Fee-Free TAFE
Students interested in studying a TAFE course with CQUniversity may also be eligible for other TAFE Subsidised Training schemes or other payment options.
Eligibility
Fee-Free TAFE, funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments covers the cost of tuition for eligible applicants. You will still be required to cover related costs such as uniforms and resources for your course.
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
- You are not eligible for Fee-Free TAFE if you have previously enrolled in the same course at CQU you are now applying for.
- Fee-Free TAFE places are only available for new course enrolments from the 1st of January 2026.
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.
Fee-Free TAFE Courses
Places are limited for Fee-Free TAFE enrolments.
Accounting and Business
- BSB30120 - Certificate III in Business
- FNS30322 - Certificate III in Accounts Administration
- BSB40320 - Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business - Students must be the owner, manager or employee of a small business in Queensland.
Community Services
- CHC32015 - Certificate III in Community Services
- CHC33021 – Certificate III in Individual Support
- CHC43315 – Certificate IV in Mental Health
- CHC40321 - Certificate IV in Child Youth and Family Intervention
- CHC40421 - Certificate IV in Youth Work
Education
- CHC30121 - Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- CHC30221 - Certificate III in School Based Education Support
- TAE40122 - Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
- CHC40221 - Certificate IV in School Based Education Support
- CHC50121 - Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Health
- HLT35021 - Certificate III in Dental Assisting
- HLT30121 - Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care - Students must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
- HLT40221 - Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice - Students must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Horticulture
Information Technology
Science
Visual Arts
More about Fee-Free TAFE
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 Trade, Employment and Training. To learn about Queensland Government funded programs, visit the Department of Trade, Employment and Training.
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.
More TAFE subsidies
TAFE Subsidised Training
Reduce the fees you pay with government subsidised training, from free to low-fee TAFE course options.
Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s
Find out more about the free TAFE study opportunities available for those under 25.
Free Construction Apprenticeships for Over 25s
Find out more about TAFE study opportunities for over 25s.
