The federal government has introduced legislation to establish Free TAFE as an enduring feature of the national vocational education and training (VET) system.
From 2027 the government will fund at least 100,000 Fee-Free TAFE places a year.
It builds on partnerships already in place between the federal government, states and territories to deliver 300,000 places over three years from 2024.
Agreements are being finalised for a further 20,000 construction and housing Fee-Free places.
Over the next decade, nine out of 10 new jobs will require post-secondary qualifications and almost half will come through VET pathways.
The introduction of the legislation coincides with the launch of a new national campaign to encourage Australians – particularly young people – to enrol in TAFE and VET courses to address the nation’s most pressing skills shortages.
The campaign will focus on highlighting the benefits of upskilling or reskilling through vocational education and training pathways.
Minister for Skills & Training, Andrew Giles, said public TAFE is back at the centre of training.
“Under our government half a million Australians have enrolled in Fee-Free TAFE,” he said.
“Fee-Free TAFE has been a huge success that’s why we’re locking it in and introducing legislation to make it permanent.”
Earlier in the week the government announced plans to reduce the debt burden for student loans.
By 1 June next year, the government will cut 20 per cent off all student loans to reduce the debt burden for Australian students.