A FURTHER 2140 fee-free TAFE places will be available in housing and construction in Western Australia.

The additional places are made possible through federal government funding of $9.4 million, as they partner-up with the state government to address skills shortages to build the houses that Western Australians need.

From January 2025, 2140 new fee-free TAFE places will be available, including up to 540 pre-apprenticeship places.

The trades pre-apprenticeships will give students an opportunity to learn about a trade such as bricklaying, cabinet-making, carpentry, electrical and plumbing, and prepare them for future employment-based trades apprenticeships.

Western Australians who enrol in the new fee-free building and construction courses are set to save up to $1425 in tuition fees in comparison to 2024 costs, helping to further reduce financial barriers to people engaging in vocational training and joining WA’s in-demand construction workforce.

Premier Roger Cook said his government continued to work with industry and training providers on the best ways to further grow WA’s residential construction workforce.

“This partnership between the Cook and Albanese governments will add seven more building and construction courses to the Fee-Free TAFE list for 2025, taking the number of fee-free construction courses available to people looking to pursue a career in this in-demand sector to 17,” he said.