Get the skills you need for jobs that are in demand.
Charles Darwin University, the Territory’s largest training provider, is offering a limited number of Free TAFE (Vocational Education and Training) places to tackle skill shortages across the Northern Territory, and to help give more Territorians the chance to study and receive qualifications.
This includes courses in agriculture, education, community services (housing, mental health, ageing support, alcohol and other drugs), construction, creative industries (music, design, visual arts), hospitality and tourism.
Explore courses
Find your course below and apply between 1 January and 31 March 2023 to have your tuition fees waived for courses completed before June 2024.
Arts
Building and Construction
Business and Retail Services
Culinary Arts
Education and Training
- CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- CHC30221 Certificate III in School Based Education Support
- CHC40221 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support
- CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
- TAESS00009 Address Foundation Skills in Vocational Practice Skill Set
- TAESS00011 Assessor Skill Set
Environmental Studies
Health and Community Services
Primary Industries
- AHCSS00074 Agricultural Chemical Skill Set
- VTP307 Aquaponics
- MAR10418 Certificate I In Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 2 Near Coastal)
- SFI20119 Certificate II in Aquaculture
- AHC20416 Certificate II in Horticulture
- MAR20321 Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal)
- AHC21216 Certificate II in Rural Operations
- SFI30119 Certificate III in Aquaculture
- AHC30716 Certificate III in Horticulture
- AHC32816 Certificate III in Rural Operations
Tourism and Hospitality
Why choose CDU?
Our strong connections with industry, state-of-the-art facilities and world-class trainers mean you’ll graduate ready to work. Our class sizes are small, and the training is hands-on. You’ll get the support you need from trainers and get to know your classmates.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible for a free place, you will need to:
- Apply before 31 March 2023
- Start the course in 2023
- Complete by 30 June 2024.
At the time the course commences, you must:
- Live or work in the Northern Territory
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent Australian resident or a New Zealand citizen who has resided in Australia for a minimum of six months and is a NT resident, or
- Be an Australian visa holder who:
- does not have work or study restrictions
- has a valid visa for the duration of the training, allowing for the total volume of learning required to achieve the qualification, including supervised and unsupervised training and study
- is not the primary provisional visa holder of a skilled, business innovation and investment, student, work or holiday visa identified on the Department of Home Affairs website
- Be at least 15 years of age, and where relevant be identified as disengaged from school and have the skills and capabilities to undertake training and to actively engage in employment.
Students attending secondary school are not eligible to apply (for further information please refer to Age your child attends school | NT.GOV.AU).
Priority students
The Commonwealth and Territory governments recognise that some people are under-represented in our workforces, and so people from the following groups are strongly encouraged to apply:
- First Nations Australians
- People out of work or receiving income support
- Young people (17-24)
- Unpaid carers
- Women facing economic insecurity
- Women undertaking study in non-traditional fields
- People with a disability
FAQs
What are ‘Fee-Free TAFE courses’?
Fee-Free TAFE and vocational education is a joint initiative of the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments providing tuition-free training places to students wanting to train, retrain or upskill.
How do I apply for a Fee-Free CDU TAFE course?
Find your course, check the fees information to ensure it is fee-free, and apply between 1 January and 31 March 2023 to have your tuition fees waived for courses completed before June 2024.
What are the terms and conditions?
This is a joint initiative of the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments.
The number of Fee-Free TAFE places that are funded is limited by the terms of the skills agreement signed by the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments. Course offers are made based upon the date of application, and all other course admission requirements being met.
Depending on the training and resources that are required to deliver a course effectively, class sizes may be limited. Fee-Free places are subject to availability at each intake and location, and may be subject to capacity constraints. The funding ends on 30 June 2024. Fee Free places do not apply to traineeships or apprenticeships.
Want more information?
If you have any questions, or need help working out which course is right for you, our Student Central team can help you reach your career goals.
E: study@cdu.edu.au
T: 1800 061 963
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