The Albanese Labor Government is building Australia's future by investing in training, with new data showing there have been more than 3,700 enrolments across the ACT since the Free TAFE program began in January 2023.
We are continuing to deliver cost of living relief while encouraging more Australians into construction courses.
That's why we're making Free TAFE permanent.
It's also why we've announced a $10,000 incentive payment for Australians in construction apprenticeships.
The Liberals voted to oppose making Free TAFE permanent and have confirmed their plans to cut funding for Free TAFE.
The most popular sectors across the ACT are:
- Care sector (more than 880 enrolments)
- Technology and Digital sector (more than 790 enrolments)
- Early Childhood Education and Care sector (more than 380 enrolments)
- Hospitality and Tourism sector (more than 200 enrolments)
Examples of student fee savings in the Australian Capital Territory include:
- A student studying a Certificate IV in Cyber Security can save up to $3,467
- A student studying a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care can save up to $2,519
- A student studying a Certificate III in Business can save up to $1,375
- A student studying a Certificate IV in Community Services can save up to $2,438
- A student studying a Certificate IV in Mental Health can save up to $2,282
The Albanese Government has also provided $1.5 million in extra funding to the ACT to deliver an additional 340 new Free TAFE places in housing and construction from January 2025. This includes up to 80 pre-apprenticeship places to make it easier for Canberrans to train to get jobs in industries essential to the housing and construction sectors.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
"The Albanese Labor Government is committed to building the future of our country which is we introduced our Free TAFE Bill in Parliament, to make Free TAFE enduring.
"The Liberal party believes that if you don't pay for something, you don't value it. Well I believe the thousands of Canberrans who've enrolled in Free TAFE value their TAFE education and the doors it opens.
"At every CIT campus I visit here in Canberra, I meet students who tell me what a life changer Free TAFE has been for them.
"It's great to see Canberrans embracing the opportunity to lay the foundations for their future careers through Free TAFE. I'm proud that they can make this decision without having to consider the burden of financial pressure of training costs.
"Free TAFE is providing an accessible pathway to secure work and cost-of-living relief to more than 3,700 people here in the nation's capital. The Albanese Government is committed to building the future of our country which is why we've introduced legislation to make Free TAFE enduring.
"Peter Dutton and the Liberals are blocking Free TAFE, but with Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Party, Free TAFE is here to stay."
Quotes attributable to Senator for the ACT the Hon Katy Gallagher:
"Canberra needs skilled workers to meet the demands of a growing city, and the Albanese Labor Government is delivering thousands of Fee-Free TAFE places to ensure students can skill up without taking a hit to their hip pocket.
"I'm so pleased to see that Labor's Fee-Free TAFE places have been so popular, particularly with the next generation of early educators and carers for our older Canberrans.
"Labor invests in Canberra, the Liberals cut.
"This will increase the pipeline of workers in the construction industry in the ACT and support ACT Labor's commitment to increasing housing supply.
"The Free TAFE program aims to promote skills development and workforce participation for diverse learners, including job seekers, young people, First Nation Australians, unemployed and underemployed individuals, unpaid carers, women in non-traditional fields, people with disabilities, and veterans. I am pleased that Minister Giles and the Albanese Government are committed to continuing and expanding this important initiative."
Quotes attributable to the ACT Minister for Skills, Training and Industrial Relations, Michael Pettersson:
"Free TAFE plays an important role in supporting students who may otherwise experience financial barriers to undertake training.
Together with Minister Giles, I am pleased to announce the agreed implementation of the Free TAFE construction initiative. Up to 340 places are now available at CIT in construction courses including up to 80 pre-apprenticeship places.
"This will increase the pipeline of workers in the construction industry in the ACT and support ACT Labor's commitment to increasing housing supply.
"The Free TAFE program aims to promote skills development and workforce participation for diverse learners, including job seekers, young people, First Nation Australians, unemployed and underemployed individuals, unpaid carers, women in non-traditional fields, people with disabilities, and veterans. I am pleased that Minister Giles and the Albanese Government are committed to continuing and expanding this important initiative."
Quotes attributable to the Member for Canberra Alicia Payne
"It's been inspiring to hear from Canberrans who have already taken up the opportunity of Fee Free Tafe to pursue careers they are passionate about, and especially where financial barriers had previously prevented them.
"Now that our government is making fee free TAFE permanent, even Canberrans will be able to pursue the jobs of the future, which is good for them and our economy."
Background demographics
Free TAFE enrolments in the ACT include:
- more than 1,350 people aged 24 and under
- more than 1,000 people with disability
- more than 175 First Nations people
- more than 2,150 women.
