The latest Fee-Free TAFE snapshot shows more than 851,000 enrolments between the program’s commencement in January 2023 and 30 June 2026. Over $1.5 billion has been committed through agreements between the Commonwealth and State and Territory governments to support more than 500,000 Fee-Free TAFE and VET places over four years.
The snapshot also indicates that the program is reaching many of its intended cohorts:
- women account for 523,660 enrolments, or 61.5 percent of the total
- people aged 24 and under: 306,595 enrolments
- job seekers and income-support recipients: 209,285
- people with disability: 76,060
- First Nations Australians: 53,010, and
- almost 34 percent of enrolments have been from students in regional and remote locations.
Enrolments are understandably concentrated in areas of workforce demand:
- care courses account for 236,540 enrolments
- construction – 78,420
- technology and digital skills – 75,365,
- early childhood education and care – 68,340, and
- hospitality and tourism – 31,635
By the end of June 2026, 276,990 completions had been reported and the most frequently completed qualifications include the Certificate III in Individual Support, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, Diploma of Nursing and Certificate IV in School Based Education Support.
