TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA)

What TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA) does

TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA) is a government state entity operating as a unit within the Western Australian Department of Training and Workforce Development, headquartered at 1 Prospect Place, West Perth. TIWA functions as the sole Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and CRICOS provider (CRICOS code 00020G) for international students enrolling in vocational education courses at Western Australian TAFE colleges and government schools. The organisation is regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) under the ESOS Framework and delivers nationally recognised qualifications across 13 study areas including Early Childhood Education, Nursing, Engineering, Hospitality, Digital Media, and Maritime, through five TAFE colleges: North Metropolitan TAFE, South Metropolitan TAFE, Central Regional TAFE, North Regional TAFE, and South Regional TAFE.

The core technology and operating model is a competency-based vocational education delivery platform supported by an online application portal (portals.tafeinternational.wa.edu.au/apply), promotional materials in 12 languages, and integration with Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel for recruitment marketing. Supporting product offerings include a degree pathways program packaging TAFE diplomas with university bachelor degrees, English language courses, study area guides, and the AUD$5,000 Regional Bursary for students enrolling at regional WA TAFE colleges in 2027 or 2028. Pricing is tuition-based per course (e.g., AUD$13,752 indicative tuition for the CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care) plus resources and materials fees, with tuition reviewed annually.

Revenue is generated primarily from international student tuition fees through a hybrid distribution model combining direct online applications and a global network of registered education agents, supported by official partnerships with StudyPerth and Study Australia (Australian Trade and Investment Commission). The organisation serves three customer segments: international students (primary, persona), the five WA TAFE colleges (delivery partners), and WA Government schools (placement coordination with the Department of Education). TIWA is not venture-backed, PE-owned, or publicly traded, and revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA)

Legal name

TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA)

Website

https://tafeinternational.wa.edu.au

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA) is a government unit within the WA Department of Training and Workforce Development that recruits international students for vocational courses at five WA TAFE colleges and government schools, operating as the sole CRICOS provider under ASQA regulation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

West Perth

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. International Student Tuition Fees: TIWA charges tuition fees for internationally recognised TAFE courses delivered by Western Australian TAFE colleges. Fees vary by course and campus, with tuition fees reviewed annually.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

TIWA is the unit within the Western Australian Department of Training and Workforce Development responsible for recruiting and admitting international students to study at WA TAFE colleges and Government schools. It delivers nationally recognised vocational education and training courses across 13 study areas (Accounting and Business, Animal Care and Aquaculture, Automotive Engineering, Aviation, Building and Construction, Creative Industries, Digital Media and IT, Early Childhood Education, Environmental Monitoring, Health and Beauty, Hospitality, Maritime, and Nursing) through five WA TAFE colleges. Courses are accredited under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) with competency-based assessment.

Product overview

TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA) operates as the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and CRICOS provider for international student education across Western Australia. The core offering comprises TAFE vocational courses delivered by five regional TAFE colleges (North Metropolitan TAFE, South Metropolitan TAFE, Central Regional TAFE, North Regional TAFE, South Regional TAFE) and WA Government school placements. Supporting offerings include the AUD$5,000 Regional Bursary for regional study, degree pathway programs linking TAFE diplomas to university degrees, English language courses, and digital application services. Courses span 13 study areas including early childhood education, hospitality, nursing, automotive, creative industries, and digital media. The organization is regulated by ASQA and operates under the ESOS Framework.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TAFE Courses for International Students Nationally recognised vocational education and training courses delivered across five WA TAFE colleges (North Metropolitan TAFE, South Metropolitan TAFE, Central Regional TAFE, North Regional TAFE, South Regional TAFE) to international students, spanning 13 study areas including Accounting and Business, Animal Care and Aquaculture, Automotive Engineering, Aviation, Building and Construction, Creative Industries, Digital Media and IT, Early Childhood Education, Environmental Monitoring, Health and Beauty, Hospitality, Maritime, and Nursing.
• Western Australian Government Schools Placement Placement services for international students into WA Government schools, managed by TIWA in line with the Department of Education's Enrolment of Overseas Student Schedule. Targeted at international school-age students seeking primary or secondary education in Western Australia.
• English Language Courses English language training programs for international students to meet admission requirements for TAFE courses and improve employability.
• Degree Pathways Program allowing students to package a TAFE diploma with a university bachelor degree for streamlined higher education progression in Australia.
• Online Application Portal Digital platform enabling prospective international students to submit applications online for TAFE courses and WA Government schools. The portal supports the six-step application process: find a course, check entry requirements, submit an application, accept offer and pay, apply for student visa, and receive visa to come to Australia.
• AUD$5,000 Regional TAFE Bursary Financial support program offering AUD$5,000 to international students studying at regional TAFE colleges in Western Australia in 2027 or 2028 to encourage regional study and address skills demand.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates receive nationally recognised qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Study PerthcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTIWA is part of the StudyPerth initiative that promotes Perth and Western Australia as an outstanding study destination for international students. This partnership supports recruitment efforts by positioning Perth competitively against other Australian study destinations.
• Study Australia (Australian Trade and Investment Commission)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerTIWA is a recognised provider with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission's Study Australia resource for international students, and is a licensed user of the Study Australia brand. This provides official government backing and global visibility.
• North Metropolitan TAFEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of five WA TAFE colleges delivering nationally recognised vocational training to international students on TIWA's behalf. TIWA retains responsibility for quality of training and assessment.
• South Metropolitan TAFEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of five WA TAFE colleges delivering nationally recognised vocational training to international students on TIWA's behalf. TIWA retains responsibility for quality of training and assessment.
• Central Regional TAFEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional TAFE college delivering courses to international students at campuses including Geraldton and Kalgoorlie. Delivers CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care among other courses.
• North Regional TAFEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of five WA TAFE colleges delivering nationally recognised vocational training to international students on TIWA's behalf in regional Western Australia.
• South Regional TAFEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional TAFE college delivering courses to international students at campuses including Albany, Bunbury, Mandurah, and Northam. Delivers CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care among other courses.
• Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)coreOthersTIWA is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) regulated by the Australian Government's Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). ASQA ensures compliance with national training standards.
• Department of Education (Western Australia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTIWA manages placement of international students into WA Government schools in line with the Department of Education's Enrolment of Overseas Student Schedule. TIWA operates under the WA Department of Training and Workforce Development.
• Registered Education AgentscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTIWA has an extensive global network of registered education agents contracted to recruit international students on its behalf. TIWA is seeking to increase agent representation in countries without adequate coverage.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Navitas: Large private provider of international education pathways, English language programs, and university partnership courses. Competes with TIWA across pathway products and English language offerings, with greater marketing scale and global reach.
• IDP Education: Global international student placement and English testing business that places students into Australian VET and higher education institutions. Functions as both a competitor (English testing, pathway products) and a channel partner for TIWA's agent-driven recruitment.
• Study Group: Private international education provider offering pathway, English language, and direct-entry programs globally. Comparable business model to TIWA's pathway and English language offerings, with deeper agent and digital marketing infrastructure.
• Kaplan International: Global provider of English language training, university pathways, and vocational preparation. Overlaps with TIWA's English Language Courses and degree pathway products, with broader geographic footprint and digital marketing scale.

Emerging players

• INTO University Partnerships: Specialised pathway provider partnering with universities to deliver foundation and diploma programs for international students. Adjacent competitor in the TAFE-to-degree pathway category where TIWA's degree pathways product competes for the same uplift in student lifetime value.
• Stanley College: Western Australia-based private vocational college with CRICOS registration delivering courses to international students. Local Perth competitor overlapping with TIWA on hospitality, business, ECE, and IT vocational offerings.

Direct peers

• TAFE SA International: International arm of TAFE South Australia, recruiting international students into vocational qualifications across SA campuses. Closely comparable state-owned VET international provider competing for the same cohort.
• TAFE Queensland International: International arm of TAFE Queensland, delivering nationally recognised vocational courses to international students across Queensland campuses. Mirrors TIWA's state-government-backed VET international recruitment model.
• Melbourne Polytechnic International: Victorian TAFE-equivalent international student operation offering vocational diplomas and certificates to overseas learners. Comparable in scope (VET delivery, pathway to university, English language support) and competitive in the same Australian international VET market.
• TAFE NSW International: International arm of NSW's TAFE network, recruiting international students into vocational courses delivered across NSW TAFE campuses. Directly comparable as a state-government-owned international VET provider competing for the same applicant pool.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/StudyInPerthTAFEInternationalWesternAustralia
• Facebookfacebook.com/TAFEInternationalWesternAustralia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/tafe-international-western-australia
• Instagraminstagram.com/tafe_international_wa

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA)