Free TAFE continues to deliver cost-of-living relief and valuable skills to Queenslanders, as the latest data shows more than 109,000 enrolments across the sunshine state between January 2023 and September 2024.
As part of the Albanese Government's Free TAFE program in Queensland there have been:
- More than 8,800 enrolments in the Construction sector
- More than 23,000 enrolments in the Care sector
- More than 5,900 enrolments in the Manufacturing sector
- More than 12,200 enrolments in the Technology and Digital sector
- More than 6,300 enrolments in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector
The top 5 courses by enrolment in Queensland are:
- Diploma of Nursing (students can save up to $15,930)
- Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping (students can save up to $4,745)
- Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician (students can save up to $1,760)
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (students can save up to $955)
- Diploma of Project Management (students can save up to $12,195)
More than a third of all students enrolled in Queensland are in regional or remote areas.
The Albanese Government's Free TAFE policy continues to smash targets since being introduced in January 2023. The latest available data (up to September 2024) shows that there have been more than 568,400 enrolments as Australians embrace the opportunity to gain valuable skills in areas of need without the additional financial pressure of course fees.
The Albanese Government has also provided $17.7 million in extra funding to deliver an additional 4,100 new Free TAFE places in housing and construction from January 2025, including up to 1,000 pre-apprenticeship places, to make it easier for Queenslanders to train to get a great job in industries essential to the housing and construction sectors.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
"Free TAFE is providing an accessible pathway to secure work and cost-of-living relief to more than 100,000 Queenslanders. The Albanese Government is committed to building the future of our country which is why we've proposed legislation to make Free TAFE enduring.
"As I travel around Queensland, at every TAFE I visit, I meet students that tell me what a life changer Free TAFE has been for them.
"The Liberals and Nationals call Free TAFE "wasteful spending" and say that if you don't pay for something you don't value it. We call it building Australia's future.
"There is a clear choice - Peter Dutton and the Liberals will cut Free TAFE funding and Australians will pay more for TAFE. Under the Albanese Government Free TAFE is here to stay."
BACKGROUND
DEMOGRAPHICS
By demographic, Free TAFE enrolments in Queensland include:
- More than 48,000 people aged 24 and under
- More than 20,000 job seekers
- More than 11,000 people with disability
- More than 7,500 First Nations people
- More than 61,000 women
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Kristy Meehan - Diploma of Nursing
"Being a nurse has been my dream since I had my first child 13 years ago. I kept putting it off because I didn't think I could manage study, work and children at the same time and didn't want to put myself into debt.
"When I saw the Fee-Free TAFE nursing course I figured it was now or never so decided to just jump in. It has been such an amazing journey so far and I am so excited to finally follow my dreams."
