Peter Dutton and the Liberal Party have once again walked away from regional communities in Victoria, by opposing the Albanese Government’s Free TAFE Bill.

Given the chance, the Liberals will scrap Free TAFE, denying skills and cost of living relief to hundreds of thousands of Australians. Free TAFE is helping people to secure well-paid jobs and grow the Victoria skilled workforce.

From January 2023 to June 2024, there were 91,200 enrolments in Fee-Free TAFE courses across New South Wales.

The most popular courses included:

• Diploma of Nursing (10,025 enrolments)
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (6,830 enrolments)
• Certificate IV in Cyber Security (6,698 enrolments)
• Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping ( 6,206 enrolments)
• Literacy and Numeracy Support (5,780 enrolments)

Under the Albanese Government, a further 68,000 Free TAFE places will be available in New South Wales between 2024 and 2026.

Labor’s Free TAFE legislation makes the commitment to Free TAFE enduring.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO MINISTER FOR SKILLS AND TRAINING ANDREW GILES

“Labor’s Free TAFE is changing lives and only the Albanese Government is committed to investing in people who want more skills.

“More than 500,000 Australians have jumped at the opportunity to get the skills they want to fill the jobs our nation needs – the question for Peter Dutton is why do the Liberals want to deny NSW’s regional communities of these opportunities?

“The most extraordinary part of the Liberal’s opposition to this bill was when Sussan Ley told Parliament “If you don’t pay for something, you don’t value it”. We will not allow the arrogance of the Liberals to block opportunities for Australians.”

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO LIBBY COKER, MEMBER FOR CORANGAMITE

“Free TAFE is changing the lives of so many people across our region, it’s giving them skills and a qualification to get ahead.

“Now, Labor wants to make Free TAFE permanent, because your bank balance shouldn’t be a barrier to getting a qualification. But it’s all at risk under Peter Dutton and the Liberals who oppose Free TAFE.

“Everyone deserves the right to a decent education and an opportunity for a rewarding job.”

BACKGROUND

• A student training in the Diploma of Nursing can save up to $15,383
• A student training in the Diploma of Community Services can save up to $7,759
• A student training in the Certificate IV in Cyber Security can save up to $3,785
• A student training in the Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping can save up to $3,334