Free TAFE Victoria 2026: which courses are free and who qualifies.
The full list of fee-free TAFE courses in Victoria for 2026, eligibility, and how to enrol.
What it is.
Free TAFE Victoria is the Victorian Government's program covering tuition fees for priority courses at TAFE and Learn Local providers. Victoria was the first state to launch Free TAFE in 2019 and the list has expanded each year. For 2026, relevant courses include Certificate IV in Disability (CHC43121), Certificate IV in Community Services (CHC42015), Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315), Certificate IV in Ageing Support (CHC43015), Certificate IV in Business (BSB40120), and Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121).
Source: vic.gov.au/free-tafe.
Who qualifies.
You are eligible if you are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or humanitarian visa holder, a Victorian resident, and do not already hold a qualification at the same or higher level (some exemptions apply for priority courses). There is no age limit. Concession holders and people receiving government benefits may qualify even if they hold a prior qualification.
How to apply.
Search for your course at skills.vic.gov.au or contact your preferred TAFE directly. Check the Free TAFE logo on the course listing. Apply through the TAFE's website. You will need your USI. Most courses accept rolling enrolment, but some have fixed intakes (especially nursing and community services courses with placements).
Limits and gotchas.
Free TAFE covers tuition only. Materials, equipment, and placement costs are extra. Victoria's list is broader than most states, but not every course at every campus is included. Some popular courses (disability, nursing) fill quickly. The Victorian Government reviews the list annually in the state budget (usually May). Verify the current list at vic.gov.au/free-tafe.
Where this fits in your plan.
Victoria has the broadest Free TAFE offering in Australia. If you are targeting NDIS coordination, aged care, health admin, or community services, check Victoria's list first. Browse the pathway families at /pathways to see which roles match, then take the free Career Change Check at /assessment.
Courses by career pathway in VIC.
The 5 pathways we track, with the courses each one needs in VIC.
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