The WA State Government has announced a $35.5 million initiative which will cut fees by 50 percent for 34 selected VET course fees including aged and disability care, civil construction and defence, hospitality and tourism. The fee reductions will take effect from January 1 2020, and make training more affordable for thousands of students, after 2017’s fee freeze.

The “Lower Fees, Local Skills” policy will stimulate training in specific growth areas to support the WA economy and ensures Western Australians can get the training needed for the jobs of tomorrow. These areas include Centacare’s Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) and Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability). 

The new policy also opens up concession fee eligibility for young people. As of January 1st 2020, all 15 – 24-year-olds studying any priority course fee eligible for concession fees and do not have to have a concession card. Those older than 24 with a concession card are also able to access concession fees. 

Premier Mark McGowan said:

“Unfortunately the cost of training skyrocketed, that’s why we froze fees and now with the Budget back on track, we are slashing fees for specific courses by 50 per cent to make them affordable.

“Not only are we investing in job-creating projects across WA, we’re investing in the people we need to build them.

“Young Western Australians deserve the best possible chance to get into training or pick up an apprenticeship or traineeship.

“The significant fee reductions will make training more affordable for students wanting to do courses that lead to jobs in demand in Western Australia”

Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery remarked that investing in vocational training meant “more local skills and more local jobs.”

“More than ever the skills we need are learnt at training institutions. This is a great opportunity for you people to kickstart their career by getting the skills that employers want, without the hefty course fees.

“For these courses, the maximum annual fee students will pay is capped at $400 for concession students and youth and $1,200 for non-concession students.”

The Lower Fees, Local Skills initiative applies to Centacare’s Certificate III in Individual Support courses, in both our Ageing and Disability specialisations. The first intake to experience this reduction in course fees is our upcoming January 13th 2020 Individual Support group, who’s concession fees are now as low as $16 per week.

Not sure about going down the route of Vocational Education Training, check out our blog TAFE vs Uni: Choose the Right Pathway for You.