Fee-Free TAFE

In reply to Mr COWDREY (Colton) (23 June 2025). (Estimates Committee A)

The Hon. B.I. BOYER (Wright—Minister for Education, Training and Skills): I have been advised of the following:

As of 27 June 2025, TAFE SA has recorded 18,668 enrolments across all fee-free TAFE (FFT) programs since the initiative began in 2023.

FFT is designed to make education and training accessible to students who may otherwise be unable to afford vocational education. Tranches 1 and 2 of FFT were launched on January 2023 and January 2024 respectively. These agreements primarily focused on general training places for students across priority sectors who receive no employer support to cover course fees.

In October 2024, the fee-free TAFE in Construction (FFTC) program was agreed between the South Australian and Australian governments to provide fee-free TAFE places in critical construction skills in South Australia. A total of 1,340 places have been allocated for FFTC in 2025-26.