Free tafe for Year 12 graduates

To support Year 12 graduates into work, the Queensland Government offers free tafe in high priority areas.

If you graduated Year 12 in 2019, you can kick-start your career by getting the skills employers want without the fees.

Eligible Year 12 graduates must enrol and start training in a high priority qualification within the calendar year after leaving school to take advantage of this great opportunity.

The 2020 school leaver's guide to jobs and training (PDF, 2.5MB) provides school leavers with useful information on a broad range of industries, careers and vocational education and training options, which may assist in choosing the right industry and training option for you.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for free tafe, you must:

• have completed Year 12 in Queensland and hold a Senior Statement issued by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority or equivalent certification
• enrol and start an apprenticeship, traineeship or training with an approved training provider in a high priority qualification by 31 December the year after graduating (e.g. 2019 graduates have to start by 31 December 2020)
• permanently reside in Queensland.

Individuals who hold a visa must also ensure their visa subclass is eligible for subsidised training.

Eligibility rules also apply for apprenticeships and traineeships.

Steps to access free tafe

Follow these steps to access free tafe for Year 12 graduates.

Step 1: Think about your options

Think about what you want to study, what you're good at, what you care about and what you enjoy.

Ask people about careers that interest you.

Seek career planning and advice to narrow your choices.

Step 2: Find a qualification

There are 172 qualifications to choose from. Some qualifications are delivered on campus or as part of an apprenticeship or traineeship.

If your qualification is delivered via an apprenticeship or traineeship, you will need to find an employer. It could be a business or group training organisation that places you with businesses.

New free tafe courses now available

We have recently added the following new courses:

• Certificate II in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
• Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
• Certificate II in Health Support Services
• 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 Indigenous Environmental Health
• Certificate III in Pathology Collection
• Certificate III in Pathology Assistance
• Certificate III in Sterilisation Services.

Step 3: Choose where to study

Like your study choice, choosing the right training provider requires research.

On the Queensland Skills Gateway, enter your chosen qualification name in the Keyword field

When you are presented with a list of results, click on the 'View Providers' icon.

You can then contact these providers directly for more information, including course details and how to enrol.

OR

For apprenticeships and traineeships, follow the steps to get started.

What's free?

Free means the Queensland Government will cover the full cost of training in a high priority qualification, so eligible students don't contribute to training fees.

However, students may incur related costs such as uniform and resource costs for apprentices and trainees.

More information

Read Frequently asked questions.

Eligibility rules for apprenticeships and traineeships under Free tafe for Year 12 graduates.

For more information, phone 1300 369 935.

Last updated 18 November 2020