The program, delivered alongside the states and territories, is opening up access and opportunity for Australians to upskill and gain new qualifications through courses that deliver more workers for sectors essential to building Australia and supporting communities.
Government data show there have been around 5,000 free TAFE enrolments in the Ipswich region since the program started in January 2023, putting thousands of locals on pathways to jobs in nursing, construction, aged care, IT and early childhood education and care.
The figures also revealed 725,000 enrolments around the country and more than 210,000 courses completed – seeing more Australians starting careers as nurses, carpenters, aged care workers, electricians and early childhood educators.
This includes many students who are studying part-time alongside work and family responsibilities, and pursuing new career pathways. Popular areas of study include construction, technology and digital, clean energy, nursing, aged care, disability care, and Early Childhood Education and Care.
Students are also benefitting from significant savings as a result of free TAFE, which is providing much-needed cost of living relief.
In Queensland, a student undertaking a Diploma of Nursing is able to save up to $16,425 on their course, a student training in Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping can save up to $4,890, while a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care student can pocket savings of up to $970.
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said free TAFE was a key Labor commitment during the 2022 election and the Albanese Government had now made the program permanent.
“In three years, free TAFE has helped to change the lives of thousands of students and jobseekers here in Blair, and helped turn around skills shortages in the region,” Mr Neumann said.
“A great job can change your life. And with free TAFE, you can train for one without worrying about the cost.
“We need more nurses in our hospitals, more aged care and disability workers, more early education workers to care for our children, and more tradies and construction workers to build more homes, so it makes sense to make it easier for people to gain these skills through TAFE.
“It beggars belief that the Liberals and Nationals are opposed to free TAFE. They’re at complete odds with their LNP state colleagues in the Crisafulli Government, who are working with the Albanese Government to deliver the program in Queensland.”
Free TAFE offers a wide range of courses. To find out what is available, visit www.yourcareer.gov.au and https://tafeqld.edu.au/courses/apply-and-enrol/subsidised-training/fee-free-tafe
