hobby courses are usually the cheapest, often under AUD 500, while accredited vocational training and higher education subjects cost substantially more. For university study connected to Perth institutions, Curtin University’s online units listed through Open Universities Australia provide a useful benchmark, with undergraduate units priced per subject rather than as a single course fee. TAFE short courses can be much cheaper, especially for self-paced introductory training. Domestic and international pricing can differ significantly for full qualifications at universities and some VET providers, but many short online courses simply publish one enrolment fee regardless of residency. In Western Australia, government-subsidised training and fee-free initiatives can reduce costs for eligible domestic students, though availability depends on the exact course and funding rules. Because course fees change by intake, subject load and provider policy, checking the provider’s official fee page before enrolling is important.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| North Metropolitan TAFE online short courses(per course) Examples on the official short courses page include online courses priced from around AUD 30 up to around AUD 395. Estimated range | ~A$30 – A$395 | Estimated range |
| Curtin University online undergraduate unit via Open Universities Australia(per unit) Official listing shows undergraduate units at AUD 2,187.50 each for this Curtin online degree entry. Estimated range | ~A$2,187.5 – A$2,187.5 | Estimated range |
| Curtin University online postgraduate unit via Open Universities Australia(per unit) Official listing shows postgraduate units at AUD 2,262.50 each for this Curtin online degree entry. Estimated range | ~A$2,262.5 – A$2,262.5 | Estimated range |
| Typical short non-award online course in Perth(per course) Estimated range based on publicly listed short-course pricing from WA TAFE providers and common market rates for self-paced online skills courses. Estimated range | ~A$50 – A$500 | Estimated range |
| Typical accredited online VET qualification or skill set in WA(per course) Estimated range based on common Australian VET pricing patterns; actual WA fees vary by subsidy eligibility, qualification level and nominal hours. Estimated range | ~A$500 – A$5,000 | Estimated range |
| Typical full online university study cost(per year) Estimated annual range based on Australian domestic university online study costs across undergraduate and postgraduate coursework, using per-unit pricing benchmarks such as Curtin via Open Universities Australia. Estimated range | ~A$8,000 – A$30,000 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Digital learning materials or LMS access
- Tutor or lecturer support in many accredited courses
- Assessment and certification for completed units in many paid courses
Regulator / licensing: Training Accreditation Council Western Australia
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Online courses in Perth can range from a few hours for a short course, to 6-12 weeks for a single university unit, to 6-12 months or more for larger VET programmes, and several years for a full degree studied part-time or full-time.
How Fees Work
Fees may be charged per short course, per unit, per semester or per full qualification. University online study is commonly priced per unit, while TAFE and short-course providers often publish one total enrolment fee.
Factors Affecting Price
- Whether the course is a short non-award class, TAFE/VET qualification, or university subject/degree
- Domestic eligibility for subsidies, fee-free places or Commonwealth-supported arrangements
- Subject area, with business and general skills often cheaper than specialised professional or postgraduate study
- Course duration and number of units or nominal hours
- Provider type, such as TAFE, university or private online training organisation
Local Context
Perth students usually pay in Australian dollars, and there is no tipping element involved in course pricing. Costs can differ between WA TAFEs, local universities and national online platforms, and eligible domestic learners may access subsidised or fee-free training that is not available to everyone. For university study, HECS-HELP or other Commonwealth arrangements may affect how domestic students pay, even when the underlying unit price is fixed.
These are data-informed estimate ranges, not confirmed prices.
Costs like this vary widely by job, location, timing and provider, so there is no single fixed price. The ranges here are based on typical market rates to give you a realistic ballpark. For an exact figure for your situation, get a quote or check the official source below.
All prices are in AUD and usually quoted per course, per unit or per year depending on the provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest kind of online course in Perth?+
Usually a short non-award online course from a TAFE or training provider. Verified WA examples start at about AUD 30, while many basic skills courses sit below AUD 500.
Are online university courses in Perth charged per course or per subject?+
Often per subject or unit. For example, Curtin online study listed through Open Universities Australia shows pricing per unit, with verified examples above AUD 2,100 per unit.
Do domestic and international students pay the same for online courses?+
Not always. Full university and some accredited VET courses may have different domestic and international fee structures, but many short online courses simply publish one advertised fee for all learners.
Can WA residents get subsidised online training?+
Sometimes, yes. In Western Australia, selected vocational courses may be subsidised or fee-free for eligible students, but the exact discount depends on the course, your eligibility and current government funding settings.
Are online course fees in Perth GST-inclusive?+
Many advertised education prices in Australia are shown in Australian dollars as the payable student fee, but GST treatment depends on the course type. Accredited education is often GST-free, while some short commercial training may include GST.
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