On the same day that our littlest Victorians were starting their education journey, thousands of Victorians were continuing their own learning starting one of the many Free TAFE courses that are now rolling out across the state.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Acting Minister for Training and Skills and Minister for Higher Education James Merlino officially launched the start of Free TAFE at the Chisholm Institute in Frankston, where enrolments have been so high the institute has added more classes in the coming weeks to keep up with demand. Since then Minister for Training and Skills and Minister for Higher Education Gayle Tierney has welcomed Free TAFE at events across the state.
Free TAFE gives more Victorians the chance to study at TAFE in courses that provide skills for jobs in our growing industries. It covers tuition fees for priority courses for students who are eligible for government-subsidised funding including:
- 30 priority non apprenticeship courses
- 20 Victorian apprenticeship pathway courses (sometimes called pre-apprenticeships).
Free TAFE is also available in regional Victoria, with nearly 700 of the January enrolments coming from regional areas.
There is already three times as many students selecting TAFE as their higher education option compared to last year. Registration numbers are expected to continue to grow during February as the peak enrolment period for TAFEs.
So far, the top five courses for those starting a Free TAFE qualification this January are:
- Diploma of Nursing
- Certificate II in Plumbing (Pre-apprenticeship)
- Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
- Certificate IV in Disability
- Certificate III in Individual Support
Free TAFE will give more Victorians the skills they need for jobs working on major road and rail projects, building schools and hospitals and caring for love ones.
Visit TAFE Victoria to enrol or find out if you are eligible, and for the full list of Free TAFE courses and TAFE institutes.