The Australian Education Union (AEU) has today released a report about the Albanese Government’s Free TAFE program, confirming the significant benefits of the initiative and highlighting the risk that a Dutton Government poses to the Australia economy, TAFE teachers, and students.
Key findings of the report Unlocking the full potential of TAFE show that:
- Free TAFE is providing pathways for individuals, and particularly those for whom vocational education is a barrier to further study.
- TAFE is providing access to priority cohorts in greater numbers compared to private RTOs.
- TAFE is addressing critical skills shortages in areas of need.
- Women make up close to 60% of the Free TAFE student cohort, compared to around 50% in the overall body of VET students.
- TAFE program completers are more likely to represent the bottom two quintiles for socio-economic disadvantage when compared to students of private VET providers.
- 56% of parents would encourage their child to explore TAFE as a pathway, whereas only 29% said the same about private registered training organisations.
- TAFE and universities share similar outcomes for employment, with 78% of TAFE students and 79% of university students finding employment after study.
- Among VET graduates who received income support prior to study, 39% are no longer on income support two years after completion.
From January 2023 to September 2024, there were nearly 600,000 enrolments in Free TAFE, including:
- More than 150,000 enrolments in the Care sector.
- More than 54,000 enrolments in the Technology and Digital sectors.
- More than 40,000 enrolments in the Early childhood Education and Care sector.
- More than 39,000 enrolments in the Construction sector.
- More than 22,000 enrolments in the Agriculture sector
AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe said the report highlighted how Free TAFE had been life-changing for students and teachers, and called for the Parliament to pass the Free TAFE Bill (2024) in next week’s Senate sitting.
“The Albanese Government’s Free TAFE program has changed lives, worked towards addressing skills shortages, and provided significant benefits to our economy,” Ms Haythorpe said.
“By contrast, the Coalition has been crystal clear that they do not support Free TAFE, and that it will be cut should Peter Dutton become Prime Minister.
“Passing the Free TAFE legislation is crucial for the survival of the program.
“It’s clear a Dutton Government would see the end of hundreds of thousands of Free TAFE places.
“This means fewer nurses, fewer care workers, fewer early childhood workers, fewer construction workers, fewer technology workers and fewer manufacturing workers at a time when Australia desperately needs them.”
With the federal election looming, the AEU is highlighting the positive impact of Free TAFE, and warning voters of the ramifications of a Dutton Government, intent on cutting Free TAFE.
“The Shadow Assistant Treasurer stated on Sky ‘we won’t do Free TAFE’ confirming they’d cut $1.5 billion from TAFE. The Shadow Assistant Minister for Education has flagged the idea of cutting Commonwealth funding for Free TAFE in a Senate Committee. And the Deputy Leader of the Opposition has called free TAFE a ‘flop’, adding further that, ‘a key principle and tenet of the Liberal Party is if you don't pay for something, you don't value it’.
“Make no mistake, a Dutton Government will cut Free TAFE. This will be devastating for students and teachers, but also for Australia’s economy and for the industries in desperate need of skilled workers. We need all political parties to back Free TAFE in,” Ms Haythorpe said.
MEDIA CONTACT: Kylie Jensen – 0402 298 728
19 March 2025