New TAFE Centres of Excellence for digital and care skills in Victoria

The Albanese and Allan Labor Governments are investing $50.6 million to create two TAFE Centres of Excellence in Melbourne to drive national improvements in digital literacy across critical industries – with benefits for TAFE students and teachers right across the country.

Under the investment, a Digital, AI and Technology Centre of Excellence will be established at the Chisholm Institute’s Frankston campus, and a Home and Community Care Centre of Excellence will be established at Holmesglen Institute’s Moorabbin campus.

These TAFE Centres of Excellence will strengthen Australia’s future workforce by supporting innovation across two critical industries through advanced training and helping to ensure the nation remains competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.

Each centre will focus on uplifting national standards in digital literacy and skills by expanding partnerships with industry and creating opportunities, particularly for healthcare workers delivering care at home or in the community.

The $30 million Digital, AI and Technology Centre of Excellence will train students in cutting-edge TAFE simulation labs, immersed in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and other emerging fields — while partnering with tech companies to deliver practical on-the-job training.

The centre will strengthen Australia’s digital training pipeline, offer faster pathways for upskilling and reskilling, and embed curriculum aligned with national digital frameworks. Applied research and evaluation will be a core part of the centre’s work, helping to promote best practice in digital education and training. 

The $20.6 million Home and Community Care Centre of Excellence will help meet the growing demand for home‑based care. One of the centre’s features will be a smart house fitted with adaptive technology, which will help healthcare workers to automate and modernise care delivery. The smart house will give students hands‑on experience with remote care technologies, automation, and modern work practices.

This announcement brings to 16 the total number of TAFE Centres of Excellence announced across Australia. Up to 20 centres will be established nationwide, in every state and territory, under the Albanese Government’s $325 million commitment as part of the National Skills Agreement.

For more information, visit the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.

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

“These two new TAFE Centres of Excellence are the latest steps by the Albanese and Allan Labor Governments to invest in delivering cutting-edge skills for Victorians.

“Creating satellite campuses inside workplaces will provide immediate, hands‑on access to real industry settings, helping deepen understanding of how digital and AI skills are used in practice, and promoting lifelong learning.

“Labor is the party of TAFE and training. We’ll always back in TAFEs, and TAFE students and teachers, to benefit from the very best of opportunities to skill and upskill for the future.”

Quotes attributable to Victorian Minister for Skills and TAFE, Hon Gayle Tierney:

“Labor Governments will always invest in TAFE, making it easier for people to get the skills they need for growing industries. 
 
“Victoria is the birthplace of Free TAFE, and now we’re making Free TAFE the law – so all Victorians will continue to have access to Free TAFE, forever.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Dunkley, Jodie Belyea:

“As the local member, one of my top priorities is ensuring residents in Dunkley can access the very best training and skills opportunities, right here in our local community.”

“The establishment of the Digital, AI and Technology Centre of Excellence in Frankston will place local TAFE students and teachers at the forefront of cutting-edge skills in one of Australia’s fastest-growing sectors.”

“This $30 million investment will deliver modern, job-ready training for people across Dunkley and the broader region, strengthening local pathways into high-value careers and making a real difference for our community. As a strong local voice, I will continue to advocate for the investments our community needs as we continue delivering for Dunkley.”

Quote attributable to Member for Frankston, Paul Edbrooke:

“This is a huge win for Frankston – creating new opportunities for locals and ensuring our community has the skills for the jobs of the future.”

ENDS