General Debate
House of Representatives · Monday 25 August 2025
Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia
Members debated the impact of the government's Free TAFE initiative during National Skills Week. Labor members highlighted increased enrolments and completions, arguing the policy addresses skills shortages in key sectors. Liberal and National Party members contended that apprenticeship numbers have fallen significantly, attributing this to a lack of alignment between courses and industry needs. The debate concluded with criticism of the government's ability to meet housing targets due to the skills crisis.
Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.
Opened the debate
Abdo moved the motion to recognise the vocational education and training sector. Abdo stated that over 650,000 Australians had enrolled and 170,000 had completed courses under the Free TAFE program. Abdo argued that the Free TAFE Bill 2024 secured permanent funding for at least 100,000 places annually. Abdo cited examples of students entering construction, nursing, and cybersecurity, and noted additional investments in apprentice allowances and the National Skills Agreement.
Venning argued that the Free TAFE program had failed to deliver results, citing a drop in apprenticeship numbers from 415,000 to 311,000. Venning claimed that high dropout rates indicated a lack of support for students to complete training. Venning asserted that the government was investing in generic courses rather than addressing specific shortages in trades and infrastructure. Venning called for targeted funding and stronger links between TAFE and employers to fix the skills pipeline.
Burnell highlighted the local impact of Free TAFE in the electorate of Spence, noting increased activity in aged care, nursing, and construction training. Burnell argued that the program removed financial barriers for students in regions with high educational need. Burnell stated that the Free TAFE Bill 2024 represented a commitment to fairness and rebuilding the training system. Burnell emphasised that skills training was vital for delivering new homes and supporting an ageing population.
Wallace noted a decline of 103,000 apprentices since the previous government left office, questioning the effectiveness of fee-free places. Wallace argued that many TAFE courses did not align with the specific skills shortages identified by employers. Wallace linked the skills shortage to the housing crisis, suggesting the government could not meet its target of 1.2 million new homes. Wallace also cited concerns about workplace behaviour on building sites as a deterrent for young women entering trades.