NSW and ACT sign on with Federal Government on fee-free TAFE places, including ECEC

The Australian Capital Territory, Federal and NSW governments have signed landmark 12-month skills agreements to address the current skills shortage and deliver fee-free TAFE and more vocational education places for the people of NSW and the ACT, including courses in early childhood education and care (ECEC).

10,000 ECEC spaces in NSW

Approximately 10,000 of the 40,200 fee free courses in NSW will be for qualifications in the ECEC sector, 9,900 in technology and digital, 6,900 in agriculture, 5,200 in construction, 5,000 in hospitality and tourism, 1,200 in sovereign capability, and 51,400 in other priority sectors including foundation skills.

Altogether the $319 million agreement will deliver a significant boost to the NSW skills and training sector, and will  increase opportunities and workforce participation of priority groups, including First Nations Australians, young people (aged from 17-24 years of age), people out of work or receiving income support, unpaid carers, women undertaking study in non-traditional fields, people with disability, and certain categories of visa holders.

The 12-month Skills Agreement confirms TAFE’s central role in the VET sector, increasing opportunities and workforce participation of priority groups and addressing skills gaps in the economy, a NSW Government spokesperson said. 

Over 2,500 places available in the ACT

The ACT agreement will inject more than $16.5 million into the ACT skills and training sector, with immediate support for over 2,500 Fee-Free TAFE places at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) in 2023.

Courses have been selected based on skills shortages in the ACT, as identified by the skills priority list, driving enrolments in key sectors, and 840 of the places will be allocated to ECEC. 

600 will go to hospitality and tourism, 400 in technology and digital, 50 in construction, 40 in sovereign capability including space trades, and 600 in other priority sectors including foundation skills. 

A total of 46 qualifications and pre-apprenticeships at CIT will be available fee-free to eligible students including:

• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Certificate III in Hospitality
• Certificate IV in Mental Health
• Certificate II in Electronics
• Certificate II in Construction Pathways.

There will also be a range of short courses on offer, such as Cyber Security Awareness, Camera Skills for Screen, Introduction to Arboriculture, and Electric Vehicle Charging Training.

The 12-month skills agreements confirm TAFE’s central role in the VET sector, increases opportunities and workforce participation of priority groups, and addressing skills gaps in the economy.

All governments have also agreed to a vision and guiding principles for longer-term VET reform to commence in 2024.