Media releases

Federation TAFE welcomes the State Government’s budget announcement of $555 million funding to boost vocational education and training, support regional schools and TAFEs, and deliver more Free TAFE courses to help upskill Victoria’s workforce.

Federation recognises the significant investments announced in the 2024/2025 Victorian Budget which will support TAFEs to provide essential support services, training delivery, and help students get the most out of their training.

Federation also welcomes provisions designed to grow a skilled workforce by supporting apprentices, trainees and their employers to meet Victoria’s workforce priorities, and supporting workers to quickly retrain or upskill for high-priority industries with subsidised training and short courses.

Secondary school students and their families will benefit through funding to encourage young people interested in pursuing a trade or vocational studies to finish their education at TAFE, and improved access to VET at schools with short vocational “taster” courses.

The announcement of a $394 million pledge to continue the support of Free TAFE is welcomed. Over 6,000 Federation TAFE students in the Ballarat and Wimmera regions have undertaken Free TAFE courses since the program’s inception in 2019.

Federation TAFE currently has approximately 1500 students enrolled in 31 Free TAFE courses that are helping to address skills shortages in critical areas within regional Victoria. Nursing, Cyber Security, Community Services, Building Surveying, and Training and Assessment rank as the top five most popular Free TAFE courses on offer. 

Federation will continue to work with the Victorian Government on implementing the recently announced budget measures which support Federation TAFE's important role in Victoria's vocational and educational training sector.

Quote attributable to Federation University Australia Deputy Chief Executive, TAFE, Darren Gray

“Federation aims to transform the lives of our students and enhance the communities we serve and the Victorian Government’s recent budget announcement will help boost equity and access to vocational education and training for underrepresented and disadvantaged groups.”

“Over half of Federation’s government funded TAFE students are enrolled in Free TAFE which has had a profound impact on encouraging students to start their journey in their chosen profession. The flow-on effect of the budget announcement will be an increased number of skilled workers for critical industry sectors aligned with Victorian Skills Plan, particularly in regional communities.”