- The Albanese and Crisafulli Governments have awarded more than $2.5 million in research grants through Queensland's TAFE Centres of Excellence.
- The grants will fund projects to deliver innovative vocational education and training (VET) for the aged care and battery industries.
- In total, 12 grants have been awarded to a mix of VET providers, universities, industry groups, and not-for-profit organisations.
- Part of the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments' plans to address the skills shortage and secure a pipeline of skilled workers.
TAFE Centres of Excellence have awarded more than $2.58 million in applied research grants to support innovative training solutions for nationally critical industries, including in health and aged care.
Both TAFE Centres of Excellence – Health Care and Support and Clean Energy Batteries – are jointly funded initiatives of the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments, designed to address skills shortages and secure a pipeline of skilled workers.
The Centres were the first of their kind in Australia to offer competitive applied research grants, with a round focusing on aged care and another on sustainable battery initiatives.
Federal Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles said the grants marked a significant milestone in strengthening the capability and capacity of the VET system.
"These grants show our nationally-networked TAFE Centres of Excellence in action – backing projects that will help address skills shortages, build the skills of the aged care and clean energy industries, and promote new approaches to workforce challenges," Minister Giles said.
"Ageing Australia has been awarded $400,000 to pilot community learning hubs in regional Queensland to improve aged care training opportunities, while Central Queensland University will receive more than $170,000 to develop workforce safety and recycling training for the battery energy storage system.
"The Albanese Government is proud to be working with state and territory governments to roll out TAFE Centres of Excellence around the country – not only delivering benefits to the communities where they are based, but also for students, apprentices and teachers across Australia."
Queensland Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the grants would have a lasting impact across Queensland.
"The funding will help our TAFE Centres of Excellence develop innovative, evidence-based training solutions to meet the evolving training and workforce needs, particularly of the aged care sector," Minister Bates said.
"By 2028-29, we expect one in six new Queensland jobs will be in health care and social assistance, highlighting just how important it is to rebuild Queensland's health workforce and reduce pressure on our hospitals.
"The Applied Research Grants are another way we are delivering on our commitment to secure a pipeline of skilled workers, to address the skills shortage, and to build a better lifestyle through a stronger economy."
A total of 36 applications were received from across Australia, with 12 grants awarded funding. TAFE Centres of Excellence in other disciplines are funded and administered by other jurisdictions and are open to Queensland-based applicants.
The TAFE Centres of Excellence at TAFE Queensland will offer further grant funding in the coming years, with round two opening in January 2026.
To learn more about the Centres and the applied research grants visit: tafeqld.edu.au/tce
