Queensland Government encourages students to enrol in Fee-Free TAFE for 2023

Queensland’s Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development The Honourable Di Farmer has encouraged recent school leavers and Queenslanders looking to upskill or change careers to enrol in one of the 37,000 Fee-Free TAFE places available in 2023.

TAFE Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mary Campbell said Queenslanders eligible for Fee-Free TAFE funding will have the opportunity to enrol in one of over 80 skill sets, certificates and diploma level qualifications currently on offer at TAFE Queensland.

“Childcare workers (sic.), welfare support workers, office managers and ICT technicians are all in high demand throughout Queensland, so it’s encouraging that the majority of our current enrolments are in sectors with recognised skills shortages,” Mrs Campbell said.

The most popular courses being studied include:

• Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
• Diploma of Community Services
• Diploma of Business
• Diploma of Nursing (*eligible to First Nations Australian, people with disability or people from culturally and linguistically diverse background)
• Certificate III in School Based Education Support
• Certificate III in Information Technology
• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Certificate III in Individual Support and Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
• Certificate IV in Cyber Security
• Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping.

“If you’ve been thinking about studying something new, or upskilling, now is the time as Fee-Free TAFE and vocational education and training courses in Queensland are open for enrolments,” added Federal Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor.

“Skills shortages are gripping the nation, and those running through Queensland reflect the specific characteristics of the state’s labour market.”

Mr O’Connor said it was vital that both state and federal governments supported local people to obtain the skills they need to fill job vacancies.

As more people train in the available courses, it will assist those sectors to fill their job gaps, and address workforce shortages, Ms Farmer added. 

“I urge all Queenslanders to learn about these free courses and change your life by training for a career you are passionate about,” she said.

Queensland’s Good people. Good Jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 aims to  ensure the State is well positioned to seize the job opportunities available now and into the next decade.

Fee-Free TAFE in Queensland in 2023 is being delivered by TAFE Queensland and the Central Queensland University.

For further information on courses available and how to enrol, please visit Fee Free TAFE | Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (desbt.qld.gov.au)