Free TAFE Courses

Free TAFE for priority courses gives more Victorians the chance to study at TAFE. More than ever, the skills we need to build our state are learned at TAFE. Free TAFE for priority courses reduces the financial barrier for students wanting to train in courses that lead to jobs in demand from Victorian employers.

Students who are eligible for Victorian Government-subsidised training can access the Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative to study tuition fee free in one of the listed Free TAFE Courses at TAFE Gippsland

Free TAFE eligibility

The Victorian Government is committed to supporting Victorians to get the skills needed to address our critical workforce shortages, regardless of their previous qualifications. That is why from 1 January 2023 we are:

1. removing the upskilling rule for access to all government-subsidised training in Victoria (for TAFE and non-TAFE providers) – meaning an additional 2 million Victorians will now have access to government-funded courses.
2. changing the once-in-a-lifetime limit on Free TAFE courses for specified training pathways including nursing, early childhood, community services and building and construction.
3. removing the limit on multiple subsidised courses at the same level

How do I know if I am eligible for Free TAFE?

Any Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or New Zealand citizen is eligible to do one Free TAFE for priority course in Victoria.

Students can only access one Free TAFE course in their lifetime, except in the following circumstances:

• Students who have completed a pathway course under Free TAFE can do another Free TAFE course in the same pathway
• Students who have already accessed Free TAFE, including for a non-pathway course, can do another Free TAFE course if they hold a qualification that is part of a Free TAFE pathway and are continuing in the same pathway. It does not matter if their previous qualification was completed by government-subsidised or fee-for-service training.
• Students whose only Free TAFE fee waiver was under JobTrainer can do another Free TAFE course, either in a pathway program, or in one additional non-pathway program.

Free TAFE pathway courses

More than one Free TAFE enrolment is allowed in the following pathway courses within the same sector.

For example: Students who have completed a pathway course under Free TAFE can do another Free TAFE course in the same pathway.

Community Services

• Certificate IV in Community Services
• Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs
• Certificate IV in Mental Health
• Diploma of Community Services (Statutory & Forensic Child, Youth & Family Welfare Specialisation)
• Diploma of Community Services (Case Management)

Nursing and Personal Care

• Certificate III in Individual Support
• Certificate IV in Disability
• Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
• Diploma of Nursing

Accounting

• Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
• Diploma of Accounting

Agriculture

• Certificate II in Agriculture
• Certificate III in Agriculture
• Certificate III in Dairy Production
• Certificate IV in Agriculture

Allied Health and Nursing

• Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
• Diploma of Nursing

Building and Construction

• Certificate IV in Building and Construction
• Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services

Civil Construction

• Certificate III in Civil Construction
• Certificate III in Civil Construction (Plant Operations)

Education Support

• Certificate III in School Based Education Support
• Certificate IV in School Based Education Support

Early Childhood Education and Care

• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Please speak with our Course Enquiries Team by calling 1300 133 717 to find out if you might be eligible for Free TAFE.