A Shorten Labor Government will scrap upfront fees for 100,000 TAFE students as part of our commitment to make it easier people in this area to gain valuable skills and education.

By waiving these upfront fees, Labors plan will enable many students to attend TAFE without incurring any fees.

As part of our commitment to early education, we will allocate 10,000 of these places to early education courses.

The policy is part of a comprehensive plan to support TAFEs, vocational education and apprenticeships across the country.

Labor will guarantee two-thirds of government vocational education and training funding goes to TAFE to ensure quality learning and improved job opportunities for Australians.

Labor will also invest $100 million in a Building TAFE for the Future Fund, to revitalise TAFE campuses and facilities in regional and outer metropolitan areas.

Thornlie is the largest campus of South Metropolitan TAFE and is the most advanced in the state when it comes to heavy duty mechanical work.

Unfortunately due to $3 billion funding cuts to TAFE and apprenticeships under the Liberals, numbers have declined in Burt by 28% since 2013, thats nearly 1,000 apprentices and trainees.

The Liberals have defunded and neglected TAFE and the apprenticeship system. Burt has seen a collapse in apprentice and trainee numbers since they came to government, with $270 million cut in the last budget alone. said Matt Keogh MP.

To further support apprentices, Labor will ensure Commonwealth funded projects prioritise Australian jobs, with at least one in 10 jobs on major projects filled by apprentices.

Labor will also provide 20,000 adult apprentice program placements for older workers who need to retrain and 10,000 pre-apprentice programs for young people who want to learn a trade.