Free TAFE is benefitting ECEC with savings of nearly $9,000 for Vic Diploma students

Freya Lucas

Mar 27, 2023

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Students undertaking a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care in Victoria are saving up to $8,700 with the Federal Government’s Fee-Free TAFE program.

“Fee-Free TAFE is one of the important actions we’re taking to ensure a quality and sustainable workforce for the early childhood education sector,” said Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly.

The Federal Government has partnered with the Victorian Government to invest $250 million in the state as part of a 12-month Skills Agreement to deliver more than 55,000 Fee-Free TAFE places in 2023, which includes around 3,800 early childhood education and care places in 2023.

Nationally, the preschool education sector was projected to grow by 17.6 per cent by 2026, according to projections made in 2021.

“Fee-Free TAFE is a big part of the fix for the skills shortages we’re seeing in Victoria, particularly in education and care. Almost 40 per cent of national job ads for early childhood teachers are in Victoria, and education aides are in shortage in Victoria even though they’re not in shortage nationally,” said Federal Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor.

“We’re increasing access and reducing cost barriers for training for our State’s most in-demand jobs to ensure a pipeline of workers to these critical roles.”

Learn more about Fee Free TAFE here.

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