The Victorian Government is leading a rapid, coordinated response to ensure TAFE continues to provide the skills Victoria needs to respond to coronavirus and prepare for recovery.

Data released today shows the Free TAFE program has helped Federation TAFE students start the training they need for in-demand jobs.

This marks a 90 per cent increase in commencements compared with the same courses at the end of 2018 at Federation TAFE.

In 2019 Free TAFE commencements at Federation TAFE almost doubled for unemployed Victorians. At Federation TAFE there was also a:

• 153% increase in enrolments for students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• 177% increase in enrolments of students with a disability
• 83% increase in enrolments of Indigenous students

Across Victoria more than 25,000 students took up courses to bolster the NDIS, family violence and infrastructure workforces.

This will provide pathways into the jobs Victoria needs to build and look after our growing state.

Almost 40,000 students commenced Free TAFE training across the state, making an 88 per cent increase in commencements compared with the same courses at the end of 2018.

From the very beginning, Free TAFE has been about filling skills gaps and getting more Victorians into work.

Underlining the importance of TAFE to regional communities and industries, a quarter of Free TAFE commencements were in regional Victoria.

Thanks to Free TAFE, students have already saved up to $10,000 for Diploma-level courses, $5,000 for Certificate IV courses, and $2,500 for pre-apprenticeship courses and have connected into employment in high growth industries.

The most popular Free TAFE courses in 2019 at Federation TAFE were the:

• Diploma of Nursing
• Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
• Certificate III in Horticulture

Quote attributable to Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney

“Free TAFE has been an incredible success in its first year with thousands of Victorians enrolling in priority courses.” 

Quotes attributable to Juliana Addison MP, Member for Wendouree

“Federation TAFE is playing an important role in providing a pipeline of essential healthcare workers, such as nurses, during the coronavirus crisis. Federation TAFE is also helping re-train those facing unemployment and underemployment as the state moves towards recovery. In short, free TAFE is changing people’s lives.”

Quote attributable to Michaela Settle MP, Member for Buninyong

“As we respond and recover from the coronavirus crisis across our region, Free TAFE at Federation TAFE will provide the next wave of essential workers for our local industry.”