The Albanese Government and Barr Government are partnering to bring hundreds of extra Free TAFE places in construction and housing courses to the Canberra Institute of Technology.
The additional places are made possible through Albanese Labor Government funding of $1.5 million, as they partner-up with the Barr Labor Government to address skills shortages.
From January 2025, 340 new Free TAFE places will be available including up to 80 pre-apprenticeship places. This is in addition to the 6,000 Free TAFE places funded from 2023-2026.
This will remove cost barriers and incentivise Canberrans to train in courses essential for the housing and construction sector.
In the ACT, some courses that can be studied fee-Free include:
- Diploma of Building and Construction
- Certificate IV in Building and Construction
- Certificate IV in Work, Health & Safety
- Certificate II in Construction Pathways
From 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2024 there have been a significant number of enrolments in Free TAFE courses in the ACT and more than 508,000 Australians have enrolled in Free TAFE nationally.
Since it was launched over 35,000 enrolled students have enrolled in construction sector courses, and students from regional and remote areas make up more than a third of total national enrolments.
The announcement today builds on the Australian and ACT 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:
"Today's announcement will help get more Canberrans into the construction industry. These extra 340 Free TAFE and VET places in construction and housing sector courses will train the skilled workers to build the homes Canberrans need.
"I've heard from so many Canberrans about what a life changer Free TAFE has been for them but let's be clear - Free TAFE is at risk. There is a clear choice - under Peter Dutton and the Liberals there will be no Free TAFE. With Anthony Albanese and Labor Free TAFE is here to stay."
Quotes attributable to the ACT Minister for Skills, Training and Industrial Relations Michael Pettersson:
"Free TAFE has been hugely successful in the ACT. Today's announcement of the expansion of construction places under the Free TAFE initiative will assist in generating a pipeline of skilled workers for the construction sector in our community."
"We know the demand for new housing and infrastructure in our community is very real. This joint initiative with the Commonwealth not only provides access to a career pathway to those who are feeling cost-of-living pressures, but also addresses critical workforce and skills shortages in the ACT that are impacting the housing market."
