The Queensland Government has announced that they will offer Queenslanders up to 37, 000 fee-free TAFE courses in 2023 to help fill the vacancies in certain occupations across the state. If you are looking for a career change or if you are considering starting a new career, this is the opportunity you have been waiting for!
These tertiary TAFE courses are wide-ranging and are offered across Queensland for in-demand skills in high-priority areas.
This article will give you information about which TAFE courses are free, who is eligible for fee-free TAFE courses and how to apply!
What courses are available for fee-free funding?
The courses target areas that is high priority areas in various industries where workers need in-demand skill. These industries include:
- business and IT,
- creative industries,
- education and community,
- environment and animal services,
- health and science,
- infrastructure and transport, and
- service industries
There are a wide range of skill sets, certificates and diplomas available amongst these courses.
Business and IT
- Accounting Principles Skill Set – Accredited Skill Set
- BAS Agent Registration Skill Set – Accredited Short Course
- Certificate III in Accounts Administration
- Certificate III in Business
- Certificate III in Business – Business Administration – For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
- Certificate III in Business – Medical Administration
- Certificate III in Business – Business Administration
- Certificate III in Business – For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
- Certificate III in Information Technology
- Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
- Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping – For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
- Certificate IV in Cyber Security
- Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business
- Certificate IV in Justice Studies
- Certificate IV in Leadership and Management
- Certificate IV in Project Management Practice
- Diploma of Accounting
- Diploma of Applied Blockchain
- Diploma of Business
- Diploma of Information Technology – Advanced Networking and Cloud Engineering
- Diploma of Information Technology – Advanced Networking and System Administration
- Diploma of Information Technology – Advanced Programming
- Diploma of Information Technology – Back End Web Development and Front End Web Development
- Diploma of Justice Studies
- Diploma of Leadership and Management
- Diploma of Project Management
Creative industries
- Certificate III in Visual Arts
- Certificate III in Visual Arts – Focus on Photography
- Certificate IV in Residential Drafting
- Diploma of Graphic Design
- Diploma of Music – Performance
- Diploma of Music – Sound Production
- Diploma of Photography and Digital Imaging
- Diploma of Screen and Media – Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects
- Diploma of Screen and Media – Directing
- Diploma of Screen and Media – Post-production
- Diploma of Screen and Media – Production Management
- Diploma of Visual Arts
Education and community
- Certificate III in Community Services
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care – For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
- Certificate III in Individual Support – Ageing
- Certificate III in Individual Support – Ageing, Home and Community
- Certificate III in Individual Support – Disability
- Certificate III in Individual Support – Home and Community
- Certificate III in School Based Education Support
- Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation
- Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention
- Certificate IV in Community Services
- Certificate IV in Disability
- Certificate IV in Mental Health
- Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work
- Certificate IV in School Based Education Support
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
- Certificate IV in Youth Work
- Diploma of Child, Youth and Family Intervention
- Diploma of Community Services
- Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
- Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care – For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
Environment and animal services
- Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management
- Certificate III in Horticulture
- Certificate III in Landscape Construction
- Certificate III in Rural Operations
- Diploma of Agribusiness Management
- Diploma of Agriculture
Health and science
- Assist Clients with Medication skill set – Accredited Skill Set
- Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
- Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
- Certificate III in Dental Assisting
- Certificate III in Health Administration
- Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
- Certificate III in Pathology Assistance
- Certificate III in Pathology Collection
- Certificate III in Sterilisation Services
- Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
- Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice
- Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
- Certificate IV in Health Administration
- Dementia Support – Service Delivery Skill Set – Accredited Skill Set
- Diploma of Nursing
- Individual Support – Disability Skill Set – Accredited Skill Set
Infrastructure and transport
- Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal)
Service industries
- Certificate II in Hospitality
- Certificate II in Kitchen Operations
- Certificate III in Food Processing – Brewing
- Certificate III in Hospitality – Food and Beverage
Eligibility for fee-free TAFE funding
If you’re eligible for Fee-Free TAFE funding, some or all of your course costs will be covered by the Australian and Queensland Governments. Because they’re footing the bill, you only have to pay what’s left, which could be nothing at all. Although you’re paying less, the total cost of the course is the same, and you still receive the same quality of training and education. And with less course fees, you’ll be able to focus on your studies, rather than your finances.
Like most government funded opportunities, there is a criteria and these TAFE course have a criteria to ensure those that need the help receive it!
Criteria for fee-free TAFE funding – you must be:
- an Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident (including humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency
- a Queensland resident
- no longer at school
- not currently enrolled in training.
Students from the following priority groups are strongly encouraged to apply:
- First Nations Australians
- young people aged 17-24
- people out of work or receiving income support
- unpaid carers
- women facing economic insecurity
- women undertaking study in non-traditional fields
- people with disability
NOTE: The Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) is only eligible for fee-free TAFE funding for the following priority cohorts:
- First Nations Australians
- people with disability
- people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (including migrants and refugees who meet the requisite eligibility requirements).
Students applying for the Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) will also need to meet all other entry requirements for the course including those for literacy, numeracy, and English language skills.
What if I am not eligible for fee-free courses?
There are a range of TAFE Queensland courses that are eligible for funding that could help reduce the cost of your course. If you don’t meet the eligibility criteria for fee-free TAFE, you may be eligible for one of these subsidised courses here. Alternatively, you could consider studying through a RTO that offers recognition of prior learning to shorten your study period and curtail your study costs.
How to apply for a fee-free TAFE course in Queensland
Once you have confirmed that you are eligible for a particular course, you will need to check a few more details:
- Where is the course run?
- Is it in person or online study?
- Is it part-time or full time?
- When is the course run?
- How long is the course?
- What is the start date?
Make sure you are able to commit to the course requirements including classes, assessments and workload over the necessary dates.
Then, you are on your way to a brand new career or an upgrade to your existing one! Good luck!
To search for your perfect TAFE course and apply click here.
