Fee-Free TAFE enrolments exceed expectations

More than 118,200 people enrolled in Fee-Free TAFE courses in the first three months of 2024, exceeding expectations.

From 1 January 2023 to 31 March this year there were over: 

• 120,800 enrolments in the Care sector
• 45,800 enrolments in the Technology and Digital sector
• 32,100 enrolments in the Construction sector
• 31,900 enrolments in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector
• 19,600 enrolments in the Agriculture sector.

In the same time frame there were over: 

• 296,200 enrolments by women
• 158,100 enrolments by people aged 24 and under
• 108,300 enrolments by job seekers
• 105,100 enrolments by people who speak a language other than English at home
• 34,800 enrolments by people with disability*
• 26,500 enrolments by First Nations people*.

These figures follow on from more than 355,000 enrolments in 2023, almost double the 180,000 places originally pledged at the 2022 Jobs and Skills Summit.

“I am extremely proud of our Fee-Free TAFE initiative, which is changing lives,” Federal Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP said.

“Fee-Free TAFE has ensured people acquire skills in demand and businesses find the skilled workers they’re crying out for. This is good for workers, businesses and the economy.”

Learn more about Fee-Free TAFE here.

*NSW enrolment data for First Nations people and people with disability not reported in Q1, 2024.