RECOGNISING TAFE TEACHERS ON NATIONAL TAFE DAY

Today is National TAFE Day, a day to celebrate the incredible impact of Australia’s strong, trusted public TAFE system and the extraordinary teachers who make it possible.

Fee-Free TAFE has opened the door to education for hundreds of thousands of Australians, helping people gain qualifications, change careers, enter the workforce and build the skills Australia urgently needs.

New national figures show there have been more than 850,000 Fee-Free TAFE enrolments since the program began in January 2023.

AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe said the figures demonstrate the enormous value of investing in a strong, accessible public TAFE system.

“National TAFE Day is an opportunity to celebrate what happens when we invest in public education and make it accessible to everyone. Most importantly, National TAFE Day is a chance to acknowledge and thank our TAFE teachers,” Ms Haythorpe said.

“Behind every enrolment, every qualification and every graduate is a highly skilled TAFE teacher who makes that learning possible.”

“TAFE teachers are highly qualified professionals who bring industry expertise, teaching skills and a commitment to their students into classrooms, workshops and training environments every day. They are supporting students from all walks of life, delivering high-quality education, and preparing Australians for the jobs and industries our country needs.”

The latest Fee-Free TAFE data shows strong participation across the country, in areas of need:

• Care has recorded more than 236,000 enrolments
• Construction has recorded more than 78,000 enrolments
• Technology and Digital has recorded more than 75,000 enrolments
• Early Childhood Education and Care has recorded more than 68,000 enrolments.

Fee-Free TAFE is also providing opportunities for people who have historically faced barriers to education and training including:

• 209,000 job seekers and income support recipients;
• 76,000 people with disability; and
• 53,000 First Nations Australians enrolled in Fee-Free TAFE.

Ms Haythorpe said Australia must now ensure the TAFE workforce has the support it needs to continue delivering these outcomes.

“We know the social and economic returns of a strong, public TAFE system are immense. Properly funded vocational education doesn’t just train workers, it transforms lives, strengthens communities, and builds industries,” Ms Haythorpe said.

“If we want Fee-Free TAFE to continue transforming lives and meeting Australia’s skills needs, we need to invest in the people delivering it. We need to reduce the load of administrative duties, treat staff with respect, and provide fair and competitive pay so our TAFE teachers can deliver the courses our country needs.”

“On National TAFE Day, we thank every TAFE teacher and support staff member for the work they do, and maintain our commitment to a strong, accessible and properly funded public TAFE system.”

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kylie Jensen – 0402 298 728