More than 1,400 students have enrolled in a free Diploma of Nursing course in Queensland this year, with more than 200 beginning their studies at TAFE Queensland’s South Bank campus.
Premier Steven Miles and Skills Minister Lance McCallum welcomed the first cohort of 2024, the largest intake of nursing students at TAFE statewide.
The Diploma of Nursing at TAFE provides students with a pathway into the healthcare sector, offering hands-on training in simulated hospital environments equipped with advanced technology.
The program is fully funded by the state government as part of an $87.5 million investment to support 3,500 training places.
It is in addition to the Fee-Free TAFE program, a joint state and federal initiative that covers tuition costs for Queenslanders looking to train or upskill in key industries.
For 2024, 74 courses have been identified as priority areas, including aged care, disability support, child care, tourism, agriculture and cyber security.
Fee-Free TAFE is targeted at priority groups including young people aged 17 to 24, First Nations people, the unemployed, unpaid carers, women facing economic insecurity, women studying in non-traditional fields and people with a disability.
Industry priorities under the program are guided by advice from Industry Skills Advisors, peak bodies and Jobs Queensland’s future skills projections.
A full list of Fee-Free TAFE courses is available at https://desbt.qld.gov.au/fee-free-tafe