The proposal would increase Australian Government funding for vocational education and training in the following ways.

• The proposal would provide free Technical and Further Education (TAFE) (no-fee places) for Australians, giving priority to areas of skills shortage and future labour market demand, to be determined in consultation with the states and territories.
  • The annual number of free TAFE places is based on 105,365 commencements. This reflects National Centre for Vocational Education and Research (NCVER) data on commencements in areas of strong future labour market demand.
  • These places are currently subsidised by the Australian Government and state and territory governments, but attract student fees, which would be removed by this proposal.
• The proposal would also provide funding for additional free TAFE places across all TAFE courses under a joint funding arrangement with the states and territories, with the Australian Government contributing 54% of required funding for the additional places.
  • The number of places would be according to the following schedule:

- Indicates nil.

The proposal would commence on 1 January 2023, with funding ceasing on 31 December 2026.