❓ Hon. Tjorn Sibma questions the decision-making process for fee-free and low-fee TAFE courses, including the State Training Board's role and subsidisation levels. The Minister's response outlines the framework and the Board's limited involvement.
AnsweredQoN 885Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
TAFE—Fee-free and low-fee courses885.Hon Tjorn Sibmato
the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Skills and TAFE:I refer to previous
answers concerning the government's decision to provide 149 fee-free TAFE
courses and 185 low-fee TAFE courses of a total of 699 publicly funded courses,
including skill sets and pathways.(1) What is the decision-making framework that
determines whether a course is offered fee free or low fee and how frequently
are these decisions made?(2) What is the role of the State Training Board in
informing the above decisions?(3) With respect to low-fee course offerings, how
is the level of course subsidisation determined?
the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Skills and TAFE:I refer to previous
answers concerning the government's decision to provide 149 fee-free TAFE
courses and 185 low-fee TAFE courses of a total of 699 publicly funded courses,
including skill sets and pathways.(1) What is the decision-making framework that
determines whether a course is offered fee free or low fee and how frequently
are these decisions made?(2) What is the role of the State Training Board in
informing the above decisions?(3) With respect to low-fee course offerings, how
is the level of course subsidisation determined?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 October 2025
Response time
0 days
Hon Stephen Dawson replied:(1)–(3) Under the Fee-Free TAFE Skills
Agreement with the federal government, states determine fee-free courses in
priority areas. Low-fee courses are selected in response to existing and
emerging skills needs, the state's economic diversification strategy and
government priorities. Lower Fees, Local Skills reduced course fees by 50% to
72% from 2017 pricepoints across four tranches between 2020 and 2022. The State
Training Board is the peak industry training advisory body. The board is not
directly involved in operational decisions regarding fee-free and low-fee
courses.
TAFE—Fee-free and low-fee courses
Agreement with the federal government, states determine fee-free courses in
priority areas. Low-fee courses are selected in response to existing and
emerging skills needs, the state's economic diversification strategy and
government priorities. Lower Fees, Local Skills reduced course fees by 50% to
72% from 2017 pricepoints across four tranches between 2020 and 2022. The State
Training Board is the peak industry training advisory body. The board is not
directly involved in operational decisions regarding fee-free and low-fee
courses.
TAFE—Fee-free and low-fee courses
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