21 November 2025
Today’s Commonwealth Free TAFE Q3 2025 snapshot confirms that 143,460 Victorians have embraced the opportunity to train at a TAFE for the jobs of the future.
This surge in enrolments clearly shows that removing financial barriers enables more Victorians turn to TAFE to get training, upskilling and reskilling.
These numbers are a triumph for access and equity and demonstrate that the public training system is doing the heavy lifting to address the state’s critical skills shortages in housing, health, and clean energy.
However, funding rates have not kept pace with inflation for a decade, which means institutes must deliver more with less. Despite this, TAFEs continue to deliver world-class training outcomes with pre-pandemic level resources.
To ensure we can continue to deliver the high-quality training, the Victorian Government must uplift the base subsidy rate to cover the true cost of delivery to ensure TAFE operates from a more sustainable footing.
The Free TAFE data is available here:
https://www.dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/resources/feefree-tafe-program-snapshot-quarter-3-2025
Quotes attributable to the CEO, Victorian TAFE Association:
“The Free TAFE figures are a resounding vote of confidence from the Victorian community in our TAFE Network. With over 143,000 enrolments, Victorians know that public TAFEs are the engine room of the state’s workforce.
“We are proud to be training the diversity of workers Victoria needs to build our homes and clean energy infrastructure, and support our hospitals and early childhood centres. TAFE is delivering on the government’s biggest priorities.
“But an engine needs fuel to run at full capacity. We need a funding model that reflects the true cost of delivering our world-class public vocational education.”