Fee-Free TAFE – success story collection
Fee-Free TAFE - success story collection
Through the Fee-Free TAFE Skills Agreement (formerly known as the 12-Month Skills Agreement), the Commonwealth Government has partnered with states and territories to deliver over $1.5 billion funding for 500,000 Fee-Free TAFE and vocational education and training (VET) places across Australia over 2023 to 2026. More information on this agreement can be viewed on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.
With this story collection TDA aims to celebrate the successful implementation of the Fee-Free TAFE program by TDA members and the positive impact on individuals and priority groups benefiting from this initiative. Explore these inspiring stories below and see how Fee-Free TAFE is transforming lives and communities across Australia.
A single mother-of-five who seized the opportunity Fee-Free TAFE
A pancreatic cancer survivor, Kerryn Griffis is also a single mother-of-five who seized the opportunity Fee-Free TAFE provided to study a Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management to pursue her lifelong passion for conservation.
FEE-FREE TAFE student wins Ramsay’s 2024 Nursing Cadet Student of the Year Award
Laura Feddersen, Diploma of Nursing student at Chisholm Institute of TAFE’s Frankston campus, was chosen from 150 fellow nursing cadets nationwide to win this prestigious award.
Laura was accepted into Ramsay’s cadetship during her FEE FREE TAFE Diploma of Nursing and completed placements at its Beleura Private (Rehab) Hospital, Mitcham Private (Perinatal Mental Health) Hospital and Peninsula Private (Acute) Hospital as part of the program.
She was quickly selected for a graduate position at Ramsay’s Peninsula Private Hospital, only a month after completing her cadetship there.
Fee-Free TAFE helps Tammy reskill as daycare educator
CQUniversity’s childcare training and the Fee-Free TAFE program has helped Tammy Reynolds go back to the classroom and enhance her skills as a primary school teacher.
Tammy, who lives with her family on a farm north of Clermont, was on leave from teaching when she discovered she could still earn and learn as an educator in the childcare sector.
Career change leads to rewarding new role in childcare
With the support of Fee Free TAFE, Bradley Edwards has successfully transitioned his career from retail to early childhood education and care through TAFE SA.
A father of one, Bradley said he had been contemplating a career change since the COVID pandemic and chose the early childhood education and care sector because he was interested in engaging with children and helping them learn.
The “final push” that he needed to enrol in early childhood education and care training was Fee Free TAFE.
Box Hill Institute – Free TAFE student success story
After an extensive career as an Information Technology professional, David found a new purpose as an award-winning horticultural student, thanks to Box Hill Institute (BHI) and Free-TAFE.
Fee Free TAFE students build new careers
Two young Tasmanians have turned a Fee Free TAFE course into a new career.
Max Blazely and Michael Matanofov both studied a Certificate II in Engineering Pathways at TasTAFE’s Alanvale Campus and excelled at the course. As a result of their success in the course, they both quickly earned apprenticeships in the metals industry.
Queensland’s first Fee-Free TAFE mechanics graduate
Queensland’s first mechanics making use of the Federal and Queensland Governments’ Fee-Free TAFE funding have graduated.
A passion for plants leads Jaden to a horticulture career
TAFE Queensland student Jaden McCoach is getting qualified to create inspiring outdoor areas after swapping his science career to become a horticulturist.
Successful fee-free TAFE at CDU
In 2023, 600 students from across the NT were enrolled in fee-free TAFE courses at CDU, with the most common industries studied being agriculture, business, and the care sector.
By early 2024, about 250 students had completed, and more than 300 students were continuing their programs.
Fee Free course starts Estelle’s career
Estelle Wyllie was at a loose end in her career when she happened to see an advertisement for Fee Free TAFE on Facebook.
The post immediately caught her attention, and soon she and her mother were browsing the TasTAFE website to see if she was eligible for Fee Free TAFE and what courses were available.
After leaving a full-time role at a chemist seeking a new career, Estelle was unemployed and not quite sure what she wanted to do next.
