Care sector to benefit from more than 80,000 fee-free TAFE places around Australia

New 12-month Skills Agreements between the Federal Government and its counterparts around the country will support more than 80,000 fee-free TAFE and VET places in the care sector. The free enrolments in Queensland will support around 10,300 care places including 3,000 enrolments in the Certificate III in Individual Support and the Certificate IV in Ageing Support, while Victoria’s Skills Agreement will support around 26,900 places in the care sector over the next 12 months, though at least 3,800 will be in early childhood education. NSW and the Northern Territory are also benefiting from new Skills Agreements; though the number of fee-free care places in the NT has not been specified, NSW will receive 40,200, with 10,000 in early childhood education. In Tasmania, the care sector will see 1,000 fee-free places, including 850 for aged care; WA will see around 8,500 fee-free care places; SA will see 4,000; and the ACT will see 840. According to Federal Skills Minister Brendan O’Connor (pictured), the courses – to be delivered largely through TAFE and public dual sector universities – will help address critical skills gaps and provide new workforce opportunities.

“We believe everyone deserves access to training, and this agreement will increase opportunities and workforce participation of priority groups, including First Nations Australians, young people (17-24), people out of work or receiving income support, unpaid carers, women undertaking study in non-traditional fields, people with disability and certain categories of visa holders,” he said.