The low concession rate of $55 will be scrapped and students will pay up to $2000 in fees.

Australian Education Union's Victorian deputy vice-president Justin Mullaly said the current year 8 and 9 students of Narre Warren P12 College would be most affected.

"It will devastate a lot of families because many wouldn't be able to afford the fees, particularly students who would have previously been on the low-income concession rate of $55. They will be forced to pay $2000.

"Students from low socio-economic backgrounds are going to find it much harder to attend TAFE under these changes.

"For those not on the concession rate who undertake a diploma or advanced diploma, their fees will triple. As an example, a government-supported Diploma of Disability Work will rise from $877 to $2500 by 2012.

"And for those on concession, their fees will increase from $55 to $2500.

"Further, those over 20 who already have a degree or diploma, will be forced to pay the full cost of further training, which could be more than $10,000."

He told teachers that the impact felt in the south-eastern region and Narre Warren South P-12 would be significant.

"According to the On Track survey of year 12 students who completed in 2008, more than 77per cent of students from Narre Warren South P-12 were in the vocational education and training sector.

"This was the third-highest proportion in the south-eastern region and more than twice the Victoria-wide proportion of 36 per cent."

But a State Government spokesman said almost 60 per cent of fees would be the same.

He said people on low incomes could still apply for concessions and opt to pay nothing upfront by taking out a State Government loan.