- More than 5,000 TAFE placements across the North Coast at risk because of Albanese Labor government’s planned cuts.
- Canberra’s new Fee-Free funding proposal would leave Queensland $208 million worse off.
- Nearly half of Queensland’s Fee-Free placements have been undertaken by regional students.
- Local MP’s fight to safeguard Fee-Free TAFE opportunities
Thousands of regional Queenslanders have embraced Fee-Free TAFE opportunities, but proposed changes to Commonwealth funding arrangements threaten to put those opportunities at risk.
The North Coast region could be one of the hardest hit by Labor’s cuts, with 5,425 Fee-Free TAFE places undertaken in the region since the start of 2025.
The Crisafulli Government has warned that the Albanese Labor Government’s proposed funding changes would leave Queensland $208 million worse off, placing around 11,000 Fee-Free TAFE places across the State at risk.
Federal Member for Hinkler David Batt MP said Queensland students should not lose training opportunities because of a funding dispute between Canberra and the states.
“Australia needs more skilled workers, more apprentices and more people completing qualifications that lead to real jobs,” Mr Batt said.
“State governments need funding certainty so they can continue delivering training opportunities for students, apprentices and employers.
“Governments should be focused on outcomes: more completions, more qualified workers, more apprentices, and more people entering shortage occupations.
“That is what Queensland communities need, and that is what taxpayers deserve.”
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said protecting training opportunities was critical for communities across the Wide Bay.
“Fee-Free TAFE has opened doors for people across our region who are looking to gain new skills, change careers or secure an apprenticeship,” Mr Bennett said.
“Since the start of 2025 to date, almost 600 students have commenced a Fee-Free TAFE course across the Bundaberg and Burnett electorates.
“Regional Queensland relies on a strong pipeline of skilled workers and we cannot afford to see opportunities taken away from local students and employers.
“The Crisafulli Government is doing the heavy lifting because we know how important these courses are for our communities and our economy.
“People in Bundaberg and across the Burnett deserve certainty when it comes to education and training opportunities, not cuts that jeopardise their future.
“We should be expanding opportunities for regional Queenslanders, not putting them at risk.