TAFE applications increase 65 per cent since introduction of fee free initiative

TAFE applications are up 65 per cent as the government’s fee-free initiative soars in popularity. Search our full interactive list to see if you received a first round offer.

Interest in vocational education has soared with a sharp increase in TAFE enrolments since their fee-free initiative was launched.

TAFE received a total of 15,100 applications for 2024, up 65 per cent from two years ago since the fee-free initiative was introduced – to help boost enrolments in courses that will fill in-demand roles and address key skills shortages.

More than 10,600 places were used for fee-free study at TAFE in 2023.

More than 8300 applicants, including non fee-free students, have already received a TAFE SA offer for semester 1 this year.

Popular courses undertaken by fee-free TAFE students include a Certificate III in pathology collection, which saw a 16 per cent increase since the initiative was introduced.

Education Minister Blair Boyer said it was “fantastic to see such a significant increase” in TAFE enrolments.

“We have been working tirelessly to rebuild TAFE SA over the past two years and we are seeing the results with more South Australians getting the skills they need for the jobs we’re creating,” Mr Boyer said.

“We will continue to invest in rebuilding TAFE SA for the benefit of future generations of South Australians.”

TAFE SA chief executive David Coltman said the vocational education provider was “working closely” with industry to address skills needs and shortages.

“With the growth in demand for skills in current, new and emerging industries, the importance of addressing skills shortages and also increasing our skilled workforce has never been more important,” Mr Coltman said.

The most popular courses for 2024 include nursing, IT support and business and administration.

A number of new courses have also been introduced for 2024 in areas including cyber security, cookery, beauty therapy and fashion.

“The innovative approaches of our educators to utilising technology … ensures that access and flexibility are now key to our course development and delivery,” Mr Coltman said.

Further offers are set to be made weekly from January 12 until applications close for Semester 1 on April 19.

TAFE students Harry Giles, who is undertaking a Cert 3 in Mechanical Engineering and Tamara Moreno, who is doing a Diploma of Hospitality Management. Picture Matt Turner.

University is not the only pathway to employment

Bolivian migrant Tamara Moreno came to Australia with her parents and stepbrother three years ago for increased job opportunities but she found it difficult to communicate with a poor grasp of English.

“It’s really hard to get a job in Bolivia,” Ms Moreno, 24, said.

“So many of my friends (in Bolivia), they were in careers but they can’t find jobs.”

She said friends already studying at TAFE persuaded her to enrol.

“They helped me a lot with my pronunciation and grammar,” Ms Moreno, who is living in Newton, said.

“I had basic English, like ‘hi, how are you’, some questions but not that much.”

Ms Moreno said now her English has improved, she has her sights set on a job in hotel management.

While she was studying English, TAFE alerted her to courses in hospitality, which she took up.

“Because I did housekeeping I got a job in SkyCity,” Tamara said.

“I love everything about the hotel.”

Tamara now studies hospitality at TAFE full time and has continued her English course two nights a week.

And 22-year-old apprentice fitter and turner Harry Giles said TAFE was a perfect fit after dyslexia left him “anxious all the time” at school.

“Once I started it, I didn’t quite know what I was in for but I’ve fallen in love with the trade,” Mr Giles, from South Plympton, said.

He is in his third year of a Cert III in mechanical engineering, a course he has been undertaking while working.

“I love my hands-on stuff,” Mr Giles said.

Upon leaving Emmaus Christian College in 2019, Mr Giles said he was pressured to go to university over TAFE.

“You’ve got the stigma of if you don’t go to uni you’re not smart, but if you look at the society we live in, it’s all built by tradies,” he said.