Andrew Giles
Minister for Skills and Training

Steve Whan
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

Records smashed as over 224,000 NSW residents benefit from Fee-Free TAFE

Thursday, 22 August 2024

The Albanese Labor Government, working with the Minns Labor Government, is smashing Fee-Free TAFE targets, with over 224,000 New South Wales residents benefitting from Fee-Free TAFE courses.

More than 42,000 people have taken up Fee-Free TAFE courses in NSW in the first three months of 2024 alone, saving students thousands and responding to skills shortages across the state.

New figures released today as part of National skills Week 2024 show the state smashing targets, with more than 47,000 people enrolled in care courses and over 16,000 in technology and digital courses.

Over 11,000 people have enrolled in early childhood courses, with a student doing a Certificate III in NSW saving up to $1,600.

Fee-Free TAFE is empowering people from all backgrounds to get ahead, helping to ease cost of living pressures. Across NSW there have been:

• Over 146,000 enrolments by women.
• Over 62,000 by young Australians (under 24) and people who speak a language other than English at home.
• Just under 10,000 by people with a disability.
• Over 15,000 by First Nations Australians.

The success of Fee-Free TAFE is only possible because of the Albanese Government's approach to working together with state and territory governments. 

Working with states and territories we've established a national agreement on skills, something the former Liberal National Government failed to deliver.

The Albanese Government will continue to roll out Fee-Free TAFE across the nation, investing over $502.9 million for an additional 300,000 Fee-Free TAFE and VET places nationwide over the next three years, with a further 20,000 places in construction and housing, including 5,000 pre-apprenticeship places, creating secure, well-paid jobs.

Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles said:

"Fee-Free TAFE is a win-win for NSW - for students and for business.

"More than 224,000 Australians across the state are benefitting from the opportunity to get ahead and helping to ease cost of living pressures.

"Over 42,000 people have enrolled in Fee-Free TAFE in the first three months of 2024 alone - that's almost one SCG or Allianz Stadium worth of skilled future workers for NSW.

"We're continuing to turn around a decade of decay by the former Liberal National Government who failed to work together with the states to deliver a national agreement on skills."

NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:

"The NSW Government is proud to partner with the Albanese Government to deliver Fee-Free TAFE. This program is easing cost-of-living pressures for students while also ensuring a steady supply of workers for high-demand industries.

"It's great to see so many NSW residents taking up the opportunity to gain the skills that will drive the future success of our business and economy. It's particularly encouraging to see Fee-Free TAFE providing those facing disadvantage an opportunity to upskill, that they might not have had before. 

"Fee-Free TAGE underscores the dedication of the Albanese and NSW Governments to strengthen education and training sector and ensure more Australians have access to the quality education and skills they need."