More than 800,000 Australians have enrolled in Free TAFE since its launch in 2023, with the Albanese Government hailing the program as a key driver in addressing skills shortages and expanding access to vocational education.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the program was helping Australians gain qualifications that lead to secure, well-paid jobs. “Free TAFE is changing lives – that’s why Labor established it, and why we’ve made it permanent,” Albanese said.
“Free TAFE makes sure Australians get the training they need for good, well-paid jobs and the skills that can help build Australia’s future.”
New data released by the Federal Government shows Free TAFE has recorded more than 814,000 enrolments and 258,000 course completions by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
The program has seen strong demand in qualifications linked to priority industries, including nursing, aged care, construction, cyber security and early childhood education.
The latest figures also reveal a significant increase in construction training, with enrolments in Free TAFE construction courses rising by around 15,000 compared with the previous quarter as additional government-funded places were rolled out across states and territories.
Young Australians continue to make up a significant share of participants, with people aged 24 and under accounting for 35 per cent of enrolments. Job seekers represent 24 per cent, while 32 per cent of enrolments come from regional communities and a further 2 per cent from remote Australia.
The Albanese Government said the initiative was introduced to help tackle skills shortages inherited when it came to office in 2022, describing vocational training as central to meeting workforce demands in key sectors.
Last year, Parliament passed legislation making Free TAFE permanent, guaranteeing 100,000 free places each year from 2027.
Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles said the proportion of occupations experiencing skills shortages had fallen from 36 per cent in 2023 to 29 per cent in 2025.
He said Free TAFE was playing a central role in building Australia’s skilled workforce while removing financial barriers to education and retraining.
The Government also criticised the Opposition, noting that the Liberals, Nationals and One Nation voted against legislation to make Free TAFE permanent. The Coalition has argued for alternative approaches to skills and training rather than supporting the permanent expansion of the program.
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