PTC is an affiliated college of the Australian College of Theology (ACT). ACT fees are set by the ACT on an annual basis. ACT information about tuition fees is available here. PTC fees are set annually by the Theological Education Committee, the committee that oversees the operations of the College.
Domestic fees apply to students who are:
Australian citizens; OR
Australian permanent residents; OR
Holders of any non-student visa for the duration of their course (eg. humanitarian visa, partner visa).
Overseas fees apply to students who are:
not Australian citizens; AND
holders of a student visa
all overseas students are also required to pay an Application fee of $250.00.
Fees are levied in semester increments depending on full-time or part-time enrolment.
A late enrolment fee will be charged when enrolment occurs 2 weeks after Administration Date.
Any outstanding balance at the end of the course will be required before graduation. See the General Fees Policy for information regarding payment of fees.
PCA candidates are eligible for a scholarship which covers 50% of tuition fees. There is a calculation to be made in the way the 50% is applied to pre-semester intensives and semester 1 units.
Certain students are eligible to pay their fees through FEE-HELP, a federal government loans scheme.
Am I eligible for FEE-HELP?
Eligibility depends on your citizenship, residency and course enrolment. Requirements can be found here.
How do I apply for FEE-HELP?
Please read: Apply for Fee-Help online.
Note that you will need to provide a Tax File Number (TFN) to apply for FEE-HELP.
Eligible students studying approved courses (as defined by Centrelink) can access government payments including:
Youth Allowance (21 - 24 years old)
AUSTUDY (25 years old and over)
ABSTUDY (Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent)
Applications should be made directly through the Department of Human Services.
Health Care Card
Many students will qualify for a low-income health care card, which can be applied for through Centrelink. This card provides access to concession fares on Victorian pubic transport, with no further paperwork required.
Tertiary Student Concession
If you do not qualify for a low-income health care card, you can still apply for a tertiary student concession card if you meet the following criteria:
* You are an undergraduate student
* You have a full-time study load
* All of your subjects are on-campus (not online)
* You are an Australian citizen or permanent resident
The application form can be found on the PTV website here, or at most metropolitan train stations.
An authorised signature is required, which can be obtained from the Registrar. Please note that tertiary concession cards have an expiration date and must be reapplied for annually.
Generous donors over many years have provided funds for scholarships and bursaries. These are available to students within the terms stipulated by the donors, and so are available only to students in particular circumstances.
Scholarships that go towards the cost of fees may be available within the following six categories. For categories 3-6, please submit the scholarships application form to the registrar. Categories 1-3 are applied automatically without needing an application form to be submitted.
Category 1: students who are candidates for the Ministry in the Presbyterian Church of Australia or applicants through the Reception of Ministers Committee once accepted by a Presbytery are eligible for a 50% scholarship. The scholarship form is not required; the scholarship will be applied automatically (but please tick the correct box on the unit enrolment form each semester).
Category 2: the wife of any candidate for the Ministry in the Presbyterian Church of Australia is eligible while her husband is studying at PTC for a 25% scholarship for two units per semester. The scholarship form is not required; the scholarship will be applied automatically (but please tick the correct box on the unit enrolment form each semester).
Category 3: Presbyterian Church of Australia ministers in good standing with their Presbytery undertaking postgraduate studies for credit are eligible for a 25% scholarship for unit taken at PTC. The scholarship form is not required; the scholarship will be applied automatically (but please tick the correct box on the unit enrolment form each semester).
Category 4: overseas missionaries recognised by the PCA may be eligible for a scholarship of up to 100% of their fees for study undertaken at PTC while on leave/home assignment. Please apply on the scholarship application form.
Category 5: women endorsed by their Sessions or other Church court or Assembly committee to train to be Presbyterian deaconesses and women in pastoral service may be eligible for a scholarship of up to 50% of their fees for study undertaken at PTC. Please note that this is often still called the ‘deaconess fund’ for historical reasons, but your Session does not need to use the word ‘deaconess’ when endorsing your training. Please apply on the scholarship application form.
Category 6: PCA ministers and candidates for the ministry (including reception of ministers candidates) undertaking postgraduate study at research masters level or higher at PTC may be eligible for a scholarship of up to 25% of their fees, where such study is considered by the Faculty and the TEC to contribute to the long term development of PTC. Please apply on the scholarship application form.
Presbyterian Home Missioners are encouraged to seek support for their studies from the Ministry Development Committee.
Students with a definite ministry aim for studying are encouraged to seek support from their local congregations.
Bursaries helping towards living expenses are available in limited circumstances to candidates for the ministry in the Presbyterian Church, usually only to those who are not receiving AUSTUDY or equivalent. Forms should be submitted by the end of February to be considered at the March meeting of the Theological Education Committee. Late applications may be considered, but note that all funds may already have been allocated.
If you are struggling to pay your fees during your time at PTC, please speak to the Registrar in the first instance to see if a payment plan can be arranged. If you are facing significant financial hardship, please speak to the Registrar, a lecturer, or the Principal, to see if there may be support services available.
PTC would love to be able to help all students with the cost of study but unfortunately cannot provide scholarships to everyone. The Presbyterian Church of Victoria already substantially underwrites the operations of PTC, and one further way in which PTC seeks to assist students is by offering a free package of Logos Bible software. See the Logos information page for more information.
Fees are payable no later than four weeks from the start of the semester, unless prior arrangements have been made with the Principal. PTC reserves the right to instruct the ACT to withhold exam results if fees have not been paid in full, or if special payment arrangements have not been honoured.
Training for the Kingdom of Heaven
