Cassandra Fernando (Holt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today is National TAFE Day. As a TAFE graduate, I am proud today to celebrate the achievements of TAFE students, teachers, trainers and support staff and the contributions they make to our communities and the country. We are facing one of the largest skill shortages in decades, and our nation's TAFE sector is one of the greatest assets we have if want to deal with this challenge.

At the heart of this endeavour is the Albanese Labor government's landmark fee-free TAFE initiative, which helps students seeking opportunities to meet cost-of-living challenges and support key industries to address their skill shortages. And the numbers speak for themselves. In the first six months, the target for 180,000 enrolments was well exceeded, with almost 215,000 Australians enrolling in fee-free TAFE courses. Women make up over 60 per cent of these enrolments, and over 34 per cent of enrolments are in inner and outer regional locations.

I am proud that we're not stopping here. Starting in January next year, the government will make funding available for a further 300,000 fee-free TAFE places. Happy TAFE Day, Australia.