More free TAFE courses on offer in 2023

Western Metropolitan MP Cesar Melhem, Victoria University Diploma of Emergency Health Care students Ruby Avery and Samuel Matafonov, Training and Skills Minister Gayle Tierney, St Albans MP Natalie Suleyman and Victoria University acting vocational education deputy vice-chancellor Wayne Butson visited Victoria University's Sunshine campus to celebrate an extension of the state government's free TAFE program. (Supplied)

Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay TAFE students will soon have more access to free courses across emergency healthcare, mental health, family violence and agriculture next year, as part of four new priority free TAFE courses announced.

Training and Skills Minister Gayle Tierney visited the simulated ambulance lab at Victoria University’s Sunshine campus on Friday, September 16 to announce the Diploma of Emergency Health Care will be one of four new priority free TAFE courses and six new short courses the state government will deliver from next year.

Other new free courses will include a Certificate III in Production Horticulture, a Graduate Certificate in Client Assessment and Case Management and the Diploma of Interpreting (Auslan).

The state government is also making six short courses available for free from next year, including courses in mental health, agricultural chemical handling and electric and hybrid automotive maintenance.

Ms Tierney said the Diploma of Emergency Health Care will help deliver a high-quality workforce to the state’s health system.

“Free TAFE has helped more than 122,000 Victorians embark on a rewarding new career – we’re adding courses in in-demand industries to make sure students can get a great job straight out of their training,” she said.

Victoria University and Swinburne University are currently hosting the Diploma of Emergency Health Care, which provides students with the qualifications to work in non-emergency patient transport roles such as ambulance transport attendants, patient transport officers and ambulance community officers.

Details: freetafe.vic.gov.au