More Free TAFE places for NT construction students
The Australian and Northern Territory governments have today announced a further 170 Free TAFE places will be available in construction and housing sector courses from January 2025.
The places are made possible through Albanese Government funding of around $800,000, as the Commonwealth partners up with the Northern Territory Government to get more people trained and into jobs building houses.
From 2025, 170 new Fee-Free TAFE places will be available to Territorians, including up to 40 pre-apprenticeship places.
The Australian and Northern Territory governments are skilling up more Territorians, removing the costs that stop them from studying and gaining a new career.
More than 508,000 Australians have enrolled in Free TAFE nationally since its launch. From 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2024, figures show:
- almost 35,000 enrolments in the construction sector
- more than 131,000 in the care sector
- almost 49,000 in the technology and digital sector, and
- over 35,500 in early childhood education and care courses.
In the Northern Territory, from 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2024, there were 1,960 total student enrolments in Free TAFE courses. This included 210 construction sector course enrolments.
More than 1,040 enrolments, more than half, were from First Nations Australians, and almost 19% of enrolments were young people aged under 24.
The most popular Free TAFE courses in the Northern Territory were:
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations
- Certificate III in Community Services
- Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice
- Diploma of Leadership and Management.
In the Northern Territory, a Certificate II in Construction Pathways can cost up to $5,600 but is free, thanks to the Albanese Government’s Free TAFE initiative.
Additionally, a student training in the Certificate III of Early Childhood Education and Care can save up to $11,880 and someone studying for a Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management can save up to $12,990.
These additional Free TAFE places for construction courses in the NT builds on the commitment of Australian and Northern Territory governments to address housing supply as a national priority under the National Skills Agreement.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
“Free TAFE is changing lives and the Albanese Labor Government is committed to doing more for people in the Northern Territory.
“We have partnered with the Northern Territory government to provide these Free TAFE courses, which will give students the skills they want, in the sectors our growing country need.
“I am confident the people that graduate from these construction courses will join the workforce that will build the future houses Territorians live in; where Territory families will make their memories.
“Closing the Gap is a key priority in the National Skills Agreement, which set the blueprint for Free TAFE and what we are doing is clearly working.
“First Nations Australians have comprised more than 53% of all Northen Territory enrolments in Free TAFE since the scheme started in last year and I am looking forward to seeing that number grow”
Quotes attributable to the Northern Territory Minister for Education and Training, Jo Hersey:
"Our government remains committed to investing in and developing a skilled, highly trained workforce to rebuild the Territory’s economy.
“The 170 additional Free TAFE places in construction and housing sector courses complements the CLP Government’s HomeGrown Territory Grant of $50,000 for first home buyers to build or purchase a new home – the most generous home build scheme in the Country.
“Students have never had a better time to seize the opportunity to engage in training through the Free TAFE funding, which provides accessible pathways to valuable skills and career opportunities."