Victorians will now have even more opportunities to learn more skills and expand their career prospects.
The Allan Labor Government has grown its ever-popular free TAFE program, offering people across Victoria the chance to gain certificates and diplomas in various sectors without paying tuition fees.
There are now more than 80 Free TAFE qualifications and short courses on offer, with freshly added options in hospitality, youth work, kitchen management and tourism.
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Just last year, 60,000 more places were made available to eager students. Since the initiative kicked off in 2019, it has helped more than 156,000 students who have saved almost $423 million in tuition fees by learning wide-ranging skills including Auslan interpreting, dairy production, information technology, cyber security, dental assisting, construction, nursing and more.
“Our TAFE network is at the heart of vocational education in Victoria, and through initiatives like Free TAFE we’re making sure more students can gain skills in in-demand careers including clean energy and housing,” says Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney.
The cost-free courses are available to all prospective students in Victoria, despite their previous level. What’s more, students can take more than one free course, granted it’s within the same pathway as their original choice.
Originally launched to help fill sectors of the workforce that needed more workers, the free TAFE program has grown into an important part of the education ecosystem, with the government investing $543 million in the program in the Victorian Budget 2023/24.
“Vocational study is important to our society and future – this program gives more Victorians opportunities to access high-quality training in the industry that they love,” says Tierney.
Enrolment into Victoria’s free TAFE courses is open now. Find out more here.
There are going to be another 60,000 free TAFE courses offered to Victorians next year
