Additional Fee Free TAFE places announced for Queensland from January 2024

The Federal and Queensland Governments announced a further 43,400 Fee-Free TAFE places late last week. 

 

Backed by almost $85 million in Federal Government funding, the new places come as the Australian and Queensland governments team-up to tackle skills shortages, including in early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Queensland.

 

The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care has been one of the most popular free courses in previous funding rounds, which have seen almost 300,000 Australians enrol to study and train fee-free to 30 September 2023.

 

Students studying a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care could save almost $1,250 under the initiative. 

 

This announcement comes in addition to a national agreement between the Federal and Queensland Governments that will unlock billions of dollars to build the skills and prosperity of the state.

 

The landmark five-year National Skills Agreement (NSA) – which will take effect from January next year – was developed under principles agreed by the National Cabinet and will embed national cooperation and strategic investment in the Sunshine State vocational education and training sector.

 

“Fee-Free TAFE has been such a success, the Albanese Government is committing to a further 300,000 places beginning next year, with 43,400 of those places in Queensland,” Federal Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP said. 

 

“This is what genuine collaboration and partnership can achieve – with all levels of government, industry, unions and the VET sector working in lock step we can achieve real results for Australians.”