Professional development

Key reforms to SEE program mean uncapped ECEC training for job seekers

Freya Lucas

Jan 14, 2022

Save

Thousands of job seekers are expected to benefit from key reforms to the Australian Government’s Skills for Education & Employment (SEE) program which connects unemployed Australians with skilled TAFE Queensland trainers, work placements and Certificate-level qualifications to prepare for work or higher study.

From 1 January 2022, eligible job seekers have been able to access free, uncapped training— previously limited to 650 hours—across 45 TAFE Queensland locations.

“It’s an incredibly exciting time for the SEE program,” said Scott Bray, Executive Director of TAFE Queensland English Language & Literacy Services.

“These changes really open up the floor to our job seekers. Now, instead of being capped to that 650 hours, you can access as much training as you need to complete a Certificate level qualification.”

The SEE program’s key point-of-difference lies in its level of customisation. Where one student may be working towards their Year 10 Alternative, another could be preparing for Australian Defence Force entry, learning to use Adobe Photoshop, or completing a Certificate II in Business.

For early school leavers like Remy Teague, the SEE program offers a chance to work toward personal career goals in a safe, low-pressure environment.

“It was an experience I will never forget. TAFE was nothing like high school, to the point I could have cried in relief,” Remy said.

“It was so calm and welcoming. The people were amazing, the environment was amazing--for the first time in my life, I had a safe space to learn and actually enjoy what I was being taught.”

After previously leaving school midway through Year 8, Remy successfully achieved her Year 10 Alternative through the SEE program. She is now enrolled in TAFE Queensland’s Certificate III in Visual Arts.

TAFE Queensland currently delivers the SEE program in 45 locations across Queensland. Job seekers can get started by obtaining a referral from Services Australia or their job service provider.

More information about SEE is available here.

Don’t miss a thing

New Geccko course simplifies payments, fees and CCS obligations for ECEC services

A new online learning course launched on the Geccko platform is helping early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers better understand how to manage payments, gap fees and Child Care Subsidy (CCS) entitlements in line with Family Assistance Law.

What is ARACY and how can The Nest support early childhood services

The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) has shaped the national conversation on child and youth wellbeing for more than two decades. Its flagship Nest Wellbeing Framework is increasingly used by organisations to align strategy, measure outcomes and strengthen collaboration.

Skilled migration opportunities for early childhood teachers to teach in Victoria

New opportunities are available for qualified early childhood professionals to build meaningful careers through the state’s skilled migration program.

Edge Early Learning becomes first QLD provider to embed Life Ed wellbeing and safety program across all centres

Edge Early Learning has announced a new statewide partnership with Life Ed Queensland that will see a comprehensive wellbeing, safety and school-readiness program embedded across every Edge centre in Queensland from January 2026, the first early learning provider in the state to take this integrated, whole-centre approach.

Looking ahead: What the ECEC sector can expect in 2026

As 2026 begins, early childhood education and care (ECEC) services across Australia are preparing for a year of substantial reform, focused on strengthening child safety and raising the bar on national standards. Following a series of agreements by Education Ministers in 2025, new changes to the National Quality Framework (NQF) and the Education and Care Services National Law will take effect progressively throughout the year. These reforms reflect the shared commitment of educators, families, communities and governments to place child safety and wellbeing at the centre of early learning environments.

New Geccko course simplifies payments, fees and CCS obligations for ECEC services

What is ARACY and how can The Nest support early childhood services

Skilled migration opportunities for early childhood teachers to teach in Victoria

New opportunities are available for qualified early childhood professionals to build meaningful careers through the state’s skilled migration program.