NSW Fee Free – giving people the skills businesses need
NSW Fee Free improves access to training, including for young people, job seekers, First Nations People, unpaid carers, women undertaking study in non-traditional trades and certain categories of visa holders.
It does this by offering:
- courses that support priority industries, fee free
- the priority courses at TAFE NSW and Smart and Skilled contracted training providers, including Adult and Community Education providers.
Access to NSW Fee Free places is limited and is subject to:
- availability of NSW Fee Free places
- commencing training in a NSW Fee Free priority course, where places are available
- meeting the student eligibility requirements below.
NSW Fee Free enrolments for Semester 1, January to June 2027 are now open with Smart and Skilled Providers and TAFE NSW. Training will commence from 1 January 2027 for all eligible students.
For further information on what courses are available please visit Skills NSW.
Who is eligible?
People who meet Smart and Skilled eligibility criteria and are undertaking a NSW Fee Fee priority course may be eligible for a fee free place. The Smart and Skilled eligibility criteria:
- 15 years old or over
- no longer at school
- living or working in NSW
- an Australian citizen, permanent resident, humanitarian visa holder, or New Zealand citizen.
Please note that NSW Fee Free places are limited and a fee free place is not guaranteed. When enquiring with a training provider please ensure you have all the information needed to help you make a decision, including asking about the timeframe for confirming whether a Fee Free place is available to you and what the qualification fee is if a Fee Free place is not available.
NSW Fee Free Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Thinking about a future in the construction industry but not sure where to start? The NSW Fee Free Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Program gives you the chance to explore construction trades, build practical skills, and get a feel for real work environments — all at no cost to you.
Funded jointly by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments through the Fee-Free TAFE Skills Agreement, this program offers short, targeted training (known as “part qualifications”) drawn from real construction apprenticeship and traineeship pathways. It’s designed to help you:
- Try out a construction-related trade
- Build skills that boost your job readiness
- Make informed decisions about which apprenticeship or traineeship you want to pursue
- Prepare for a smooth transition into the construction industry
Whether you’re considering a trade in housing, infrastructure, or another construction field, this program gives you a valuable taster before you commit to a full apprenticeship or traineeship.
Enrolments for NSW Fee Free Construction Pre Apprenticeship Program must be completed by 31 December 2026.