The Albanese and Allan Labor Governments are investing $50.6 million to create two TAFE Centres of Excellence in Melbourne to drive national improvements in digital literacy across critical industries - with benefits for TAFE students and teachers right across the country.
Under the investment, a Digital, AI and Technology Centre of Excellence will be established at the Chisholm Institute's Frankston campus, and a Home and Community Care Centre of Excellence will be established at Holmesglen Institute's Moorabbin campus.
These TAFE Centres of Excellence will strengthen Australia's future workforce by supporting innovation across two critical industries through advanced training and helping to ensure the nation remains competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.
Each centre will focus on uplifting national standards in digital literacy and skills by expanding partnerships with industry and creating opportunities, particularly for healthcare workers delivering care at home or in the community.
The $30 million Digital, AI and Technology Centre of Excellence will train students in cutting-edge TAFE simulation labs, immersed in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and other emerging fields - while partnering with tech companies to deliver practical on-the-job training.
The centre will strengthen Australia's digital training pipeline, offer faster pathways for upskilling and reskilling, and embed curriculum aligned with national digital frameworks. Applied research and evaluation will be a core part of the centre's work, helping to promote best practice in digital education and training.
The $20.6 million Home and Community Care Centre of Excellence will help meet the growing demand for home‑based care. One of the centre's features will be a smart house fitted with adaptive technology, which will help healthcare workers to automate and modernise care delivery. The smart house will give students hands‑on experience with remote care technologies, automation, and modern work practices.
This announcement brings to 16 the total number of TAFE Centres of Excellence announced across Australia. Up to 20 centres will be established nationwide, in every state and territory, under the Albanese Government's $325 million commitment as part of the National Skills Agreement.
