Celebrating National TAFE Day
This National TAFE Day the Albanese Government is celebrating all the students, teachers and support staff who are part of our world-class Technical and Further Education (TAFE) system.
Within the next decade, 90 per cent of new jobs will require post-secondary qualifications - and of that almost half of those will be through vocational education and training.
The Albanese Government has invested $1.5 billion in the Fee-Free TAFE program, in partnership with states and territories.
The program has supported more than 500,000 student enrolments since January 2023 and is key to delivering more workers in key industries, including care, construction, technology and defence.
The Government has also invested:
- $325 million to establish up to 20 TAFE Centres of Excellence, which will help deliver a skilled workforce for strategically important industries to meet national challenges.
- $155 million over five years for a National TAFE Network, to improve collaboration and enhance teaching and learning practices.
- $58 million to support VET nursing students during work placements with a weekly cost-of-living payment through the Commonwealth Prac Payment System.
- $50 million for the TAFE Technology Fund, which is helping upgrade TAFE campus facilities across Australia.
TAFE is the heart of our vocational education and training system, providing place-based workforce training, innovative solutions to shifting industry needs and vital community facilities and services.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
“TAFE changes lives and Australia’s great TAFE sector plays a vital role in giving people the skills they need for secure, well-paid jobs.
“This National TAFE Day, I want to particularly recognise the people who are, in a real sense, our TAFEs. The teachers whose passion, leadership and hard work is opening doors for so many Australians, securing their futures and our country’s prosperity.
“TAFE is for everyone, from school leavers to those later in life changing careers or upskilling, a TAFE qualification ensures you are equipped with high-quality skills for today’s workforce.
“After years of being simultaneously under-valued, and blamed for not delivering, I am proud to be in a government which is putting TAFE back at the centre of our VET sector, committed to realising the potential of TAFE for the benefit of all Australians.”