Free TAFE courses
Study Free TAFE and gain in-demand skills without paying course tuition fees
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Take the financial stress out of study with no tuition fees.
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Free TAFE eligibility
If you are eligible for Free TAFE, all your course tuition fees will be covered. You might need to pay for other costs related to your course like books, equipment or consumables.
Detailed eligibility criteria, entry requirements and other costs can be found on each course page under the Fees & Costs heading. Explore our Free TAFE courses.
Eligibility criteria
Free TAFE courses
Free TAFE is available for specific courses selected by the Victorian Government. Explore our Free TAFE courses.
Residential status
To enrol in a Free TAFE course you must live in Victoria and be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or New Zealand citizen.
Asylum seekers may be eligible for Free TAFE under the Asylum Seeker VET Program.
Previous qualification
You can do your first eligible Free TAFE course no matter what qualifications you already have. So even if you have a Bachelor of Arts, you can still study a Free TAFE Certificate or Diploma.
In a Free TAFE Priority Pathway you can complete more than one course without paying tuition fees for each course. Explore our Free TAFE pathways.
Unsure if you’re eligible?
Call us on 1300 635 276 to check your eligibility.
Study more than one Free TAFE course through Priority Pathways
Some Free TAFE courses are part of Priority Pathways, so you can study more than one course in the same study area and move from a Certificate to a Diploma without paying tuition fees for each course.
Free TAFE courses at Melbourne Polytechnic
Find a Free TAFE course by study area
Choose a study area to see courses here.
Accounting and Business
- Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping FNS40222
- Diploma of Accounting FNS50222
- Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety BSB41419
Study more with the Accounting pathway.
Agriculture
Study more with the Agriculture pathway.
Animal Studies
Auslan
Building and Construction
- Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing CPC31420
- Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) CPC40120
- Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) CPC50220
- Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying CPC60121
Study more with the Building and Construction pathway.
Construction Trades and Engineering Trades
- Certificate II in Building and Construction - Bricklaying Pre-apprenticeship 22614VIC
- Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship 22614VIC (Painting and Decorating)
- Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship 22614VIC (Carpentry and Joinery Shopfitting Stairbuilding)
- Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Pre-vocational) 22682VIC
Education and Childcare
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care CHC30121
- Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care CHC50121 Non-traineeship
- Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care CHC50121 Traineeship
- Certificate III in School Based Education Support CHC30221
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessment TAE40122
Study more with the Early Education pathway.
Health Services and Community Services
- Certificate III in Individual Support CHC33021 - Ageing and Disability
- Certificate IV in Disability Support CHC43121
- Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance HLT43021
- Certificate IV in Community Services CHC42021
- Certificate IV in Mental Health CHC43315
- Diploma of Community Services CHC52021
Study more with a Community Services pathway.
Horticulture
Hospitality, Bakery and Cookery
- Certificate III in Commercial Cookery SIT30821 Non-apprenticeship
- Certificate III in Hospitality SIT30622
- Certificate IV in Kitchen Management SIT40521
- Diploma of Hospitality Management SIT50422
Information Technology
Free TAFE Priority Pathways
Study more than one Free TAFE course through a Priority Pathway.
Free TAFE Priority Pathways are groups of Free TAFE courses in key study areas. They allow you to complete more than one qualification in that study area without paying tuition fees for each course.
How Priority Pathways work
A Priority Pathway helps you build your skills in the same study area, one course at a time.
For example, in the Agriculture Priority Pathway, you can start with the Certificate III in Agriculture (Free TAFE course), then progress to the Certificate IV in Agriculture (Free TAFE course). Free TAFE pays the tuition fees for all eligible courses in that pathway.
To progress through a Priority Pathway:
- Choose a course within a Priority Pathway.
- Complete that course.
- Move on to the next qualification in the same study area (if you meet the entry requirements).
- Free TAFE pays the tuition fees for each eligible course in the pathway.
Important to know
- You must finish one course before starting the next.
- Entry requirements apply for each course.
- Additional costs (such as amenities or materials fees) may still apply.
- Priority Pathways do not include apprenticeship pathway (pre‑apprenticeship) courses.
- Free TAFE courses not in a Priority Pathway remain limited to one Free TAFE course per student.
Browse Free TAFE Priority Pathways at Melbourne Polytechnic
When you complete the Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping FNS40222 Free TAFE course, you'll be able to access Free TAFE for the Diploma of Accounting FNS50222. You'll still need to meet the diploma entry requirements - check the course pages for more info.
When you complete an agriculture certificate, you'll still be able to access Free TAFE funding for the other courses in the Free TAFE pathway. You'll still need to meet the course entry requirements - check the course pages for more info.
When you complete a building certificate, you'll still be able to access Free TAFE funding for the other courses in the Free TAFE pathway, including diplomas. You'll still need to meet the course entry requirements - check the course pages for more info.
Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing CPC31420
Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) CPC40120
When you complete an eligible community services Free TAFE course, you'll be able to enrol in the Diploma of Community Services CHC52021. You'll still need to meet the diploma entry requirements - check the course pages for more info.
When you complete your Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care CHC30121, you'll still be able to access Free TAFE funding for the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care CHC50121. You'll still need to meet the course entry requirements - check the course pages for more info.
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care CHC30121
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care CHC50125 Non-traineeship
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care CHC50121 Traineeship
When you complete your Certificate III in Information Technology ICT30120, you'll still be able to access Free TAFE funding for the Certificate IV in Cyber Security 22603VIC. You'll still need to meet the course entry requirements - check the course pages for more info.
When you complete an eligible community services Free TAFE course, you'll be able to enrol in the Diploma of Community Services CHC52021. You'll still need to meet the diploma entry requirements - check the course pages for more info.
When you complete your Certificate III in Individual Support CHC33021, you'll still be able to access Free TAFE funding for the Certificate IV in Disability CHC43121 and other courses in the Nursing and Personal Care priority pathway. You'll still need to meet the course entry requirements - check the course pages for more info.
Certificate III in Individual Support CHC33021 - Ageing and Disability
Next steps
Explore our Free TAFE courses and select a course to view its entry requirements and other important details.
Once you’ve found the course that suits you, follow the steps under ‘Next Steps’ on the course page. During this process, we’ll confirm your eligibility for Free TAFE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check the FAQs for answers to your questions, or call us on 1300 635 276 to discuss your Free TAFE study options.
Free TAFE is a Victorian Government program that covers the tuition fees for selected courses in areas where skilled workers are needed. It includes a mix of non‑apprenticeship courses, traineeships and pre‑apprenticeship programs, making it easier for people to train, upskill or move into a new career.
Detailed eligibility criteria, entry requirements and other costs can be found on each course page under the Fees & Costs heading. Explore our Free TAFE courses.
Eligibility criteria
Residential status
To enrol in a Free TAFE course you must live in Victoria and be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or New Zealand citizen.
Asylum seekers may be eligible for Free TAFE under the Asylum Seeker VET Program.
Previous qualification
You can do your first eligible Free TAFE course no matter what qualifications you already have. So even if you have a Bachelor of Arts, you can still study a Free TAFE Certificate or Diploma.
In a Free TAFE Priority Pathway you can complete more than one course without paying tuition fees for each course. Explore our Free TAFE pathways.
Unsure if you’re eligible?
Call us on 1300 635 276 to check your eligibility.
You can study more than one Free TAFE course through a Priority Pathway
Free TAFE Priority Pathways are groups of Free TAFE courses in key study areas. They allow you to complete more than one qualification without paying tuition fees for each course.
Browse Free TAFE Priority Pathways
Free TAFE courses that are not part of a Priority Pathway are limited to one Free TAFE course per student.
If you’re eligible for Free TAFE, the Victorian Government will pay your tuition fees. You’ll only need to cover other costs like materials or student services fees.
Some Melbourne Polytechnic courses are government‑subsidised, which means the government covers most of the tuition fee and you pay the smaller remaining amount.
With Free TAFE, if you’re eligible, and the course is part of Free TAFE, the Victorian Government will pay your entire tuition fee. You’ll only need to cover other costs, such as materials or student services fees.
If you’re enrolled in high school, you won’t be able to access Free TAFE for Priority Courses (unless you’re doing a school-based traineeship.)
Apprenticeships are not covered under Free TAFE for Priority Courses.
To get started with a Free TAFE course, explore our Free TAFE courses and select a course to view its entry requirements and other important details.
Once you’ve found the course that suits you, follow the steps under ‘Next Steps’ on the course page. During this process, we’ll confirm your eligibility for Free TAFE.
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