Victorian Government announces $50m renewable energy TAFE centre in Gippsland

Victoria backs $459m Free TAFE expansion and launches new skills centres

The Victorian Government has announced a major expansion of its Free TAFE program as part of the 2026/27 State Budget, alongside a $459.4 million investment in skills and training aimed at strengthening the workforce and supporting future industries.

The Budget will fund additional Free TAFE places in 2027, expected to support around 15,000 extra students across the state. More than 60,800 students are currently enrolled in Free TAFE courses, marking the highest participation rate in over a decade.

Since its introduction, the program has supported more than 245,000 students and saved over $816 million in tuition fees, with average savings of more than $3,300 per student.

The Free TAFE Guarantee has now been legislated, ensuring Victorians can continue to access fee-free training in priority areas.

New Centres of Excellence

As part of the investment, the Government will establish three new TAFE Centres of Excellence in partnership with the Australian Government:

• A Victorian Renewable Energy TAFE Centre of Excellence, led by TAFE Gippsland in partnership with Holmesglen, South West TAFE, and Federation University
• A Home and Community Care Centre of Excellence, led by Holmesglen Institute
• A Digital, AI and Technology Centre of Excellence, led by Chisholm Institute

The Renewable Energy Centre will focus on training workers for emerging industries including smart grids, electrification, and clean energy systems.

The Budget also includes $10 million in TAFE campus upgrades, including new clean energy training equipment at Wodonga TAFE, as well as improvements to accessibility for students with disability. A further $5.4 million will support the VET Educator Academy to build pathways for new training professionals.

Government comments

Premier Jacinta Allan said Free TAFE was delivering major cost-of-living relief while supporting career development.

“Free TAFE is already saving Victorians thousands – it’s a huge boost for people building their future careers,” she said.

Skills and TAFE Minister Colin Brooks said the reforms were making training more accessible than ever.

“It is now easier and more affordable than ever for Victorians to pursue a long-term career,” he said.

The Government also criticised previous cuts to TAFE under the former Liberal Government, claiming they reduced funding, closed campuses, and reduced staffing.

The Budget positions TAFE reform as a central pillar of Victoria’s workforce development strategy, with a focus on clean energy, technology, and care sectors.