The Victorian 2018-19 budget will allocate $172 million to allow free tuition for 30 priority TAFE courses and 18 pre-apprenticeship courses starting next year.
Radio 3AW state political reporter Lauren Hilbert tweeted a list of 20 non-apprenticeship and 18 apprenticeship courses that will be free in 2019.
List of TAFE courses to be free under Andrews government budget announcement. #SpringSt @3AW693 pic.twitter.com/h8uSiRqr6l
— Lauren Hilbert (@laurenhilbert) May 1, 2018
Free TAFE courses will be offered in areas such as accounting, agriculture, hospitality, health, construction, engineering and service industries.
The Andrews Government will confirm the remaining 10 courses after further consultation.
However, only Australian residents who reside in Victoria are able to access the free courses and International students are not eligible, according to ABC News.
Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas believes that skill building should start at an early age to better prepare students for work by Year 12.
“Skilled workers are in demand, and with good quality training, our kids will be first in line for these good jobs,” he said.
The high-priority courses focus on expanding infrastructure, addressing domestic violence, and providing support for the elderly and people with disabilities.
Another $304 million will be allotted to training Victorians, $120 million to improve three TAFE facilities across regional Victoria and $44 million to upgrade apprenticeships.
