For eligible students, ‘Fee-Free’ means that some or all of your course costs^ will be covered by the Australian and Queensland Governments. Because they’re footing the bill, you only have to pay what’s left, which could be nothing at all. Although you’re paying less, the total cost of the course is the same, and you still receive high-quality training from industry experienced and award-winning teachers.

^ Other resources may be required to complete your course that are not covered by the Fee-Free TAFE funding. View the 'Resources required' section on each course page for more information.

To be eligible for Fee-Free TAFE funding, you must be:

• an Australian or New Zealand Citizen or Australian permanent resident visa holder
• a Queensland resident
• no longer at school
• not currently enrolled in a qualification.

In addition to the standard eligibility requirements, there may be restrictions and/or exemptions on participating in some qualifications. Additional eligibility requirements will be based on industry advice or requirements under the relevant national training package. 

Certificate IV in Community Services (CHC42021)

Students of the Certificate IV in Community Services (CHC42021) also need to be an existing worker in the Community Services Industry and Health Industry, (which includes parents and unpaid carers of NDIS participants.) Evidence must be supplied prior to enrolment.

Community Services and Health Skill Sets

Students for the following skill sets must be an Existing Worker in the Community Services and Health industry, which includes parents and unpaid carers of NDIS participants.

• CHCSS00070 Assist Clients with Medication Skill Set^

Students for the following skill sets must be a New Worker in the Disability sector industry, which includes parents and unpaid carers of NDIS participants.

• CHCSS00133 Induction to Disability skill set

Students for the following skill sets must be New or Existing Worker in the Community Services and Health industry, in a role involving provision of direct client care or support.

• CHCSS00129 Individual Support - Ageing skill set*
• CHCSS00130 Individual Support - Disability Skill Set*

*Students must also already hold a Certificate III in Individual Support (or equivalent).

^Additional entry requirements/selection criteria are published on each individual course page under ‘Important information’. 

There are a range of TAFE Queensland courses that are eligible for funding that could help reduce the cost of your course. If you don’t meet the eligibility criteria for Fee-Free TAFE, you may be eligible for one of these. 

View more subsidised training options

Currently eligible students are only able to complete one (1)* Fee-Free TAFE funded qualification. If you do not complete the course, or undertake a skill set, you can still complete a full qualification using this funding.

*Excluding Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121) and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50121), where eligible students can complete both qualifications using Fee-Free TAFE funding. 

Please note, additional eligibility applies to the Fee-Free Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) and is available to eligible students who commence their studies in 2024 and 2025.

If you’re eligible for Fee-Free TAFE funding, you will still need to meet all other course entry requirements to enrol.

The government has allocated TAFE Queensland with a limited number of Fee-Free TAFE places for students to access for 2025. Due to the popularity of Fee-Free TAFE Funding, these places have all been allocated for 2025. That means, there is no more Fee-Free TAFE funding available for this year (except for selected courses, see below).  

Limited places are still available for eligible students looking to seize their opportunity in 2025 to become an Enrolled Nurse thanks to Fee-Free Nursing funding.  
 
There are also Fee-Free TAFE places still available for eligible students who commence a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121) in 2025.