Free TAFE for more Victorians
To help you get the skills for the job you want, we’ve made Free TAFE available to more Victorians.
Even if you already have a VET qualification or a university degree, you can now access Free TAFE.
Now, you can also do more than one Free TAFE course within the same occupational pathway. This means you can do a Certificate III, Certificate IV and Diploma within the same pathway without paying tuition fees. For more information about pathways, go to ‘Free TAFE priority pathways’ below.
With more than 70 courses to choose from and even greater access, there is no better time than now to kick-start your new career or to upskill. Check out the Free TAFE courses on this page and find a course that is right for you.
New Free TAFE courses in 2023
The following courses have been included as part of the 2023 Free TAFE course list and are now available. The Victorian Skills lists courses that currently receive government funding.
- Diploma of Auslan
- Diploma of Interpreting (Auslan)
- Advanced Diploma of Interpreting (Auslan)
- Certificate III in Production Horticulture
- Diploma of Emergency Health Care
- Graduate Certificate in Client Assessment and Case Management
The following Free TAFE short courses are also available:
- Agricultural Chemical Skill Set
- Hybrid Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing Skill Set
- Battery Electric Vehicle Diagnose and Repair Skill Set
- Battery Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing Skill Set
- Mental Health Co-existing Needs Skill Set
- Mental Health Peer Work Skill Set
A list of Free TAFE pathway courses can be found under the ‘Free TAFE priority pathways’ menu below.
Find out if you're eligible
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Residential status: Any Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or New Zealand citizen living in Victoria can now enrol in a Free TAFE course or government-subsidised training regardless of their prior skills and qualifications.
Previous qualification: You can do your first Free TAFE course no matter what qualifications you already hold. This applies to all qualifications - whether they be through TAFE or university. This is because the 'upskilling rule' has been removed.
For example, if you did a Bachelor of Arts and you want to change career you can go back and study a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance or a Diploma of Community Services as your first Free TAFE course.
Multiple Free TAFE courses: You can do multiple Free TAFE courses in the same occupational pathway listed under 'Free TAFE priority pathways' below.
This is because the 'once-in-a-lifetime limit' for Free TAFE has now been removed for priority pathways.
For example, in caring occupations if you have completed a Certificate III in Individual Support you can enrol in the Certificate IV in Disability or even the Diploma of Nursing and still access tuition fee-free training.
Students whose only Free TAFE fee waiver was under JobTrainer can also do another Free TAFE course, either in a pathway or non-pathway program.
A list of ‘Free TAFE priority pathways’ is provided below.
For more information, contact the TAFE and Training Line (see Advice on Training and Skills on the left-hand side for contact details).
Please note, Free TAFE priority pathways do not include apprenticeship pathway courses.
TAFE providers
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Victoria's TAFEs deliver high-quality training across the state.
TAFE graduates have the skills and industry experience required to hit the ground running when they start work.
Available courses
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Note: Please contact the TAFE and Training for further information on courses that have no course details.
Advanced Diploma of Interpreting
Certificate III in Allied Health
Certificate IV in Allied Health
Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant
Certificate III in Construction
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and
Certificate III in Health Services
Certificate III in Information
Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure
Certificate III in School Based Education
Certificate III in Supply Chain
Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other
Certificate IV in Building and
Diploma of Building and Construction
Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family
Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer
Certificate IV in Plumbing and
Certificate IV in School Based Education
Certificate IV in Training and
Certificate IV in Work Health and
Certificate IV in Accounting and
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Note: Please contact the TAFE and Training for further information on courses that have no course details.
Apprenticeship pathway courses (sometimes known as pre-apprenticeships) give you the opportunity to experience training that is like apprenticeship training. It can help you find out what it’s like to work in a particular industry.
Pre-apprenticeships can act as a pathway into an apprenticeship, supporting more Victorians to access further training.
Certificate II in Automotive Air Conditioning
Certificate II in Automotive Body Repair
Certificate II in Automotive Servicing
Certificate II in Automotive Vocational
Certificate II in Building and Construction
Certificate II in Construction
Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career
Certificate II in Electrotechnology
Certificate II in Meat Processing (Food
Certificate II in Nursery Operations
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Community services
Certificate III in Community Services *not available for new enrolments
Certificate IV in Community Services
Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs
Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention
Certificate IV in Mental Health
Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work
Certificate IV in Youth Work
Diploma of Community Services
Nursing and personal care
Certificate III in Individual Support
Certificate IV in Ageing Support
Certificate IV in Disability Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
Diploma of Nursing
Accounting
Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
Diploma of Accounting
Agriculture
Certificate II in Agriculture
Certificate III in Agriculture
Certificate III in Dairy Production
Certificate IV in Agriculture
Allied health and nursing
Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
Diploma of Nursing
Building and construction
Certificate III in Concreting
Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing
Certificate IV in Building and Construction
Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services
Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)
Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying
Civil construction
Certificate III in Civil Construction
Certificate III in Civil Construction (Plant Operations)
Certificate IV Civil Construction Supervision
Dental
Certificate III in Dental Assisting
Certificate IV in Dental Assisting
Information technology
Certificate III in Information Technology
Certificate IV in Cyber Security
Education support
Certificate III in School Based Education Support
Certificate IV in School Based Education Support
Early childhood (existing pathway)
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Auslan
Diploma of Auslan
Diploma of Interpreting (Auslan)
Advanced Diploma of Interpreting (Auslan)
More information
For information about courses, visit the Victorian Skills .
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The following Free TAFE short courses are free at TAFE. They do not form part of the Free TAFE course list. Taking a Free TAFE short course will not impact your entitlement to a Free TAFE full qualification.
- Introduction to the National Disability Insurance
- Gender
- Identifying and Responding to Family Violence
- Working Safely in the Solar
- Agricultural Chemical Skill
- Hybrid Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing Skill Set
- Battery Electric Vehicle Diagnose and Repair Skill Set
- Battery Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing Skill Set
- Mental Health Co-existing Needs Skill
- Mental Health Peer Work Skill
Jobs
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With the introduction of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, there is a need for more early childhood educators in Victoria. It is expected that over 2,000 new early childhood educators will be required by 2029. Students who undertake the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care as Free TAFE are also eligible to undertake the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Free TAFE will train early childhood educators for in-demand jobs, including:
- Child Care Centre Manager
- Child Care Worker
- Child Care Group Leader
- Child Care Coordinator
- Child Care Centre Director
- Family Day Care Worker
Free courses
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Whether it's a small business or major infrastructure project, skilled workers are required to meet the growing demand in Victoria's construction and infrastructure industry.
Free TAFE will train skilled workers for in-demand jobs, including:
- Earthmoving plant operators
- Labourers
- Concreters
- Plasterers
- Rail track workers
- Roof tilers
- Wall and floor tilers
- Plumbers
- Construction managers
- Architectural, building and surveying technicians
- Structure steel and welding trades workers
Check out the free courses to support in-demand jobs in the construction and infrastructure industry.
Free courses
- Certificate IV in Building and Construction
- Diploma of Building and Construction
- Advanced Diploma of Building
- Certificate III in Civil
- Certificate IV in Civil Construction
- Certificate III in
- Certificate III in Construction
- Certificate IV in
- Certificate IV in Plumbing and
- Certificate III in Rail
Free apprenticeship pathway courses
- Certificate II in Building and Construction pre
- Certificate II in Construction
- Certificate II in Engineering
- Certificate II in Furniture
- Certificate II in Plumbing
Other courses in construction and infrastructure
The Victorian Skills has all the courses available at Victoria’s TAFEs, including even more in construction and infrastructure.
Aimee's story
"I don’t think I’d have a job today if I didn’t have my pre-apprenticeship. It helped me get the hands-on skills and work experience that employers want."
Award-winning plumber Aimee Stanton went from disengaged high school student and one-time beauty therapist to finding her calling when she enrolled in a Certificate II Plumbing Pre-apprenticeship at Swinburne TAFE.
Being the only woman in her plumbing course was hard, but Aimee stayed tough.
“I didn’t want to be treated differently because I was a girl - I wanted to do everything and anything.
Aimee says practical learning and the facilities at her TAFE, like welding bays and sandpits for digging trenches, prepared her for work.
“When people think about education they think of sitting in a classroom.
“At TAFE, you’re learning every day and you can go off and do all these practical things.”
Aimee moved on to complete her Certificate III in Plumbing which led her to an apprenticeship.
When she was a fourth-year apprentice, Aimee won the Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association (AMCA) President’s Award and Best Female Apprentice at Holmesglen TAFE.
Since then, Aimee landed a job at AG Coombs specialising in Mechanical Plumbing.
“I don’t think I’d have a job today if I didn’t have my pre-apprenticeship. It helped me get the hands-on skills and work experience that employers want.”
She says she now realises that other young people today have similar struggles finding their feet.
“I don’t think kids realise how many opportunities are out there – and with TAFE, you can explore all those opportunities. You don’t just have to go to uni and get a job – there’s so many different things you can do.”
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Skilled workers in the health sector support the NDIS and family violence prevention workforce, meet the demands of our ageing population and support efforts for greater health and dental access across Victoria.
Free TAFE courses will support the sector with more skilled graduates to fill in-demand jobs.
Jobs in this sector include:
- Aged and disabled carers
- Enrolled and mothercraft nurses
- Dental assistants
- Nursing support workers
- Personal care workers
- Welfare support workers
Check out the free courses to support in-demand jobs in the health sector.
Free courses
- Certificate IV in Ageing
- Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other
- Certificate III in Allied Health
- Certificate IV in Allied Health
- Graduate Certificate in Client Assessment and Case
- Certificate III in Dental
- Certificate IV in Dental
- Certificate IV in
- Diploma of Emergency Health
- Certificate III in Individual
- Certificate IV in Mental
- Diploma of
Other courses in health
The Victorian Skills has all the courses available at Victoria’s TAFEs, including even more in health.
Elke's story
Elke Hardy chose a course at Box Hill Institute as her starting point for a rewarding career in nursing.
She is now an enrolled nurse on rotation in an oncology ward, helping care for people with cancer.
Elke completed her course as a mature-aged student, and has since taken on further study.
She recommends the Diploma of Nursing to people of all ages contemplating a career in nursing, saying it taught the skills and knowledge needed to work as an enrolled nurse in a range of health care settings.
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With a focus on community, and supporting the rollout of the NDIS in Victoria and family violence prevention initiatives, there is a need for skilled workers in the community sector.
Free TAFE courses will help meet the demand for skilled workers in roles that support the community.
In-demand jobs include:
- Welfare support workers
- Aged and disability carers
- Nursing support
- Care workers
- Welfare, recreation and community arts workers
- Education aides
- Counsellors
- Court and legal clerks
Check out the free courses to support in-demand jobs in community services.
Free courses
- Certificate IV in Ageing
- Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other
- Diploma of
- Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family
- Certificate IV in Community
- Diploma of Community
- Certificate IV in
- Certificate III in Education
- Certificate IV in Education
- Certificate III in Individual
- Diploma of Interpreting
- Advanced Diploma of Interpreting
- Diploma of
- Certificate IV in Mental
- Certificate IV in Youth
Other courses in community
The Victorian Skills has all the courses available at Victoria’s TAFEs, including even more in the community sector.
Oly's story
TAFE training helped Oly realise a career where he could use his wealth of lived experience to help young people who were struggling with mental health issues.
After years of working as a kitchen hand, Oly was looking for a career where he could use his wealth of lived experience to help young people who were struggling with mental health issues.
After completing a Certificate IV in Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs from Melbourne Polytechnic, Oly is now a valued team member with community mental health service Neami.
In his role as a peer support worker, Oly draws on his own personal experiences to help young people develop strategies and tactics to deal with their own mental health challenges.
Oly said studying at TAFE had given him the confidence he needed to successfully pursue a new career path in mental health services.
'I was so lucky to have such highly skilled and experienced teachers who could take the most complex theoretical ideas and break them down in everyday examples that anyone could relate to,' Oly says.
'The course connected me with the sector and prospective employers, so I always felt confident I would be able to get a job.'
'The study units gave me such a strong theoretical grounding that I knew I would be able to make a real positive difference in people's lives.'
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With a focus on supporting the rollout of the NDIS in Victoria, there is a need for skilled workers in the disability sector. Free TAFE courses will help meet the demand for skilled workers within a range of disability services and related roles.
In-demand jobs include:
- Welfare support workers
- Disability carers
- Nursing support
- Care workers
- Welfare, recreation and community arts workers
- Education aides
Check out the free courses to support in-demand jobs in the disability sector.
Free courses
- Certificate IV in
- Certificate III in Education
- Certificate IV in Education
- Certificate III in Individual
- Certificate IV in Mental
The following skill set is free at TAFE, though it does not form part of the Free TAFE course list. Taking this skill set will not impact your Free TAFE entitlement.
Course in Introduction to the National Disability Insurance
Other courses in disability
The Victorian Skills has all the courses available at Victoria’s TAFEs, including even more in disability services.
Jessica's story
'Be the best leader that you can be,' says 18 year old Jessica Turner from Torquay.
Jessica says she fell in love with the disability sector after volunteering for Access for All Abilities as part of her year 11 studies. The organisation connects people with disabilities to sporting activities in Melbourne.
Along with her year 12 studies, Jessica also undertook a Certificate III & IV in Community Activities (Sports & Recreation) at SEDA College.
The highlight of Jessica’s course was the work placements where she went out to schools and had the opportunity to meet a diverse mix of people doing coaching and sport activities.
Her first placement was with Special Olympics Victoria where she organised sporting activities, medal ceremonies and support for athletes. She believes sports can a positive way to improve daily life, confidence and fitness for people with intellectual disability.
Dinjerra Primary School gave her an opportunity to engage students of refugee backgrounds, promoting inclusive education and social interactions helping kids learn and make friends.
Post-placement Jessica took on a volunteer role at Melbourne City Soccer club, coaching people who are blind and deaf to achieve their best in sport and in life.
Jessica is currently studying a Bachelor of Nursing at Victoria University and she has aspirations to go to medical school.
She believes studying at TAFE opened new pathways for her and she encourages others to do the same.
'I was able to finish school with additional skills and practical work experience,' says Jessica.
'It helped me find a purposeful career direction where I can make a difference.'
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There is demand for TAFE graduates with skills in the agriculture industry to support the Government’s Food and Fibre Strategy and growth in regional Victoria.
In-demand jobs include:
- Crop farm workers
- Livestock farm workers
- Crop farmers
- Livestock farmers
- Gardeners
- Garden and Nursery Labourers.
Check out the free courses to support in-demand jobs in the agriculture industry.
Free courses
- Certificate II in
- Certificate III in
- Certificate IV in
- Certificate III in Agriculture (Dairy
- Certificate III in
- Certificate III in Production
Free apprenticeship pathway courses
Other courses in agriculture
The Victorian Skills has all the courses available at Victoria’s TAFEs, including even more in agriculture.
Chris' story
Farming is in Chris Gallagher’s blood. His family have been doing it for four generations.
While the traditional farming methods have been passed down through the generations, his Diploma of Agriculture from Federation University TAFE taught him more about modern technology and business practices.
Chris' Diploma of Agriculture from Federation University TAFE taught him more about modern technology and business practices.
“I’ve never known anything else. I grew up on the farm learning from my dad,” he says.
“But the diploma course has taken my knowledge to the next level. It’s given me lots of ideas of ways we can do things better, how I can invest in the farm’s future.”
Chris’ family grows potatoes and wheat and keeps lamb and cattle on a 1700 acre farm near Waubra.
“Most of the time I’m on the farm, putting what I’ve learned into practice. Then, every few weeks I go back to TAFE and teach future farmers.
With a growing population meaning more hungry mouths, Chris believes the future of farming is both vital and bright.
“Everyone needs to eat and I want to be part of the answer to meeting increasing demands on the industry.
“In a way, teaching is a bit like farming, you reap what you sow. TAFE is a great example of investing in people so they can be their best, for themselves and society.”
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Contribute to Victoria’s visitor economy as part of our famous cafe, restaurant and tourism sector. Free TAFE courses support in-demand hospitality jobs in both metro and regional tourism hubs.
In-demand jobs in this sector include:
- Bar attendants
- Baristas
- Waiters
- Chef
- Gallery, museum and tour guides
- Tourism and travel advisers
Check out the free courses that are pathways to in-demand jobs in the hospitality and tourism industry.
Free courses
Free apprenticeship pathway courses
Other courses in hospitality and tourism
The Victorian Skills has all the courses available at Victoria’s TAFEs, including even more in hospitality and tourism.
Jessi's story
Jessi McEwan’s cookery course at GippsTAFE (now TAFE Gippsland) set her up as a leading young chef.
Jessi was named Australia’s first Young Chef Ambassador in 2014 and represented Australia at the World Chefs’ Forum as part of the role.
The next year, she received a Victorian Young Achiever Award recognising her many culinary achievements.
Jessi said the training, support and encouragement she received at TAFE had been the perfect base for her career.
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Skilled workers in professional services support the Government's Professional Services Sector Strategy and Digital Technologies Strategy. Free TAFE responds to demand for Victorians with the skills required for the professional services industry.
In-demand jobs in this sector include:
- General Clerks
- Accounting Clerks
- Bookkeepers
- Accountants
- ICT support technicians
- Database and systems administrators
- ICT security specialists
Check out the free courses that are pathways to in-demand jobs in professional services.
Free courses
Other courses in professional services
The Victorian Skills has all courses available at Victoria’s TAFEs, including even more in professional services.
Nasir's story
Nasir Ali’s path to a career in accountancy started with a TAFE course at RMIT.
It helped prepare him for further study, including a business degree and chartered accountancy course.
Nasir is now a corporate accountant and settlements officer in the grain industry.
He credits his earlier TAFE studies for empowering him with the skills and knowledge to continue taking steps towards his career goal.
Reviewed 14 August 2023