TAFE SA to provide 110 courses for free as part of National Skills Agreement

More than 100 TAFE SA courses will become free as part of a $65m deal to address the state’s skills shortage. Read the full list – and how to apply.

A list of 110 free courses to be delivered by TAFE SA through the interim National Skills Agreement has been released.

Federal funding will make 10,500 places available in areas of high workforce demand in South Australia.

They are part of the federal government’s $1.1bn deal with states and territories to deliver 180,000 fee-free TAFE positions across the country in 2023.

The South Australian deal, which the state government says will inject more than $65m into the state’s skills and training sector, is the first to be unveiled in Australia.

Areas of study include:

AGRICULTURE, horticulture, conservation management and winemaking

ALLIED health, mental health and nursing,

COMMUNITY and youth services, aged care and disability support,

BUILDING and construction, bricklaying, civil

CONSTRUCTION and electrical engineering,

COOKING, baking and food processing,

CREATIVE industries – including screen, media, music and graphic design,

EARLY childhood education

HOSPITALITY, tourism and event management,

INFORMATION technology and cyber security.

Also included are foundation courses designed to help students overcome barriers to training and employment, including vocational preparation for women and English proficiency qualifications.

Another 2000 places will be delivered by other training providers, such as not-for-profit training providers.

Education Minister Blair Boyer said the free TAFE courses would play a “key role” in addressing the state’s skills shortage.

“They will open doors for South Australians who otherwise would be unable to afford training,” he said.

The TAFE SA city campus on Currie Street in the Adelaide CBD. Picture: Colin James

Mr Boyer said the courses would “directly align with areas where we need thousands more workers as we rebuild our health system, prepare for universal three-year-old preschool, build the infrastructure our state needs, and support more major events coming to South Australia”.

“I encourage any South Australians looking for a rewarding career or a career change to visit their local TAFE or go online and apply to take their place in Free TAFE,” he said.

TAFE SA chief executive David Coltman said the fee-free TAFE course list was the first to be launched nationally.

“I am thrilled that South Australia is leading the country in launching this federal and state government initiative for 2023,” he said.

“If you have ever thought about undertaking study at TAFE SA now is the time to apply.”

Mr Coltman said the fee-free TAFE places would help SA “get more people trained and into the workforce”.

“We are excited about what this initiative means for the state,” he said.

The full list of fee-free courses delivered by TAFE SA, their eligibility criteria and how to apply applications can be found at the TAFE SA website.