04 February 2026
The Victorian TAFE Association (VTA) welcomes the introduction of the Free TAFE Guarantee Bill into Parliament today.
The Free TAFE Guarantee Bill reaffirms the role of public TAFEs and dual sector universities as Victoria’s sovereign and trusted training providers.
The introduction of this Bill strengthens long term access to high quality public vocational education and opens the door for thousands more Victorians to train for secure careers with in-demand industries.
The Free TAFE Guarantee will ensure our TAFEs and dual sector universities continue to train nurses, educators, clean energy specialists, IT and cyber security professionals, tradespeople in building, electrical and plumbing, and more.
This investment strengthens TAFE’s vital contribution to Victoria’s economy. The Victorian TAFE Network generate billions of dollars in economic value for the state each year.
Delivering the scale and quality required to meet workforce demands, particularly in critical sectors, will require ongoing, sustainable funding to ensure TAFEs can continue to deliver for industry, learners, and communities.
The VTA urges continued government investment to ensure TAFE can keep meeting rising demand and deliver the high-quality education Victorians expect and deserve.
Quote attributable to Alex White, CEO of the Victorian TAFE Association:
“Free TAFE has saved over two hundred thousand Victorians millions in tuition fees at a time when the cost‑of‑living crisis could have been a barrier to access vocational training.
“To sustain this impact, the TAFE Network requires long‑term, stable funding.
“This Bill shows the government recognises that public TAFE and dual sector universities are vital for Victoria’s prosperity and economic growth.”