Under Kate Thwaites and the Albanese Labor Government, Free TAFE is here to stay.

TAFE will remain a key pillar of Australia’s vocational education and training system, with funding for 100,000 Fee-Free TAFE places each year from 2027.

This builds on the Albanese Government’s partnership with states and territories, which has already delivered: 180,000 Fee-Free TAFE places in 2023, 300,000 places over three years from 2024, an additional 20,000 Fee-Free places for construction and housing (agreements being finalised).

Since its launch in January 2023, Fee-Free TAFE has exceeded expectations, with more than 508,000 enrolments in priority areas, including: 131,000 in care (disability and aged care), 48,900 in digital and tech, 35,000 in construction, 35,500 in early childhood education and care.

Labor is also establishing a National TAFE Centre of Excellence for Housing Construction at Melbourne Polytechnic in Heidelberg West .

With a $50 million investment from the Albanese Government, this Centre will: Tackle skills shortages, help build more homes, faster and support sustainable construction.

This is great news for our community—creating more training opportunities for students.