Hon. Tjorn Sibma asks about the frameworks and decision-making processes for designating TAFE courses as fee-free or low-fee, to which the Minister for Skills and TAFE provides a response outlining the criteria and responsible parties.

AnsweredQoN 683Legislative Council
Asked
10 September 2025
Portfolio
Skills and TAFE

QuestionView source ↗

Job creation—Fee-free TAFE courses
683. Hon Tjorn Sibma to
the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Skills and TAFE:
I refer to the answer
to question without notice 476 on 26 June in which it was confirmed that 149
TAFE courses are fee free and 185 courses are low fee.
(1) What framework guides the decision to
designate a TAFE course as a fee-free course?
(2) What framework guides the decision to
designate a TAFE course as a low-fee course?
(3) Who makes these decisions and upon whose
advice?

AnswerView source ↗

On behalf of the
Leader of the House, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question. The following response has been provided by the Minister for Skills
and TAFE.
(1) Under the Fee-Free TAFE Skills Agreement with
the federal government, the state government designates fee-free courses in
priority areas, including the care sector; technology and digital; hospitality
and tourism; construction; agriculture; and sovereign capability, such as
manufacturing and defence.
(2) Low-fee courses are selected in response to
existing and emerging skills needs, the state's economic diversification
strategy and government priorities.
(3) It is the Minister for Skills and TAFE on
advice from the Department of Training and Workforce Development.

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