Free TAFE
Free TAFE at Federation
Take advantage of the many free TAFE courses offered at Federation and have your studies fully funded by the Victorian Government.
Free TAFE is a Victorian Government initiative, committed to supporting Victorians to get the skills needed to address critical workforce shortages, regardless of their previous qualifications.
Does it cover all my fees?
If you are eligible, Free TAFE pays the tuition fees for your whole course. Other fees may still apply, such as student services fees or materials fees that you will have to pay for yourself.
Am I eligible for Free TAFE?
Any Australian citizen, permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen is eligible to do one Free TAFE priority course as long as you meet the following criteria:
- You must be a resident of Victoria (or living in a border region), at the time of undertaking your training
- you are undertaking the training in Victoria
- you are not attending a school (this doesn’t include a TAFE) or registered for home schooling in Victoria
- you have not started or be scheduled to start more than two government-subsidised courses in a year
- you will not be undertaking more than two government programs – either courses or skill sets – at any one time
You may be eligible to complete more than one Free TAFE course if it’s included in the Free TAFE pathways initiative. Some Asylum Seekers may also be eligible dependent on their visa sub-class.
Federation TAFE will confirm your eligibility and funding upon application and enrolment in your chosen course.
Free TAFE Pathway Courses
As of 23 December 2022, the Victorian Government’s Department of Education and Training have removed the once-in-a-lifetime limit on Free TAFE courses for the following training pathways:
If you have already completed a qualification within one of these specified pathways (whether through Free TAFE or not) you can complete additional courses in the same occupational pathway through the Free TAFE program.
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 the Diploma of Nursing and access free training, funded by the Free TAFE initiative.
To find out more about any of these courses, please click the course link to be taken to the relevant in-depth course page where you can submit your application of make a course specific enquiry.
Individual Free TAFE Courses
In addition to specified occupational pathways, the Free TAFE initiative provides access to the following individual courses for eligible students:
- Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation - AUR20720
- Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start) - UEE22020
- Certificate II in Engineering Studies - 22632VIC
- Certificate II in Salon Assistant - SHB20216
- Certificate III in Commercial Cookery - SIT30821
- Certificate III in Horticulture - AHC30722
- Certificate III in Hospitality - SIT30622
- Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping - FNS40222
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessment - TAE40122
- Agricultural Chemical Skill Set - AHCSS00074
- Certificate III in Information Technology - ICT30120
- Certificate IV in Engineering - MEM40119
To find out more about any of these courses, please click the course link to be taken to the relevant in-depth course page where you can submit your application of make a course specific enquiry.
Study a Certificate IV in Cyber Security for Free
“I went into this course because I wanted to change up my career entirely, and cyber security was my next big passion.
The need and the importance of website security is bigger than ever has been in the past, and so far I’ve learnt lots of new skills which will hopefully allow me to find work and stay in the region.”
– Ryan Pratt, Certificate IV in Cyber Security
Find out more
If you would like to talk to our helpful staff about studying a fee-free course at Federation TAFE, please contact us on 1800 FED UNI (1800 333 864)..
