- Published:
- Monday 19 October 2026 at 12:30 pm
The designs for the new national Digital, AI and Technology Centre of Excellence have been released.
The TAFE centre is led by Chisholm Institute and will be built at its Frankston campus. The design is by Tectura Architects.
Students will learn in specialised spaces, including:
- cybersecurity simulation labs
- artificial intelligence (AI) training spaces
- robotics and hardware workshops
- training in the server room.
These facilities will give students practical, hands-on experience.
The centre will include:
- large immersive screens
- interactive displays
- high-performance computers
- specialised lighting.
The project will cost $30 million. It is being funded jointly by the Australian and Victorian Governments.
The Centre of Excellence will help address shortages of workers with digital skills. Over the next 10 years, more than 1.2 million Victorian workers will need digital skills to take part in work and the community.
It will bring together TAFEs and industry partners to develop new training programs that prepare students for jobs in growing technology fields.
National TAFE Centres of Excellence in Victoria
Victoria is home to 4 national TAFE Centres of Excellence. As well as the Digital, AI and Technology Centre of Excellence, the Victorian and Australian Governments are partnering to deliver the:
- Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence, led by Melbourne Polytechnic
- Home and Community Care Centre of Excellence, led by Holmesglen Institute
- Renewable Energy TAFE Centre of Excellence, a consortium of TAFE Gippsland, South West TAFE, Holmesglen Institute and Federation TAFE.
Benefits for students and industry
The Centres of Excellence will share innovative approaches to developing skills with TAFEs across Victoria and Australia.
This will help all TAFEs provide training that:
- meets industry needs
- prepares students for jobs
- keeps pace with changing skills demands.
Updated