GOTAFE is encouraging school-leavers to take advantage of expanded eligibility for free Technical and Further Education, TAFE.
Thousands of Victorian secondary school graduates recently received second-round Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre, VTAC, offers for their preferred TAFE or university course, with four rounds to come for students who are waiting on results.
More students are applying to TAFE outside of the VTAC offers process.
Free TAFE eligibility expanded last year, allowing more community members to be eligible to study for a variety of courses, as they no longer needed to meet specific age, upskilling or reskilling requirements.
GOTAFE, with campuses in Seymour and Wallan, has expanded its list of free courses to include Certificate III in Hospitality and Certificate III in Commercial Cookery.
There are several free courses relating to building and construction pre-apprenticeship, automotive vocational preparation, individual support, community services, and nursing across the Seymour campuses, including early childhood education and care at Wallan’s High Street campus.
New and ongoing students who identify on their enrolments as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander can now access free tuition.
GOTAFE’s acting executive director education Luke Surace said free TAFE provided students with skills for careers without worrying the cost of tuition fees.
“In 2023 increased eligibility for free TAFE saw some 1638 students studying a free TAFE course at GOTAFE,” he said.
“The eligibility changes made for 2023 have remained in 2024, with the addition of more courses and further opportunities for students who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
“The Victorian Skills Plan predicts that one-third of jobs in 2026 will require skills aligned to VET qualifications.
“Free TAFE supports training in those areas of high demand and those facing shortages.”
To explore GOTAFE’s 2024 course offerings, visit www.gotafe.vic.edu.
