TAFE

TAFE can be a great way to build your skills and grow your career. It can also be a fantastic pathway into university!

Victorian Government-funded initiatives such as Free TAFE and the Youth Access Initiative, are providing pathways to further learning and training for people who face barriers engaging with tertiary education and employment. We’ve highlighted some of the eligibility for these initiatives below.

Free TAFE

Aims to reduce financial barriers for eligible individuals who want to change careers or upskill.

Provides eligible individuals with access to 80+ tuition-free skills training & TAFE courses.

  • Must be Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents OR New Zealand citizens who:

    • Reside in Victoria

    • Have NOT already undertaken a Free TAFE course previously; OR

    • HAVE undertaken a Free TAFE course that is in the same occupational pathway as your new course. 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.

Youth Access Initiative

Aims to support learners from disadvantaged backgrounds in accessing tertiary education and succeed in their studies.

Provides eligible individuals with access to 600+ tuition-free skills training & TAFE courses.

You can find the latest courses available under this initiative here

  • Must be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen aged 24 or under AND:

    • Be residing in Victoria

    • Have been, or are currently, on a Child Protection Order or a Youth Justice Order (but are not currently in custody), OR

    • Be a young person who has participated or is participating in the Children's Court Youth Diversion Service, OR

    • Be a young person who is a part of the Unaccompanied Minor Humanitarian program, OR

    • Be a resident of an Education First Youth Foyer (for a list of relevant orders and foyer information refer to guidelines).

Along with our dual-sector university partners, Federation University, Swinburne University of Technology, and Victoria University, there are many TAFE institutions across Victoria. Find your local TAFE here, and see the home page and student support pages of each institution below.

Victorian TAFE Institutions