- $100 million TAFE investment to skill the workforce of tomorrow
- An additional $21.9 million allocated to make building and construction courses fee-free
- TAFE course fee settings for 2026 remain unchanged from 2025
The Cook Labor Government is continuing to invest in training the workforce of tomorrow, with $100 million in the 2025-26 State Budget to keep TAFE course fees unchanged in 2026 and $21.9 million to fund more fee-free building and construction courses.
The Budget investment delivers on the Western Australian Government's commitment to ensuring all Western Australians can access affordable, world-class training, regardless of where they live.
Fee settings for 2026 will remain unchanged from 2025, across fee-free and low fee courses, providing more training opportunities for Western Australians.
To the end of April 2025 there have been 28,464 enrolments in fee-free qualifications and skill sets and more than 35,010 enrolmentsinLower fees, Local skills qualifications, which reduce course fees by up to 72 per cent.
Fee-free courses related to childhood education and care, nursing, work health and safety, and information technology have been among the most popular.
A further $21.9 million has been allocated in the Budget to make additional construction courses fee-free.
The following building and construction courses will be fee-free from 2026:
- Certificate III in Plumbing;
- Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining;
- Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying;
- Certificate III in Solid Plastering;
- Certificate III in Civil Construction;
- Certificate II in Construction; and
- Certificate II in Construction Pathways.
Adding these seven courses to the fee-free list in 2026, will expand the number of fee-free building and construction courses available for students wishing to pursue this career path.
The WA Government's Made in WA plan is driving growth in major sectors of the economy - from building and construction to housing, renewables and clean energy, advanced manufacturing and the defence industry.
The WA Government is investing in the skills and training of the next generation as well as those who are upskilling and reskilling, ensuring they can make the most of these exciting opportunities.
Continuing to support the TAFE sector with affordable, fee-free and low fee courses ensures a pipeline of skilled workers to meet the growing demand across all sectors of the economy.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"We recognise that TAFEs play a vital part in growing our State's workforce, ensuring they are well-skilled for the jobs of tomorrow.
"That's why my government will continue to invest not only in TAFE programs and equipment but in the courses that are needed to ensure we have the workers to meet the demand across all sectors of the economy.
"Our Made in WA plan will continue to diversify and strengthen the economy, meaning there will be local jobs for these well-trained students when they graduate."
As stated by Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"The introduction of fee-free and low fee courses has been a game changer, helping thousands of Western Australians access vocational training so they participate, and excel, in the workforce.
"We are continuing to support the residential and commercial construction sectors, by growing the pipeline of skilled local workers, through our extension of fee-free TAFE.
"By adding more building and construction courses to the fee-free course list in 2026, we're giving more young Western Australians an opportunity to take up a trade and learn skills that will set them up for success in the workforce.
"And by keeping 2026 fees at 2025 levels, we're helping all Western Australians to access affordable, industry specific training."
