The cost of TAFE courses has more than quadrupled for Aussies in the last few years. It may even be higher than my guesstimate from when one of my daughters qualified as a chef about 5 years ago.

Back then the fees were around $1,000 per annum. Now the local TAFE (strangely now changed it's name to Melbourne Polytechnic & more actively marketing to OS students) charges around $1400 per term for the same course. 

Even when my daughter attended there the students were predominately "Internationals" from India & Asian countries.

Another daughter received her Master's Degree in Primary Teaching from Melbourne University the 2nd week of December 2016. The number of OS students @ the ceremony was also very high - & these were only Education Masters & Doctoral degrees being conferred. 

What silly politician was it that wanted to market Australia as "The Clever Country?"  I bet he or she also got their degree(s) for free!

2 of my daughters have massive HECS debts from Melb Uni. Neither can get work in their fields (both with Master's degrees) A Psychologist  working as a travel agent & the Primary Teacher & qualified Accountant as a dog trainer! 

The Chef's hubby has Bachelor degrees in both Finance & Law; He got his Master's in Teaching (Primary) at the same time as his Sister-In-Law. Has had to move far rural to get a job in teaching. He took the extra 2 years for his Master's as he couldn't get a job in either field of his other dual degrees.

Where are the jobs for graduates?

The guy that delivered my new couch in November has a PhD in Physics & is working as a truck jockey hauling furniture for the Fantastic chain of stores! I knew him as a geeky teen & was surprised to see him doing such a job!  The biggest surprise was the Melb Uni Law graduate working in a male revue @ a Crown Casino nightclub for hen's night's & such! Another lad I knew as a teen.

In short; Be nice to your "Checkout Chick" or Maccas server - They may be studying for their Master's degrees (as two of my daughters did!) to finance being a student.