From next year the Victorian Government's announced it's picking up the tab for dozens of TAFE and pre-apprenticeship courses in industries set to boom.
But what exactly does that mean and, more importantly, how do you get in on it?
Say goodbye to course fees
What is in the budget?
Free TAFE education in 30 "high-priority" fields ($172 million)
From next year the Victorian Government's announced it's picking up the tab for dozens of TAFE and pre-apprenticeship courses in industries set to boom.
But what exactly does that mean and, more importantly, how do you get in on it?
Say goodbye to course fees
What is in the budget?
Free TAFE education in 30 "high-priority" fields ($172 million)
A mental health funding boost ($705 million), including 89 extra beds and six emergency department crisis hubs
Payroll tax-free threshold lifted to $650,000
Payroll tax cut to 2.425 per cent for regional businesses
Three extra judges and another 18 magistrates to fast-track court hearings and ease judicial workloads ($129 million)
Upgrades for 13 arterial roads ($2.2 billion) and planning work on the North East Link ($110 million)
Planning for a tram line from Caulfield Station to Rowville ($3 million) and a fast rail link to Geelong ($50 million)
Twelve new schools in Melbourne ($283 million)
A $50 cash incentive for households for visiting a power bill comparison website ($48 million)
A budget surplus of $1.4 billion
From January 2019, the State Government will cover the cost of 30 TAFE courses and 18 pre-apprenticeship courses.
The courses cover everything from accounting and agriculture to concreting, construction and nursing.
Stepping-stone courses, known as pre-apprenticeship courses, will also be covered and include automotive body repair and furniture-making.
They're all in infrastructure-heavy industries, which the Government is betting will boom in the coming years.
The Government said it would also subsidise an additional 30,000 training places.
So how much will I save?
The short answer is between hundreds and thousands of dollars.
Under the Government's plan, students will only pay for materials and amenities like books, meaning that cash you've squirreled away from your part-time job stays in your bank account.
It's a serious consideration for a lot of students who have to pay for TAFE courses up-front, like Louise Scarcella.
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