Free TAFE for priority courses

Free TAFE for priority courses

Free TAFE courses give more Victorians the chance to get the skills they need to land a job that’s in demand. There’s never been a better time to train for what’s next.

Free TAFE for priority courses

Free TAFE courses give more Victorians the chance to get the skills they need to land a job that’s in demand. There’s never been a better time to train for what’s next.

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What is Free TAFE?

Free TAFE gives more Victorians the chance to gain the skills they need at TAFE. Eligible students do not pay tuition fees for a range of vocational qualifications associated with in-demand jobs.  

There has never been a better time to train for a new career or reskill into an industry with lots of exciting opportunities.

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Any Australian citizen or permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen is eligible to do one Free TAFE for priority course in Victoria if they meet the following criteria:

  • under 20 or upskilling
  • aged under 20 (regardless of any other qualifications they might hold)
  • are 20 or older and enrolling in a course that is a higher qualification than the highest qualification previously attained

Victorians may also be eligible if they need additional support and are:

  • unemployed and clients of the Jobs Victoria Employment Network
  • retrenched workers
  • automotive supply chain workers
  • looking to change careers
  • Victorians who want to reskill, change careers, improve their employment prospects and/or meet the needs of local industries, subject to availability of TAFE places, and prioritised based on need.
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Check out the upcoming Future Thinkers Forum 

What's next awaits at this forum where industry leaders and career experts can help you upskill, reskill or return to study. Register to join us in person on Tuesday 25 October.

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Considering Free TAFE? Hear how these graduates are shaping what's next.

We caught up with three Free TAFE graduates to find out what their experience was like at RMIT, and how they’re course has opened the door to rewarding new opportunities and jobs.

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Browse Free TAFE courses by study area

Accounting

Program

Postgraduate

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Research

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Online

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Building

Program

Postgraduate

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Research

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Online

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Community services

Program

Postgraduate

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Research

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Online

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Education

Program

Postgraduate

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Research

Eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo.

Online

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Health

Program

Postgraduate

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Research

Eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo.

Online

Eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo.

Information Technology

Program

Postgraduate

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Research

Eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo.

Online

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Trades

Program

Postgraduate

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Research

Eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo.

Online

Eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo.

Check your eligibility for government-subsidised short courses
RMIT is offering free accredited training designed to meet priority workforce needs in a number of specialty areas, including a CI White Card for construction and introductory courses for translating.
Learn more
New to the disability sector?
Take this one-day Introduction to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) course to create pathways into further qualifications.
Learn more

Frequently asked questions

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  • The tuition-free priority course list includes 42 non-apprenticeship courses and 20 courses that provide pathways to apprenticeships (also known as ‘pre-apprenticeships’).
  • The tuition-free priority courses lead to occupations in industries where there are likely to be more jobs. Some of them lead to work in important areas like preventing family violence, rolling out the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Victoria and delivering our major infrastructure projects.
  • Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
  • Diploma of Accounting
  • Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs
  • Advanced Diploma of Accounting
  • Certificate IV in Ageing Support
  • Certificate II in Agriculture
  • Certificate III in Agriculture
  • Certificate IV in Agriculture
  • Certificate III in Agriculture (Dairy Production)
  • Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
  • Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
  • Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building)
  • Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)
  • Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying
  • Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention
  • Certificate III in Civil Construction
  • Certificate IV in Civil Construction Supervision
  • Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
  • Certificate III in Community Services
  • Certificate IV in Community Services
  • Diploma of Community Services
  • Certificate III in Concreting
  • Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing
  • Certificate IV in Cyber Security
  • Certificate III in Dental Assisting
  • Certificate IV in Dental Assisting
  • Certificate IV in Disability
  • Certificate III in Education Support
  • Certificate IV in Education Support
  • Certificate IV in Engineering
  • Certificate III in Horticulture
  • Certificate III in Hospitality
  • Certificate III in Individual Support
  • Diploma of Justice
  • Certificate IV in Mental Health
  • Diploma of Nursing
  • Certificate IV in Plumbing and Service
  • Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure
  • Certificate III in Tourism
  • Certificate IV in Youth Work
  • Certificate II in Automotive Air Conditioning Technology
  • Certificate II in Automotive Body Repair Technology
  • Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology
  • Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation
  • Certificate II in Baking
  • Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship
  • Certificate II in Construction Pathways
  • Certificate II in Electrotechnology Studies (Pre-vocational)
  • Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start)
  • Certificate II in Engineering Pathways
  • Certificate II in Engineering Studies
  • Certificate II in Furniture Making
  • Certificate II in Glass and Glazing
  • Certificate II in Horticulture
  • Certificate II in Meat Processing (Food Services)
  • Certificate II in Plumbing (Pre-apprenticeship)
  • Certificate II in Printing and Graphic Arts (General)
  • Certificate II in Production Nursery
  • Certificate II in Salon Assistant
  • Certificate II in Signage and Graphics

If you are eligible, Free TAFE for priority courses pays the tuition fees for your whole course. If you have any additional fees for student services or materials, you’ll need to cover those.

Only the courses on the tuition-free priority course list are tuition fee-free, but RMIT offers lots of other hands-on certificates and diplomas that you can complete to get job-ready sooner.

Victorian Government-subsidised training is when the Government pays a large portion of the cost of your training if you are eligible, and you make a contribution, by paying fees.  

In contrast, Free TAFE covers all the tuition fees for your whole course. You do not have to pay any tuition fees and you’ll only need to cover additional costs (such as materials). 

Free at TAFE is an initiative offered by the Victorian Government to waive the course fees for select skill sets for eligible students. Participation in a Free at TAFE skill set will not impact your entitlement to study a Free TAFE or JobTrainer course in the future. You may enrol in a Free at TAFE skill set in addition to a Free TAFE qualification.

Learn more about Free at TAFE.

No. Free TAFE only applies to eligible students who enrolled in a tuition-free priority course that commenced after 1 January 2019.

Free TAFE covers your tuition fees for one course. Once you have enrolled in a tuition-free priority course, you can’t get a tuition-free place again, even if you don’t finish your first tuition-free priority course.

To learn more about Free TAFE courses offered at RMIT, contact Study@RMIT.

Free TAFE for priority courses is a Victorian Government program that will pay your tuition fees so that you can study in selected courses at TAFE.

If you are planning to continue the same course but transfer to RMIT from another TAFE, the course would continue to be free.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information