THE HON STEPHEN JONES MP

ASSISTANT TREASURER

MINISTER FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES

MEMBER FOR WHITLAM

ANNA WATSON MP

PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR ROADS,

PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORT AND ROADS

MEMBER FOR SHELLHARBOUR

MEDIA RELEASE

After a decade of neglect under the Liberals, the Albanese and Minns Governments are addressing local skill shortages and removing financial barriers for Illawarra students through Fee-Free TAFE.

Federal Member for Whitlam Stephen Jones and Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson have today toured the TAFE NSW Shellharbour campus to speak with staff and nursing, ageing and disability students enrolled in local Fee-Free TAFE courses.

350,000 Australians enrolled in Fee-Free TAFE across the nation last year, in priority areas including:

• Agriculture
• Aged, Disability and Community Care.
• Technology and Digital.
• Construction.
• Defence.
• Early Childhood Education and Care.
• Hospitality and Tourism.
• Manufacturing

According to latest government data (2023), there are a total of 2,700 Fee-Free TAFE enrolments across the Illawarra:

Enrolments in Fee-Free TAFE are highest in New South Wales (more than 153,000), followed by Queensland (nearly 58,500) and Victoria (over 44,500), as of 1 January 2023 to 30 September 2023.

Due to high demand, the Albanese Government is funding an additional 300,000 Fee-Free TAFE and VET places from 2024 to 2026, providing cost of living support for local families and making it easier for people to be trained with skills in priority areas.

These additional places have been made possible through a Commonwealth investment of $414.1 million, in collaboration with State and Territory Governments.

Fee-Free TAFE provides tuition-free courses to students wanting to train, retrain or upskill in priority areas.

Eligible students can study for an accredited diploma, certificate, or short course without incurring a cost for the tuition fees.

More information on Fee-Free TAFE is available at www.yourcareer.gov.au/fee-free-tafe.

Quotes attributable to Member for Whitlam Stephen Jones:

“We’re investing in Fee-Free TAFE so locals can be trained up and secure well-paid jobs in areas of high demand and skills need.

“As a former community worker for various front line disability services, it gives me great joy to see so many students enrolled to study the care industry here in Shellharbour.

“After a decade of neglect by the Liberals, the Albanese Government is making studying at TAFE more accessible. It’s part of our plan to provide cost of living support for local families and address skills shortages.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson:

“Shellharbour is blessed to have a TAFE campus close to the City Centre for local students to attend.

“I encourage school leavers or those seeking a career change to check out the extensive list of Fee-Free TAFE courses available at Shellharbour.

“I’m pleased that in New South Wales, there are nearly 100,000 women enrolled in Fee-Free TAFE. There are also over 8,400 people with a disability and more than 7,400 First Nations Australians being trained up for jobs."

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