The Fee-Free TAFE initiative makes vocational education and training more accessible and affordable for Queenslanders, providing opportunities for individuals to upskill, reskill or start their career in high-demand industries.
Fee-Free TAFE 2024 is here
In 2024, the Australian and Queensland governments will provide around 14,500 fee-free places to Queenslanders, with a similar number of places planned for 2025 and 2026.
These places form part of the Australian Government's commitment to deliver a further 300,000 Fee-Free TAFE places across Australia over 3 years from January 2024.
You can access a range of qualifications through the initiative from TAFE Queensland and CQUniversity.
If you started your Fee-Free TAFE qualification in 2023, you will continue to receive fee-free access to that qualification, even if it doesn't finish by 31 December 2023.
Qualifications
View the qualifications list (XLSX, 24KB)
Qualifications and skill sets funded through Fee-Free TAFE are aligned to national and state skills priorities, in-demand areas, and emerging industries to enable Queenslanders to be job-ready and meet current and future skills needs.
Diploma of Nursing
The Queensland Government is fully funding fee-free Diploma of Nursing places in 2024. Up to 3,500 fee-free places will be available through TAFE Queensland, CQUniversity and Mater Education.
Get started
Explore fee-free courses with:
- TAFE Queensland – phone 1300 308 233
- CQUniversity – phone 13 27 86
- Mater Education (for Diploma of Nursing only) – phone 1300 070 350.
Eligibility
Fee-Free TAFE enables Queenslanders to gain new skills or enhance existing skills.
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 (school students are not eligible)
- not currently be enrolled in a qualification (not including foundation skills training)
- not have completed a qualification previously under Fee-Free TAFE (see below about child care exception).
Some courses may require students to hold a relevant qualification as a pre-requisite or be working in the relevant industry. For example, to complete the Battery Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing skill set, you must already hold a trade qualification in the automotive industry.
Visa holders
If you hold a visa, you must ensure your visa subclass is eligible for subsidised training.
Employment status and prior qualifications
You can enrol in a Fee-Free TAFE qualification regardless of your current employment status or the number of qualifications you have previously completed. If you have completed a qualification subsidised under a different funding program, you are still eligible.
However, you can only complete 1 qualification under the Fee-Free TAFE initiative.
The exception is for students who have completed Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care under Fee-Free TAFE. In this case, they may be eligible to access Fee-Free TAFE funding for the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care only (while meeting all other Fee-Free TAFE eligibility).
Restricted qualifications
Some restrictions and/or exemptions may apply for some qualifications. Additional eligibility requirements will be based on industry advice or requirements under the relevant national training package.
Check with your preferred Fee-Free TAFE training provider for any applicable restrictions or exemptions.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Fee-Free' mean?
Fee-Free means the Queensland Government, in partnership with the Australian Government, will cover the cost of training, so eligible students don't pay tuition fees.
However, students may incur related costs such as uniforms and resources costs.
Can I enrol in more than 1 qualification?
No, students may only complete 1 qualification under Fee-Free TAFE.
The exception is for students who have completed Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care under Fee-Free TAFE. In this case, they may be eligible to access Fee-Free TAFE funding for the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care only (while meeting all other Fee-Free TAFE eligibility).
Note that students cannot be enrolled in multiple qualifications at the same time, regardless of the funding source.
Can I attend another Skills Assure Supplier to undertake Fee-Free TAFE?
Fee-Free TAFE is only available at:
- TAFE Queensland
- CQUniversity
- Mater Education (for Diploma of Nursing only).
How long will Fee-Free TAFE be available?
There will be up to 14,500 training places each year throughout the 3 years of the initiative (2024 to 2026).
In 2024, 3,500 places will be allocated for the Diploma of Nursing.
Student numbers may be capped for some qualifications so funding can be made available each year, especially for popular qualifications.
As industry priorities change and new qualifications and skill sets are developed, the list of approved courses may change. View the qualification list. The approved courses will be reviewed annually.
What if I'm not eligible for the Fee-Free TAFE initiative?
The Queensland Government subsidises a range of programs to reduce training costs for eligible Queensland students enrolling in high priority qualifications.
These programs include Certificate 3 Guarantee, Higher Level Skills, User Choice, Skilling Queenslanders for Work and Free Apprenticeships for under 25s.
You can also speak with your preferred training provider to get more information on available options to help reduce the cost of training.
Are there free apprenticeship options for under 25s?
If you're under 25 you may be eligible for the Free Apprenticeships for under 25s program. The Queensland Government will cover the cost of your training with a training provider in a high priority apprenticeship or traineeship.
The Free Apprenticeships for under 25s program is separate to the Fee-Free TAFE initiative.