A software bungle has left TAFE NSW unable to find records of students fees or course revenue this year, leaving a $525 million black hole in its accounts.

TAFE's annual report shows the new software system that threw student enrolments into chaos in January, with some teachers resorting to writing names on whiteboards, has "also led to challenges with the integrity of our student revenue data".

NSW Minister for Skills John Barilaro told Parliament the problems with the software were being worked on. Credit:Louie Douvis

The Auditor-General was unable to access any records for $47.6 million in student fees that are believed to have been paid, or $477.4 million in course revenue, during his audit – and so couldn't verify the accounts.

"System limitations prevented me from obtaining sufficient and appropriate audit evidence to support amounts recorded for student revenue," acting Auditor-General Tony Whitfield wrote on October 19.