Training for the skills our economy needs

We've put more than 70 courses on the Free TAFE list – helping more Victorians get the skills they need for the jobs they want.

But now, we’re going to make TAFE even better.

We've expanded eligibility for free and subsidised TAFE and training – so all Victorians can study for in‑demand jobs like healthcare, mental health, construction, early childhood and hospitality.

Previously it was difficult for Victorians with higher qualifications to study a subsidised TAFE course – we've changed that and made it easier for Victorians to reskill.

We've also changed the once‑in‑a‑lifetime limit, so Victorians can take multiple Free TAFE courses, when they are continuing priority training pathways.

And we've promised to change the law to protect TAFE funding.

Free TAFE is helping us train Victorians so we can continue to have a highly qualified social service workforce, continue our Big Build, achieve our clean energy ambitions and grow our economy.

In this Budget, we’ll invest:

• $186 million to expand the eligibility criteria for subsidised training courses, including Free TAFE, to make it more widely available for every Victorian who wants to get the skills they need for the job they want – supporting local jobs and boosting our economy with a pipeline of highly‑skilled, in‑demand workers.
• $90 million to meet the expected demand for training while providing additional literacy, numeracy and digital support for Free TAFE students.
• $90 million for TAFEs to continue to provide priority skills, job placement support, improve student wellbeing and to maintain high‑quality workforces.

And we’ll build and upgrade TAFE campuses across the state, so Victorians can keep studying in quality facilities. We’re investing $170 million in the Building Better TAFE Fund which includes the delivery of:

• A new TAFE in Melton, which will be a dedicated construction skills facility.
• A new Sunbury campus for the Bendigo Kangan Institute, to provide quality facilities and training in this growth area.
• A Disability Services Hub and a redevelopment of the Student Hub at the Gordon TAFE Geelong.
• A Community Health and Learning Hub in Bendigo TAFE Castlemaine to deliver training in a range of health fields including aged care, nursing, family violence and telehealth.

We’ll further support apprentices and trainees to succeed with $1.5 million to establish and deliver the Apprenticeships Taskforce. This builds on the important work of Apprenticeships Victoria and Apprenticeship Support Officers in championing the fair treatment of all apprentices and trainees.

We’re doing what matters for Victorians – building and upgrading TAFE campuses across our state, making more courses free and supporting people to upskill or make a mid‑career change to a great new job.