Free TAFE eligibility
Find out who can access Free TAFE in Victoria, including eligibility for residents and asylum seekers, and options for completing multiple Free TAFE courses.
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If you are eligible for Free TAFE, all your tuition fees will be covered. You might need to pay for other costs related to your course like books or equipment.
The following eligibility criteria applies to Free TAFE courses.
Residential status
Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens living in Victoria are eligible for Free TAFE or government-subsidised training.
Asylum seekers
Asylum seekers might be eligible for Free TAFE under the Asylum Seeker VET Program.
Previous qualifications
You can do your first eligible Free TAFE course no matter what qualifications you already have.
Priority pathways
In a priority pathway, you can progress within a study area and get the skills and qualifications you need. For example, you can progress from a certificate to a diploma in the same study area. Free TAFE will cover your tuition fees for both courses. You’ll need to finish one course before starting the next course.
Free TAFE priority pathways are in priority areas that need skilled workers:
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- Accounting
- Agriculture
- Allied health and nursing
- Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
- Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
- Diploma of Nursing
- Auslan
- Building and construction
- Certificate III in Concreting
- Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing
- Certificate IV in Building and Construction
- Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)
- Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying
- Civil construction
- Community services
- Certificate IV in Community Services
- Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs
- Certificate IV in Mental Health
- Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work
- Certificate IV in Youth Work
- Diploma of Community Services
- Diploma of Youth Work
- Dental
- Early childhood
- Education support
- Hospitality and tourism
- Certificate III in Hospitality
- Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
- Certificate III in Tourism
- Certificate IV in Kitchen Management
- Diploma of Hospitality Management
- Information technology
- Nursing and personal care
- Certificate III in Individual Support
- Certificate IV in Ageing Support
- Certificate IV in Disability Support
- Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
- Diploma of Nursing
Free TAFE priority pathways do not include apprenticeship pathway (pre-apprenticeship) courses.
JobTrainer
If you have completed a Free TAFE course under the JobTrainer program, you can also do another Free TAFE course. The second course can be in a pathway or non-pathway program.
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
If you have already completed a Free TAFE course, you can also do the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment under Free TAFE.
You can do this even if you have already:
- completed another course under Free TAFE, Skills First or fee-for-service
- received fee waivers under Free TAFE, JobTrainer or Free TAFE priority pathways.
Short courses
You can do more than one Free TAFE short course. You can also complete a Free TAFE short course and it won’t affect your eligibility for a Free TAFE certificate, diploma, priority pathway or pre-apprenticeship.
Free TAFE short courses will count as skill sets. There are limits on the number of subsidised Skills First training skill sets that you can enrol in:
- 2 at a time: You can enrol in a maximum of two Skills First-subsidised programs at the same time. This includes skill sets and qualifications
- 2 in a year: You can start a maximum of two Skills First-subsidised skill sets or two qualifications in a calendar year.
Exceptions to the limits apply to:
- Course in Identifying and Responding to Family Violence Risk – no limit
- Literacy and Numeracy Support program – no limit
- Plumbing Licence skill sets– no limit
Each TAFE delivers different short courses, so choose a short course on the Free TAFE courses page then find the nearest TAFE to you.
Got a question about Free TAFE?
We’re here to help. Please complete this form with your questions and the TAFE and Training Line will be in touch.
More about Free TAFE
About Free TAFE
Free TAFE helps Victorians get the skills they need, free from tuition fees.
Free TAFE courses
Discover a range of Free TAFE courses in Victoria. Explore by course name or select multiple study areas and course types to narrow your search.
Updated 11 March 2026
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