- Published:
- Friday 24 April 2026 at 11:30 am
Free TAFE changes lives – and the Allan Labor Government is guaranteeing it.
This 2026/27 Victorian Budget backs Free TAFE as part of a $459.4 million investment in skills and training.
Free TAFE
The Budget invests in more Free TAFE places in 2027.
The investment is expected to support 15,000 additional students.
Thanks to Free TAFE, enrolments are already at their highest in over a decade.
More than 60,800 people are currently enrolled in a Free TAFE course – a record number.
Since its introduction, Free TAFE has saved more than 245,000 students more than $816 million in tuition fees – saving them an average of more than $3,300 each.
The Free TAFE Guarantee is now law, so Victorians know they can get the skills they need for the job they want.
TAFE Campuses and Upgrades
The Budget funds three new TAFE Centres of Excellence in partnership with the Australian Government:
- Victorian Renewable Energy TAFE Centre of Excellence – led by TAFE Gippsland in partnership with Holmesglen, South West TAFE and Federation University
- Home and Community Care TAFE Centre of Excellence – led by Holmesglen
- Digital, AI and Technology TAFE Centre of Excellence – led by Chisholm
The Budget also delivers:
- $10 million in upgrades to TAFE campuses, including new equipment for students at Wodonga TAFE studying clean energy, and making campuses more accessible for people with disability
- $5.4 million in partnership with the Australian Government for the VET Educator Academy, offering professional development and earn-and-learn pathways for people starting a career as an educator
- Wrap-around support services for TAFE students, to help more students complete their qualifications
Victorians remember when the Liberals cut $1 billion from TAFE, sacking more than 2,000 TAFE teachers and shutting 22 TAFE campuses.
Only Labor will protect TAFE – and only Labor has new solutions to make life easier, safer and more affordable.
Quotes attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan
"Free TAFE is already saving Victorians thousands – it’s a huge cost-of-living boost for anyone building their career.”
“The Liberals cut TAFE and closed campuses. Labor made TAFE free and we’re upgrading campuses.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Skills and TAFE Colin Brooks
“It’s now easier and cheaper than ever for Victorians to pursue a long-term career.”