StudyCourse Fees TAFE Subsidised Training

Fee-Free TAFE

TAFE student sitting at a desk with a laptop studying
Now is the time to power your future with Fee-Free TAFE at CQUniversity. Gain the skills you need for the job you want with a range of certificates and diplomas available Fee-Free to eligible Queenslanders.

Take advantage of the Australian and Queensland Government's funding that cover the cost of tuition in a range of high-priority qualifications. You will still be required to cover related costs such as uniforms and resources for your course. Fee-Free TAFE is available through CQUniversity as an official TAFE provider.

Fee-Free TAFE courses at CQU

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Get ready to power your future with fee-free TAFE at CQU.

The TAFE that's powered by a uni.

Take advantage of fee-free training on a wide range of certificates and diplomas.

Make it your time with TAFE at CQU.

Apply now.

Find a FEE-FREE TAFE course

Make it your time with a FEE-FREE TAFE certificate or diploma. Check your eligibility, find your course and choose the TAFE that's powered by a Uni to upskill, retrain or get started today.

FEE-FREE TAFE is designed to help fill the skills gap by enabling Queenslanders to seek new or enhance existing skills in a range of high-priority job areas. Provided you meet the eligibility criteria you can take advantage of fee-free funding regardless of your current employment status or the number of qualifications you have previously completed.

To be eligible, you must:

  • permanently and currently live in Queensland for the duration of training;
  • be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident (includes humanitarian entrant), temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency, or a New Zealand citizen
  • aged 15 years and over and not be at school
  • not currently be admitted or enrolled in training (not including foundation skills training).
  • not have previously completed a Fee-Free TAFE funded qualification. Students are only eligible for one Fee Free TAFE qualification funded from 2023 to 2026*
  • Some courses may require the student to be an existing worker in the related industry or hold a prerequisite qualification.
  • CQUniversity employees are not eligible for HLT54121 – Diploma of Nursing 

Applicants will be required to provide documentation to support their eligibility for subsidy. For more information regarding eligibility documentation visit Apply for TAFE Certificate and Diploma.

Individuals who hold a visa must also ensure their visa subclass is eligible for subsidised training.

*with the exception of a student who has completed the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121) qualification through Fee-Free TAFE who may enrol in the Diploma of Early Childhood Educations and Care (CHC50121) under Fee-Free TAFE.

*Student must be the owner, manager or employee of a small business in Queensland.

Students who complete the CHC30121 - Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care are eligible to complete the CHC50121 - Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care using Fee-Free TAFE funding.

*Student must be an Existing Worker in the Community Services and Health industry, which includes parents and unpaid carers of NDIS participants.

*Student must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

More about Fee-Free TAFE

Fee-Free TAFE will be available to eligible Queenslanders at CQUniversity TAFE. This exclusive funding is due to the Australian and Queensland Governments taking action to deliver Fee-Free TAFE and vocational education places for Queenslanders.

This funding is applicable to unit enrolments. Any gap in your studies may result in you losing access to this funding. This funding is limited and subject to change. Please carefully consider your training options before committing to a training course as this may exhaust your entitlement to further Queensland Government subsidised training. CQUniversity is an approved Skills Assure supplier with the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training. To learn about Queensland Government funded programs, visit the DESBT website.

Students from the following priority groups are strongly encouraged to apply:

  • First Nations Australians
  • young people aged 17-24
  • people out of work or receiving income support
  • unpaid carers
  • women facing economic insecurity
  • women undertaking study in non-traditional fields
  • people with disability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Students are only eligible to complete one Fee-Free TAFE funded qualification from 2023 to 2026. If you do not complete the course or undertake a skill set, you can still complete a full qualification using this funding. 

Students who complete the CHC30121 - Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care are eligible to complete the CHC50121 - Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care using Fee-Free TAFE funding.

Participants may be currently employed. Eligibility criteria will apply.

If you don't meet the eligibility requirements for Fee-Free TAFE, you might still qualify for other funding options.

For courses such as BSB40320 - Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business, students must be an owner, manager or employee of a small business in Queensland to be eligible for funding or subsidies. Students will need to provide the following as evidence of their eligibility when submitting their application:

  • Employed by Small Business (manager or employee) - Letter of Employment on company letterhead, with official signature block, to confirm the employee is an existing worker, further this letter must outline; employment status, length of current employment, and confirmation the applicant is currently actively fulfilling work duties for this period; OR
  • For Self-Employed (owner) - Evidence of ABN (screenshot), a recent customer invoice and a copy of a client list. If a student is unable to provide a copy of invoicing and client list, students can do a statutory declaration advising that they have sighted a client list and or invoices to confirm eligibility.

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