Campuses
Free TAFE can help cover the cost of tuition for selected courses. See if you meet the eligibility criteria below.
While Free TAFE covers tuition fees, there may be additional expenses, such as student services fees or materials fees. Call 13 TAFE (13 8233) or contact us via our online enquiry form if you are unsure.
Residential status: Any Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or New Zealand citizen can now enrol in a Free TAFE course or government-subsidised training regardless of their prior skills and qualifications.
Previous qualification: You can do your first Free TAFE course no matter what qualifications you already hold. This applies to all qualifications - whether they be through TAFE or university. This is because the 'upskilling rule' has been removed.
Multiple Free TAFE courses: You can do multiple Free TAFE courses in the same occupational pathway listed under 'Free TAFE priority pathways' below.
This is because the 'once-in-a-lifetime limit' for Free TAFE has now been removed for priority pathways.
Students whose only Free TAFE fee waiver was under JobTrainer can also do another Free TAFE course, either in a pathway or non-pathway program.
Please note, Free TAFE priority pathways do not include apprenticeship pathway courses.
Students can study a maximum of two Free TAFE courses at a time and no more than two courses in a year.
(In alphabetical order)
Full Time Standard Student - 1 year, Apprenticeship - 2 to 3 Years
,
Part Time Standard Student - 2 years
6 months
9 months
23 weeks
Full time, 6 months
This course has been designed to give you the skills to undertake the role of a contract bookkeeper within a large organisation. You will learn how to perform duties such as establishing and maintaining accounting systems, assisting with business or business activity statements, processing payroll and developing management systems for organisations.
Our course delivery features a combination of on-campus and remote (online) learning. This flexibility allows our students to continue to study in a safe, guided and supported manner.
6 months
The course provides training in accounting procedures to assist senior accountants or undertake duties requiring the services of a professional accountant. Students will gain broad-based skills and knowledge in accounting specialisations, including corporate financial accounting, financial management, cost and management accounting, accounting systems and internal controls, and taxation.
Our course delivery features a combination of on-campus and remote (online) learning. This flexibility allows our students to continue to study in a safe, guided and supported manner.
6 months
6 months
9 months
,9 months
Full Time Standard Student - 1 year, Apprenticeship - 2 to 3 Years
,
Part Time Standard Student - 2 years
If you’ve got a passion for cooking, this course will get you industry ready with the skills, knowledge and experience you need to start working in a commercial kitchen environment. From practical food production, hygiene and menu costing to OH&S practices and basic nutrition our expert teachers will help you transition from the classroom into real jobs with confidence and flair. You’ll also gain real skills and an industry edge training in our on-campus and fully licensed Richards Restaurant.
Our course delivery features a combination of on-campus and remote (online) learning. This flexibility allows our students to continue to study in a safe, guided and supported manner.
Major Study Areas
* Leadership
* Cookery skills
* Restaurant operations
* Stock control
* OHS
* Menu planning and costing
1 year
6 weeks
10 weeks
15 weeks
,6 months
1 year
13 weeks
12 weeks
1 year
1 year (Full Time)
,2 years (Part Time)
1 year (Full Time)
,2 years (Part Time)
6 months
9 months - On campus delivery
12 months
,Flexible
10 weeks
9 months
10 weeks
1 year
12 weeks
13 weeks
18 months
,18 months
6 months
6 months
15 weeks
,6 months
14 months
,14 months
1 year (Full Time)
,2 years (Part Time)
1 year (Full Time)
,2 years (Part Time)
23 weeks
6 weeks
9 months - On campus delivery
1 year
Full time, 6 months
8 months
9 months
,9 months
12 months
,Flexible
8 months
1 year
18 months
,18 months
10 weeks
Our Diploma of Community Services (CHC52015) is designed to provide you with knowledge and skills in community development, casework and group work. This community services course prepares you to work as a social welfare worker, and provides you with an understanding of human rights, cultural inclusion, Indigenous culture, issues and strategies for effective service delivery.
Our Diploma of Community Services is also ACWA (Australian Community Workers Association) Accredited.
This qualification reflects the roles of community services, case management and social housing workers involved in the managing, co-ordinating and/or delivering of person-centred services to individuals, groups and communities. At this level, workers have specialised skills in community services and work autonomously under broad directions from senior management. Workers are usually providing direct support to individuals or groups of individuals. Workers may also have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers and/or case management; program coordination or the development of new business opportunities.
Special note: Prior to undertaking clinical work placement all students must obtain an International Police Check, Victorian Police Check and Working with Children Clearance (WWCC). Students will be responsible for the costs associated with requirements. If placements are taken outside of metropolitan Melbourne any accommodation costs that may be incurred will be the responsibility of the student.
Our course delivery features a combination of on-campus and remote (online) learning. This flexibility allows our students to continue to study in a safe, guided and supported manner.
To enroll with Kangan Institute, you are no longer mandated to have evidence of your COVID 19 Vaccination. It is important to note that as a part of your studies, you will be required to complete a placement component. While no longer mandated, individual Placement hosts will be guided by their individual policies and procedures in relation to vaccination requirements for staff and students. Students who are attending a community services organisation for placement purposes will need to comply with the policies and procedures of their host service.
This course requires face to face classroom study and compulsory work placement (arranged by Kangan Institute) of 400 hours
Major study areas
1.5 years
1 year
18 months
,18 months
14 months
,14 months
6 weeks
18 months
,18 months
14 months
,14 months
Incorporating 5 clinical work placements, this hands-on qualification provides you with the skills and knowledge required to be eligible for registration with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) to work as an Enrolled Nurse in Australia.
This course includes a minimum of 400 hours of mandatory clinical placement.
Special note: Prior to undertaking clinical placements all students must obtain a National Police Check, a Working With Children Check (WWCC) and prescribed immunisations. A list of required immunisations will be supplied by the Institute.
It is now a requirement that students who have been a citizen or permanent resident of any country other than Australia or reside in any other single country other than Australia for 12 months or more are required to provide the following:
- Nation-wide check of criminal history produced by the relevant national authority (certified English translation); or international criminal history check issued by an AHPRA approved supplier.
Students will be responsible for the costs associated with these requirements.
If placements are undertaken outside of metropolitan Melbourne any accommodation and travel costs that may be incurred will be the responsibility of the student.
It is advisable to bring your medical and immunisation records with you for offshore applicants. Test results will be accepted if they were obtained within the two (2) years before the date you apply for enrolment.
In a typical week, Diploma of Nursing students will usually attend classes three days per week with approximately 60 percent theory and 40 percent coursework practical placement. Classes will be scheduled between 9:00am and 4:00pm Monday to Friday.
Coursework practical placement is usually shift work, Monday to Friday, typically between the hours of 7am to 3:30pm and 1pm to 9:30pm, but may vary between health providers.
The teaching methods used include lectures, class discussions, flexible delivery, group work and coursework practical placement. The assessment methods include tests, assignments, class presentations, posters, reports, skills assessment, work sheets and coursework practical placement.
Our course delivery features a combination of on-campus and remote (online) learning. This flexibility allows our students to continue to study in a safe, guided and supported manner.
This course requires face to face classroom study and compulsory work placement (arranged by Kangan Institute) of 400 hours
Major study areas
* Occupational health and safety
* Infection prevention
* Cultural diversity
* Indigenous health
* Law and ethics
* Client assessment
* Wound management
* Medications
* Professional nursing
* Communications skills
* Critical thinking
* Mental health
* Chronic health
* Older clients
* Australian healthcare system
* First aid
* Acute and complex nursing care
* Develop work priorities
* Primary health care
* Palliative care
2 years 3 months
Accounting |
Allied Health and Nursing |
Building and ConstructionCertificate III in Construction Waterproofing |
Community Services |
Dental |
Education SupportCertificate III in School Based Education Support Early Childhood (existing pathway) |
Information Technology |
Nursing and Personal CareCertificate III in Individual Support |
(View some example cases of students who qualify for Free TAFE Priority Pathways)
Scenario 1
John finished Year 12 last year and has found a job at a vet clinic. He enjoys working with animals and wants to pursue a career in Vet Nursing. He does his research finds the most suitable course for him would be Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, a Free TAFE course.
Is John eligible to undertake this course?
Yes, he is eligible to undertake this course if he meets all the pre-enrolment requirements for the course. As this is a Free TAFE, John will not have to pay any tuition fees, but he will be required to pay other fees such as materials and consumables.
Scenario 2
Rita has completed a bachelor’s degree in arts and wants a career change. She is interested in studying Information Technology and chooses to study Certificate III in Information Technology, which has a pathway into Certificate IV in Cyber Security. Both these courses are on the Free TAFE list.
Is Rita eligible to undertake these courses?
Yes, she can undertake these courses provided that she enrols in the Certificate III in Information Technology first and completes the course and gets her certificate. She can then enrol in the Certificate IV in Cyber Security. Both are Free TAFE courses, therefore she does not pay tuition fees for both the courses but may be required to pay materials and consumables. Rita needs to ensure that she does not commence more than 2 government subsidised courses in the calendar year.
Scenario 3
Sarah is 48 and has 2 Diplomas, 1 Certificate IV and 2 Certificate III qualifications which she has obtained through her work and studies. In 2023, she found out about Free TAFE and Pathway Programs. She is interested in becoming a Community Worker. She would like to study Certificate IV in Community Services knowing there are multiple pathways that she can pursue when she finishes the Certificate IV in Community Services.
Is Sarah eligible to get Free TAFE and enrol in the pathway courses?
Yes, she is eligible to enrol in a Free TAFE course and move into the Pathways courses once she completes her Certificate IV provided she does not commence more than 2 government subsidised courses in 2023.
Scenario 1
Terry enrolled in Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping in 2022 which was a Free TAFE course. In 2023 he wants to upskill and do another Free TAFE.
Is Terry eligible for a second Free TAFE?
As Terry has used his entitlement to a Free TAFE in 2022, he is not eligible to receive another Free TAFE but if he enrols in an Accounting Pathway course such as a Diploma of Accounting, he can be eligible for a Free TAFE.
Scenario 2
Ali has accessed Free TAFE to complete a Certificate III in Hospitality in 2021. He has also completed a Certificate III in Concreting through fee-for-service training in 2022.
Is Ali eligible to receive another Free TAFE?
Ali has used up his entitlement to a Free TAFE in 2021. But as his second qualification is a concreting qualification which is part of the Building and Construction Pathway, he can choose to study subsequent courses in this Pathway, such as the Certificate IV in Building and Construction and Diploma of Building and Construction, provided his completes the Certificate IV level before he enrols for the Diploma level.
Free TAFE is a Victorian Government program that will pay your tuition fees to study in selected courses at TAFE for eligible students.
While Free TAFE covers tuition fees, there may be additional expenses, such as student services fees or materials fees. Call 13 TAFE (13 8233) or contact us via our online enquiry form if you are unsure.
Residential status: Any Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or New Zealand citizen can now enrol in a Free TAFE course or government-subsidised training regardless of their prior skills and qualifications.
Previous qualification: You can do your first Free TAFE course no matter what qualifications you already hold. This applies to all qualifications - whether they be through TAFE or university. This is because the 'upskilling rule' has been removed.
Multiple Free TAFE courses: You can do multiple Free TAFE courses in the same occupational pathway listed under 'Free TAFE priority pathways' below.
This is because the 'once-in-a-lifetime limit' for Free TAFE has now been removed for priority pathways.
Students whose only Free TAFE fee waiver was under JobTrainer can also do another Free TAFE course, either in a pathway or non-pathway program.
Please note, Free TAFE priority pathways do not include apprenticeship pathway courses.
Students can study a maximum of two Free TAFE courses at a time and no more than two courses in a year.
Free TAFE courses are periodically revised to include courses from growth industries, such as Early Childhood Education, Health, Construction and Infrastructure, Agriculture, and Community and Disability Services.
See the Free TAFE course list above for the updated courses offered at our TAFE.
You can do tuition free priority courses at Victorian TAFE institutes, including universities that offer TAFE courses.
To find a course near you, contact the Training and TAFE line on 131 823.
Students can only access one Free TAFE course in their lifetime, except in the following circumstances.
Contact the Training and TAFE line on 131 823 or visit www.TAFE.vic.gov.au.