Free TAFE Courses

Free TAFE is a Victorian Government program that covers tuition fees for priority courses for students who are eligible for government-subsidised training. There may still be some costs like course materials, uniform or excursions applicable to the course you select.

Hold a higher qualification or have previously used their Free TAFE entitlement? You may still be eligible to access a Free TAFE place under JobTrainer.

South West TAFE is offering over 30 Free TAFE for Priority courses

Free TAFE courses - Agriculture + Horticulture

• Certificate II in Agriculture
• Certificate II in Agriculture (traineeship)
• Certificate III in Agriculture
• Certificate III in Agriculture (traineeship)
• Certificate III in Agriculture (Dairy Production)
• Certificate III in Agriculture (Dairy Production) (traineeship)
• Certificate IV in Agriculture
• Certificate IV in Agriculture (traineeship)
• Certificate II in Horticulture
• Certificate II in Horticulture (traineeship)
• Certificate III in Horticulture
• Certificate III in Horticulture (traineeship)

Free TAFE courses - Building & Construction

• Certificate II in Building and Construction (Pre-apprenticeship)
• Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building)
  
• Certificate III in Civil Construction - Pipe Laying (traineeship)
• Certificate III in Civil Construction - Road Construction & Maintenance (traineeship)
• Certificate II in Furniture Making (Pre-apprenticeship)

Free TAFE courses - Business & Finance

• Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping 
• Diploma of Accounting 

Free TAFE courses - Children's Services

• Certificate III in Education Support 
• Certificate III in Education Support (traineeship)
• Certificate IV in Education Support 
• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (traineeship)
• Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
• Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (traineeship)

Free TAFE courses - Food & Hospitality

• Certificate III in Hospitality (traineeship)
• Certificate III in Hospitality (workplace-based)
• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
• Certificate II in Meat Processing (Food Services)

Free TAFE courses - Nursing, Health & Community Services

• Certificate III in Community Services
• Diploma of Community Services 
• Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention
• Certificate IV in Disability
• Certificate IV in Disability (traineeship)
• Certificate III in Individual Support
• Certificate III in Individual Support (traineeship)
• Diploma of Nursing
• Introduction to the National Disability Insurance Scheme

Free TAFE courses - Trades & Maritime

• Certificate II in Automotive Air Conditioning Technology
• Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation
• Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology (school-based traineeship)
• Certificate II in Electrotechnology Studies (Pre-vocational)
• Certificate II in Engineering Studies
• Certificate IV in Engineering
• Certificate II in Plumbing (Pre-apprenticeship)
• Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services

Free TAFE courses - Tourism

• Certificate III in Tourism
• Certificate III in Tourism (traineeship)
• Certificate III in Tourism (workplace-based)

Who is eligible for Free TAFE courses?

Any Australian citizen or permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen is eligible to do a Free TAFE course in Victoria if they meet one of the following criteria:

Under 20 or upskilling:

• are under 20 (regardless of any other qualifications), or
• are 20 or older and enrolling in a course that is a higher qualification than you've previously attained.

Victorians who are:

• unemployed and clients of the Jobs Victoria Employment Network
• retrenched workers
• automotive supply chain workers
• wanting to reskill, change careers, improve their employment prospects and/or meet the needs of local industries may be exempt from the eligibility criteria.

Please note: The Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative will pay your tuition fees for only one course. Once you have enrolled in a Free TAFE course, you cannot get a Free TAFE place again, even if you do not finish your first Free TAFE course.

Ineligible for a Free TAFE course?

If you don’t meet these criteria you may qualify for an eligibility exemption. An exemption will enable you to receive a Free TAFE place. Enquire now to find out if you qualify.

Find out more

Have you checked our frequently asked questions? You'll find your answer there.
If you need to check your eligibility or enquire about a course, contact us.