How Fee-Free TAFE benefits ADF families
Looking for a new career in a growth industry in Canberra? Make the most of Fee-Free TAFE courses.
As a member of a military family, you know how challenging it can be to balance your education and career goals with your family's unique lifestyle. With frequent moves and deployments, it can be tough to find stability and build a successful career.
The RSL Veterans’ Employment Program is dedicated to supporting the career ambitions of current and former ADF members, their partners, and their working-aged children. And part of that support means identifying opportunities to upskill.
With the Australian Government's Fee-Free TAFE program, individuals have the opportunity to gain valuable skills and qualifications without breaking the bank. And with women, unpaid carers, and young people prioritised in the eligibility requirements (among other groups), this program is set to support many ADF and veteran families.
What is Fee-Free TAFE?
The Australian Government, in partnership with all the states and territories, is delivering 180,000 Fee-Free TAFE and vocational educational places at a cost of $1 billion throughout 2023.
Through Fee-Free TAFE, you can study an accredited diploma, certificate, or a short course in a range of sectors experiencing skill shortages or growth areas. These include care (aged care, childcare, health care, and disability care), technology and digital, hospitality and tourism, construction, agriculture, and sovereign capability (defence industries). Moving into a growth industry is a great way to future-proof your career. We talk more about that in this article.
Fee-Free TAFE courses offer a great opportunity for eligible individuals to upskill and hit the ground running in their desired industry. These courses can prepare students for work in fast-growing industries that require skilled workers, and can lead to fulfilling and meaningful careers.
Who is eligible for Fee-Free TAFE?
Eligibility for Fee-Free TAFE includes several priority groups, including First Nations Australians, young people aged 17-24 (we’re looking at you, ADF kids!), people who are out of work or receiving income support payments, unpaid carers, women facing economic insecurity, women undertaking study in male-dominated fields (specifically construction and electronics), people with disabilities, and certain categories of visa holders.
Fee-Free TAFE in the ACT
Federal Minister for Skills and Training the Hon Brendan O’Connor and ACT Minister for Skills Chris Steel are encouraging eligible applicants to enrol in Fee-Free TAFE courses on offer through the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT).
“Skills shortages are gripping the nation, and the ACT is no exception. It is vital that we support people locally to obtain the skills they need to fill job vacancies,” Minister O’Connor said.
“The Australian Government’s agreement with the ACT Government will deliver immediate support for over 2,500 fee-free training places at CIT in 2023. This will ensure access to a wide range of training opportunities in skills needs areas for eligible Canberrans, to support vital and emerging industries in the ACT economy.”
What can I study with Fee-Free TAFE?
From childcare to remedial massage, hospitality to content creation, there’s a fee-free TAFE course for just about everyone. 46 qualifications and pre-apprenticeships are available fee-free at CIT to eligible students. Here’s what’s on offer:
Care sector qualifications
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care CHC30121
Certificate III in Dental Assisting HLT35021
Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (Assisting in nursing work in acute care) HLT33115
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) CHC33015
Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) CHC33015
Certificate III in Individual Support (Home and Community) CHC33015
Certificate IV in Ageing Support CHC40315
Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs CHC43215
Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs CHC43215 (designed for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples)
Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Occupational Therapy) HLT43015
Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Physiotherapy) HLT43015
Certificate IV in Community Services CHC42015
Certificate IV in Community Services CHC42015 (designed for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples)
Certificate IV in Disability CHC43115
Certificate IV in Mental Health CHC43315
Certificate IV in Mental Health CHC43315 (designed for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples)
Certificate IV in Youth Work CHC40413
Diploma of Community Services CHC52015
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care CHC50121
Diploma of Remedial Massage HLT52015
Statement of Attainment - Health Starter
Statement of Attainment - Induction to Disability CHCSS00081
Statement of Attainment - Introduction to Education Support
Statement of Attainment - Team Leader CHCSS00091
Foundation skills qualifications
Statement of Attainment - Communication for the Workplace
Statement of Attainment - Literacy for the Workplace
Statement of Attainment - Numeracy for the Workplace
Statement of Attainment - Preparing for Work
Other qualifications
Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
Certificate II in Animal Studies
Certificate III in Hospitality
Certificate III in Business BSB30120
Certificate III in Fitness SIS30321
Certificate IV in Cyber Security 22603VIC
Pre-apprenticeships
Certificate II in Construction Pathways CPC20220
Certificate II in Electronics UEE21920
Statement of Attainment - Bar Service
Statement of Attainment - Customer Service [SITSS00078]
Statement of Attainment - Food Safety Supervision Skill Set [SITSS00069]
Statement of Attainment - Hospitality Compliance Skill Set [SITSS00070]
Statement of Attainment - Responsible Service of Alcohol [SITSS00071]
Short courses
Statement of Attainment - Camera Skills for Screen
Statement of Attainment - Cyber Security Awareness Skill Set
Statement of Attainment - Cyber Security Threat Assessment and Risk Management Skill Set
Statement of Attainment - Editing for Screen
Statement of Attainment - Introduction to Cyber Security Awareness
Statement of Attainment - Introduction to Organisational Cyber Security
Statement of Attainment - Preparatory Skill Set for Professional Graphic Design Practice CUASS00105
Statement of Attainment - Skills for Creative Thinking
Statement of Attainment - Write Content for Media
Start your career in a growth industry
If you are leaving school or the ADF, looking for work, or wanting to have a meaningful career that can make a difference, Fee-Free TAFE courses could be a great option for you.
And if you could use a hand deciding what course is right for you, the RSL Veterans’ Employment Program can help. We offer personalised career guidance for current for former ADF members, their partners, and their working-aged kids. Best of all, it’s free! Reach out to us today.
Want to see more content like this? Check out all our employment articles here.