Release type: Joint Media Release

Date:

Hundreds more Fee-Free TAFE and VET places for students in Tassie construction and housing courses

Ministers:

The Hon Andrew Giles MP
Minister for Skills and Training
The Hon Felix Ellis MP
Tasmanian Minister for Skills, Training and Workforce Growth

The Albanese Government, in partnership with the Tasmanian Government, is making hundreds more Fee-Free TAFE places available for courses in the housing and construction sector.

The Albanese Government today announced $1.8 million in funding to support the new Fee-Free TAFE and VET places.

From January 2025, 410 Fee-Free TAFE places will be available to Tasmanians, including up to 100 pre-apprenticeship places.

This will remove cost barriers for eligible students and incentivise Tasmanians to train in courses essential for the housing and construction sector.

The additional places demonstrate the genuine collaboration between the Albanese and Tasmanian governments to plug the skills gap and provide training opportunities for Australians.

The announcement comes as updated Fee-Free TAFE figures are released. They show that from 1 January 2023 until 30 June 2024:

  • Fee-Free TAFE supported over 508,800 enrolments nationally since it commenced on 1 January 2023.
  • Fee-Free TAFE enrolments have been strong across all priority sectors, with over 131,000 enrolments in care sector courses, almost 49,000 in technology and digital courses, over 35,500 in early childhood education and care courses, and almost 35,000 in construction courses.
  • Fee-Free TAFE is supporting disadvantaged and in-need Australians, with enrolments including over 170,000 young people, over 124,000 job seekers, almost 39,000 people with disability, and over 30,000 First Nations Australians.

In Tasmania:

  • From 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2024, there were 6,209 student enrolments in Fee-Free TAFE courses, including 452 construction sector course enrolments.
  • The most popular Fee-Free TAFE courses were:
    • Certificate III in Individual Support
    • Assist Clients with Medication Skill Set
    • Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
    • Prepare to Work safely in the Construction Industry
    • Medical Terminology Skill Set

The announcement today builds on the Albanese and Tasmanian governments commitment to address housing supply as a national priority under the National Skills Agreement.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:

“As I travel around Tasmania and the country, at every TAFE I visit, I meet students that tell me what a life changer Fee-Free TAFE has been for them. A strong vocational education and training sector is critical to ensuring all Australians can get a secure, well-paid job.”

“We’re working together with the Tasmanian Government to help locals skill up and get secure, well-paid jobs in essential sectors like construction. A stronger construction sector will help us build the homes that we know are needed for this community.

Quotes attributable to the Tasmanian Minister for Skills and Training, Felix Ellis:

“This partnership with the Commonwealth will mean we can deliver even more pathways for Tasmanians to get on the tools and help us build the infrastructure we know our community needs, like houses, hospitals and schools.”

“Tasmania punches well above its weight in VET, with nation-leading course completions and very high levels of satisfaction for students undertaking training."