- Support for up to 4,000 TAFE training places to make education, training accessible
- Successful incentives continue to attract job-ready building, construction workers
- TAFE boost with incentive to attract and retain regional TAFE lecturers
- Cook Government developing a skilled and productive workforce
The Cook Government is continuing its targeted investment to deliver jobs, housing and health benefits for Western Australians, with continued support for TAFE and programs to lure skilled workers to the State.
Investment through the Midyear Review will provide opportunities for Western Australians to develop skills in priority sectors and advance WA projects highlighted in the 'You Can Make It Here' campaign.
Continued support will be provided for an additional 4,000 publicly funded training places a year in 2025 and 2026 in TAFE and with private providers.
The additional places will include fee-free and low-fee courses in priority areas including building and construction, health, defence, and clean energy qualifications.
Fee-free TAFE in partnership with the Commonwealth Government, and the State Government's Lower Fees, Local Skills program, are boosting enrolments in priority areas such as electrical, carpentry, engineering, early childhood education and nursing.
Overall, TAFE Admissions applications are up seven per cent compared to the November 2024 intake, with over 22,950 applications lodged.
Year 12 students are driving this growth, with applications up by 19 per cent to over 3,330 applications.
An additional $3.1 million will extend the temporary regional incentive for eligible TAFE lecturers in the Pilbara, Kimberley and Kalgoorlie in 2026.
This initiative will help these regional TAFEs attract and retain staff, enabling them to continue delivering vital training that strengthens local communities and supports Western Australia's economy.
To further strengthen the skilled workforce in WA's building and construction industry, an additional $10 million will fund 1,000 new places across the Build a Life in WA (BALWA) and Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP). Each place will include a $10,000 incentive to help attract skilled workers to WA's construction industry.
The programs have helped more than 2,100 skilled workers join WA's building and construction workforce. More than 600 WA businesses have also benefited, accelerating housing and infrastructure delivery across the State.
To learn more about the more the fee-free and low-fee courses available, visit tafe.wa.edu.au .
Comments attributed to Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"Our record investment in TAFE ensures vocational education and training is affordable and accessible and can prepare students for jobs in our increasingly diverse economy.
"By investing in skills and training today, we are opening more opportunities for Western Australians to secure good jobs and building the workforce needed to deliver the housing, health care, and essential infrastructure our communities depend on.
"At the same time, we need job-ready skilled workers now. Our successful incentive programs targeting job-ready skilled workers will continue to deliver workers and benefits for Western Australia."
