Government Hails Its Own Fees-Free TAFE Schemes as a Success

Australian Education Minister Jason Clare speaks during the Universities Australia Conference dinner at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 22, 2023. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

A fees-free scheme at New South Wales (NSW) TAFE training institutes is “continuing to exceed targets,” says the federal and state governments, with interest surging in key vocations.

In figures released on April 7, 182,124 people enrolled in fee-free TAFE courses last year in NSW, and subjects like health, construction, IT, and teaching are booming.

Quoted figures show there were 34,630 enrolments in the care sector, 9,651 in the technology and digital sector and 8728 in construction.

The figures exceed an original first-year goal of 180,000 new offers of place, promised by Federal Education Minister Jason Clare in 2023.

The scheme, which the federal and respective state governments fund to the tune of $1 billion (US$657 million) across 12 months, aims to remedy the skill shortage in the most needed areas by removing economic barriers to study.

The burden of tertiary fees can often deter individuals from pursuing further education, possibly limiting future earning potential.

The average student loan in Australia has increased from $15,200 to $24,800 over the past 10 years. While loans are “interest-free,” they are tied to the consumer price index (headline inflation), and those with overdue payments on a HELP loan can incur interest up to 7.1 percent.

The vocations in most need of skilled labour in Australia are aged care, construction, hospitality, agriculture, technology, and digital and sovereign capability. Course priority is given to people aged 17 to 24, First Nations Australians, women undertaking study in non-traditional fields and/or facing economic insecurity, and people with a disability.

“The Fee-Free TAFE initiative is continuing to exceed targets, removing financial barriers so more people in NSW can learn new skills in areas where the economy needs them most,” the Albanese and NSW Minns governments said in a statement.

Minister for Skills and Training Brendon O'Connor said, “Fee-Free TAFE is helping people in NSW, and across Australia, to acquire skills to ensure they have meaningful work, well-paid jobs and career progression.”

“The initiative has helped ease cost-of-living pressures for students and is helping respond to the worst skills crisis we have experienced in 50 years,” added Mr. O'Connor.

The Hospitality industry in Australia is facing a skills shortage. William West/AFP via Getty Images

More Women Taking up Study

The dismantling of traditional barriers to women’s education and career advancement has created more opportunities for women to excel in traditionally male-dominated fields.

The figures showed 118,620, or around 65 percent, of the 181,000 enrolling in courses were women.

Uptake was also high from students in regional and remote areas, numbering more than 70,000. Close to 50,000 non-native English speakers also enrolled in a fee-free course.

“Fee-Free TAFE has transformed the lives of students from diverse backgrounds right across NSW, at the same time making sure there is a strong pipeline of workers to fill in-demand jobs,” Mr. O'Connor said.

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan MP said the government will continue to invest in the scheme.

“We are committed to tackling the skills shortages, by supporting students with free training opportunities who can then enter the workforce in highly paid, highly skilled jobs.”

Another funding tranche of $414.1 million will be committed from 2024 to 2026 to states and territories to fund the delivery of at least another 300,000 places across TAFE’s and vocational education and training.