- More than $216 million allocated in 2026-27 State Budget for TAFE and training opportunities
- Includes more than $145 million to support and promote fee free and low fee TAFE courses
- Funding to support workplace and training initiatives to ensure skilled, diversified workforce
The Cook Labor Government is delivering more than $216 million in the 2026-27 State Budget for TAFE, training and employer incentives to ensure Western Australia has a skilled and diversified workforce.
Funding will include:
- $124 million to continue current fee settings into 2027, including fee free and lower-fee TAFE courses, with a focus on priority industries including building, construction, and clean energy;
- $3.8 million to extend the 'You Can Make It Here' campaign which highlights careers in key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, defence, early childhood education and care, aged care, and health;
- $19.6 million to support an additional 330 places in the Group Training Organisation Wage Subsidy Program, to encourage employers to hire apprentices and trainees in the building and construction sector; and
- $24.1 million to upgrade South Metropolitan TAFE's Munster campus, with upgrades to support an estimated 840 annual enrolments in training in wind and alternative energy, battery technology, electrification, automation, and robotics.
The Cook Labor Government has a strong focus on building a pipeline of skilled workers across priority sectors - including clean energy, building and construction, defence, and essential care services - to support economic diversification.
As stated by Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"Skills and TAFE training are critical to developing the skilled workforce we need to build homes, hospitals and to deliver AUKUS.
"Through this Budget we are continuing to invest in fee free and lower fee training opportunities in priority industries, enabling Western Australians to get the job-ready skills they need to take up quality jobs and benefit from our State's diversifying economy.
"This Budget also commits additional funding to deliver state-of-the-art renewable energy skills training infrastructure at South Metropolitan TAFE's Munster campus, ensuring that our workforce will be future-fit to make WA a renewable energy powerhouse."
