The pricing of TasTAFE courses are now worked out by the hour, with a letter to students advising them that course costs have increased from $2.03 an hour to $5.50 an hour next year.

This course price rise, combined with the fact that colleges will be paying more for students to participate in TasTAFE courses, could see less students enrolled in the "commercially autonomous" education organisation.

Next year's price set by TAFE for one day a week of training in colleges is $40,000.

TasTAFE chief executive Stephen Conway said TAFE delivered courses to schools, and college staff delivered the TAFE courses.

"TasTAFE will not be adversely affected if college students do not come to TasTAFE as part of their course requirements while still enrolled at school," Mr Conway said.

"Our focus is on the provision of vocational education and training to students who are either looking for employment, in work and looking to increase their skills, or looking to move into another industry sector."

Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff's spokesman said TasTAFE had set a cost to colleges of $40,000 for a 6.3 hour day of training each week, for 40 weeks, based on an hourly rate of $158.

He said the Education Department used to set the fees, which were based on student numbers, but did not say how much.

"TasTAFE is now controlling the setting of fees [as of next year]. In an increasingly competitive and contestable marketplace it is necessary to ensure that TasTAFE covers the costs of delivering training."

There are more than 100 private registered training organisations that offer training courses in Tasmania and compete with TAFE.

Last year there were 1673 college students aged 16-19 who participated in TasTAFE courses, with 637 students aged 15 and under in Taste of TasTAFE courses.