Learn by doing with a hands-on Free TAFE course. Explore our fee-free study courses that give you the experience and skills to be ready for the next step in your career.
Learn by doing with a hands-on Free TAFE course. Explore our fee-free study courses that give you the experience and skills to be ready for the next step in your career.
There has never been a better time to train for a new career or reskill into an industry with lots of exciting opportunities.
Free TAFE for priority courses 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.
In addition, RMIT also offers courses via the Free TAFE priority pathways and Free TAFE Short Courses government funded courses.
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 SSAF or materials).
If you are eligible, Free TAFE for priority courses pays the tuition fees for your whole course. However there are still some additional expenses that you will be required to pay including the Student Services Amenities Fee (SSAF), any material fees and any other non-tuition costs associated with your course.
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen, you may be eligible to study Free TAFE for Priority courses in Victoria. Students must first meet the Victorian State Government eligibility criteria which include location, citizenship and education history.
In addition, asylum seekers who hold one of the eligible current valid visa types with study rights may be eligible under the Asylum Seeker VET Program. Find out more about Study opportunities for People Seeking Asylum.
The tuition-free priority course list includes non-apprenticeship courses and 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.
With the Free TAFE priority pathways, you can progress from a certificate to a diploma within the same study area without paying tuition fees for each individual course. This is because the 'once-in-a-lifetime limit' for Free TAFE has now been removed for priority pathways.
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On campus or online
Melbourne City
Full-time 6 months, Part-time 1.5 years
On campus or online
Melbourne City
Full-time 6 months, Part-time 1 year
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On campus
Bundoora, Trades Innovation Centre
Full-time 18 weeks
On campus
Melbourne City, Bundoora, Trades Innovation Centre
Full-time 16 weeks
On campus
Melbourne City, Bundoora, Trades Innovation Centre
Full-time 16 weeks
On campus
Melbourne City, Bundoora, Trades Innovation Centre
Full-time 2 years
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On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 6 months
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 1 year
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 1 year
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 1.5 years
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 1 year
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On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 1 year
On campus or online
Melbourne City
Full-time 1 year, Full-time 6 months
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On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 1 year
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 1 year
On campus
Melbourne City, Bundoora
Full-time 1 year
On campus
Melbourne City
Part-time 1 year
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On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 1 year, Part-time 2 years
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On campus
Bundoora, Trades Innovation Centre
Full-time 18 weeks
On campus
Melbourne City, Bundoora, Trades Innovation Centre
Full-time 16 weeks
On campus
Melbourne City, Bundoora, Trades Innovation Centre
Full-time 16 weeks
Unless your course is included in Free TAFE Priority Pathways (or is a Free TAFE Short Course), you can only access one Free TAFE course in your lifetime*, regardless of whether you complete the course or withdraw by the census date (certain exceptions may apply).
Once you begin your studies and attend your first class for your course, you will have accessed your one free place. It is important that you consider whether the course matches your interests and desired outcomes by reading the course guide.
If you are currently studying a Free TAFE course at another provider and plan to transfer to RMIT, the course would continue to be free.
*Exception: Students who have completed any Free TAFE program can also access the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE) under Free TAFE. This is to encourage and support industry-qualified people to pursue a career in VET training.
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 have accessed a Free TAFE course at one TAFE institute and decide to change provider then as long as you are planning to continue the same course but transfer to RMIT from another TAFE, the course would continue to be free.
If you have commenced studying a Free TAFE course but wish to withdraw and enrol in a different course you will not be eligible to do so under Free TAFE.
You can only enrol in one Free TAFE for Priority Course in your lifetime, regardless of whether you complete the course or withdraw by the census date (certain exceptions may apply).
Once you begin your studies and attend your first class for your course, you will have accessed your one free place.
It is important that you consider whether the course matches your interests and desired outcomes by reading the program guide.
The Victorian Government has nominated certain Free TAFE courses to be part of Free TAFE Priority Pathways.
Free TAFE Priority Pathways removes the 'once-in-a-lifetime limit' on Free TAFE courses, meaning that you may be eligible to access more than one tuition free course within the same study area.
For example, you can do a Certificate III, Certificate IV and Diploma within the same priority pathway with Free TAFE covering your tuition fees* for all courses within that pathway.
If you aren’t sure if you are eligible to complete a specific Free TAFE course based on these criteria, contact Study@RMIT.
*You will still be required to pay for any additional expenses such as your Student Services and Amenities Fees, material and other expenses related to your course.
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On campus or online
Melbourne City
Full-time 6 months, Part-time 1.5 years
On campus or online
Melbourne City
Full-time 6 months, Part-time 1 year
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On campus
Melbourne City, Bundoora
Full-time 1 year
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On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 1 year
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On campus
Melbourne City, Bundoora, Trades Innovation Centre
Full-time 2 years
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On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 1 year
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 1 year
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 1.5 years
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On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 1 year
On campus
Melbourne City
Part-time 1 year
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On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 1 year
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On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 1 year, Part-time 2 years
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On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 6 months
On campus
Melbourne City, Bundoora
Full-time 1 year
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 6 months
Free TAFE Short Courses is an initiative offered by the Victorian Government to waive the course fees for select short course skill sets for eligible students.
Short courses are designed to equip students with industry-relevant skills and knowledge. These courses may be short in duration or delivered over a number of block sessions or months, and are not standalone qualifications.
Participation in a Free TAFE Short Course will not impact your entitlement to study a Free TAFE course in the future. There is no cap on the number of skill sets you can enrol in under the Free TAFE Short Courses initiative. You may enrol in a Free TAFE qualification in addition to your Free TAFE Short Courses skill set.
Any Australian citizen or permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen is eligible for Free TAFE Short Courses skill set if they meet the following criteria:
*some exceptions apply
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On campus or online
Melbourne City
Full-time 6 months
Whether you're looking to launch your career or reskill for the future of work, there are many reasons why studying a Free TAFE course in Melbourne might be perfect for you. Here are just a few of the reasons why.
Our Free TAFE options can be completed in as little as six months, giving you the skills you need sooner
RMIT’s certificates and diplomas give you the hands-on experience and skills to be ready for what’s next.
Earn more qualifications by transferring from a TAFE course into a bachelor's degree with an RMIT pathway.
If you need help or have any further questions about Free TAFE or studying at RMIT, our friendly staff at Study@RMIT are available five days a week to assist you.
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 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
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