Tackling Skills Shortages through Free TAFE

The Palaszczuk Government has partnered with the Australian Government to deliver approximately 37,000 Fee-Free TAFE and vocational education and training places for Queenslanders in 2023.

Skills shortages have been a huge challenge for some time, and we’re taking action to address these shortages in our labour market.

One of the ways we’re doing this is through our Fee-Free TAFE program which trains people in in-demand jobs in industries including health and community services (to support the NDIS and aged care sectors);, agriculture; and tourism and hospitality and many more.

We know that it is vital that we support people locally to obtain the skills they need to fill job vacancies.

To be eligible, you must:

• Permanently live in Queensland
• Be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident (includes humanitarian entrant), temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency, or a New Zealand citizen
• Be aged 15 years or older, and no longer in school
• Not currently be enrolled in a qualification (not including foundation skills training).

Enrolments in Fee Free TAFE are available from 1 January – 31 December 2023 and are only available at TAFE Queensland and CQUniversity.

This is a great opportunity for Mackay locals, including school leavers or those who are looking to upskill or change careers, to gain a qualification at our local TAFE or CQUniversity and create a pathway to a dream career.

84 per cent of TAFE Queensland graduates go into employment or further study.

I’m proud to be part of the Palaszczuk Government, taking action to address skills shortages and creating job opportunities for more Queenslanders.

To view the full qualifications list, or to find out more, visit https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/training-careers/incentives/fee-free-tafe