AEU WELCOMES ENDURING FEE FREE TAFE

The AEU welcomes the Albanese Government’s announcement today to establish Fee-Free TAFE as an enduring feature of the national vocational education and training system, funding 100,000 Fee-Free TAFE places a year from 2027.

AEU President Correna Haythorpe said this is a decision that benefits TAFE students, teachers, and the broader economy.

“Fee-Free TAFE has been life changing for students, with increased access for a range of people especially those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds or circumstances, and regional and remote areas,” Ms Haythorpe said.

“This unprecedented access to TAFE has opened doors for a new generation of students who previously would not have been able to undertake vocational education.

“For TAFE teachers, Fee-Free TAFE has brought certainty with respect to the courses on offer.”

Ms Haythorpe welcomed the Albanese Government’s commitment to ensuring that TAFE is at the heart of vocational education in Australia.

“Locking in the architecture for Fee-Free TAFE is critically important so that future Governments cannot take TAFE backwards, as we have seen in the past what happens when governments fail to support TAFE,” Ms Haythorpe said.

“There is, however, still a TAFE teaching workforce piece that needs to be undertaken to attract and retain teachers with the skills and knowledge needed for the future. Additionally, these teachers must be supported with appropriate teaching and learning facilities with investment in capital infrastructure and state of the art equipment.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Albanese Government through their tripartite approach.”

Ms Haythorpe also welcomed the Albanese Government’s announcement of a further 20% reduction of student loan debt for those who had studied at university or through vocational education.

“This change to student debt will be of significant benefit to not only students currently undertaking their studies, but also for those newly graduated teachers to reduce their debt and provide cost of living relief,” Ms Haythorpe said.

“This announcement will not only help those who have previously studied and accrued debt, it will also make further education, whether at TAFE or university, more accessible in the future and that will produce dividends in attracting and retaining the teachers of the future.”

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kylie Jensen, 0402 298 728

Meriel Killeen, 0466 393 485

Melissa van der Haak, 0484 674 958