Want to be a tradie? Here’s how to get a TAFE course for free

Free TAFE courses will be offered to aspiring tradies of all ages as the government desperately tries to increase skilled workers to deliver its mammoth construction and housing pipeline.

Free TAFE courses will be offered to aspiring tradies of all ages as the state government desperately attempts to ramp up the number of skilled workers to deliver its mammoth construction and housing pipeline.

Free construction apprenticeships for over 25s will be made available from July 1 through to June 30, 2026 and will cover the cost of eight construction courses including carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing and electrician training with TAFE or CQ University.

Australia is currently facing a 90,000 tradie shortfall, expected to impact Queensland most as it attempts to deliver its$107bn capital program alongside an ambitious housing target of one million homes and 53,500 social homes by 2046.

About 82,000 apprentices have accessed Queensland’s free TAFE under 25s program since 2018, with the government hoping to entice an extra 13,000 tradies over the extended two-year funding period.

One third of all construction-related apprenticeships are currently undertaken by people aged 25 and over.

The state government will help Queenslanders get a trade with free TAFE courses.

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Lance McCallum will announce the two-year program on Thursday on the Gold Coast.

“Progressive coal royalties means cost of living shouldn’t get in the way of any Queenslander getting into the high paid hi-vis jobs created by our Big Build,” he said.

It comes after Oxford Economics Australia released new research on construction inflation projected to hit Queensland by2028.

The researched warned government and policymakers to address Queensland’s major labour and productivity shortages during the four-year lull before construction inflation rises to 4 per cent or higher, leading to $200m cost blowouts for all infrastructure and housing projects worth over $1bn.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said Queensland needed more tradies to build homes for the states growing population.

“For the first time, construction apprenticeships are free to Queenslanders of all ages,” she said.

“We don’t just want more Queenslanders to take up a good career in construction, we need them so we can build more Homes for Queenslanders.”

First year apprentices will also be eligible for a $1000 tool rebate if their training commenced on or after January 1.

Apprenticeships available under the free TAFE program include a certificate three in bricklaying, carpentry, construction waterproofing, plumbing, gas fitting, glass and glazing, electrotechnology and painting and decorating.

The free training will be funded under the Homes for Queenslanders plan.

Apprenticeships to be covered under the program include:

• Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying

• Certificate III in Carpentry

• Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing

• Certificate III in Plumbing

• Certificate III in Gas Fitting

• Certificate III in Glass and Glazing

• Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, and;

• Certificate III in Painting and Decorating