Fee-Free Construction Fund
| Program name: | Fee-Free Construction Fund |
|---|---|
Program open to: | Endorsed Registered Training Organisations |
| Program open date: | 19 November 2025 |
| Program close date: | 28 January 2026, 2:00PM (AEDT) |
| Program purpose: | The Fee-Free Construction Fund aims to support training that is critical to the construction industry and housing supply sector in Tasmania. Funding is available for the delivery of pre-apprenticeship focussed nationally recognised training in either Certificate I and II level qualifications, or similar level accredited courses that fall under the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package (CPC). |
| Contact: | Grant Program Manager - (03) 6165 6037 or jobseekerfund@skills.tas.gov.au |
Through the Fee-Free TAFE Skills Agreement, the Australian Government has partnered with state and territory governments to deliver fee-free TAFE and vocational education and training (VET) places across Australia over 2023 to 2026.
As part of the 2024-25 Budget, the Australian Government committed additional fee-free TAFE and VET places for training relevant to the housing and construction sector.
The Fee-Free Construction Fund supports Tasmania’s delivery of training places under this arrangement. The aim of the Fund is to support courses critical to the construction industry and housing supply sector in Tasmania.
The construction sector is recognised as a priority area of current workforce need with projected high growth and emerging skills demand. This aligns with the National Skills Agreement, which identifies housing supply as a national priority under the National Skills Plan. The Tasmanian Government is also committed to supporting excellence in our building and construction workforce through the Tasmanian Skills Plan (action 1.8).
The Grant Program Guidelines contain more detail about eligible and ineligible activities.
Eligibility
Applicant eligibility
To be deemed eligible, applicants must:
- be a Skills Tasmania endorsed Registered Training Organisation
- have the qualification/s, accredited course/s, skill set/s and/or unit(s) of competency included on the RTO’s scope of registration for delivery in Tasmania
- be financially viable (Applicants must provide financial statements for 2022, 2023 and 2024. If you are yet to prepare FY2024 statements, you must provide management accounts from Xero, MYOB or equivalent)
- have a current contract of public liability insurance for at least $20 million for:
- each individual claim, and
- series of claims arising out of a single occurrence.
TasTAFE is an eligible applicant under the Fee-Free Construction Fund where it can demonstrate an existing delivery partnership with a Tasmanian-based participant(s) in the Tasmanian training and workforce development system (i.e. a Tasmanian based employer or Tasmanian based industry peak organisation) working within the construction industry and housing supply sector in Tasmania.
Learner eligibility
The following learners are considered jobseekers and are eligible to receive subsidised training under the Fee Free Construction Fund:
- individuals out of work
- individuals who are underemployed, which is defined as employed people who would prefer, and are available for, more hours of work than they currently have, including part-time workers.
- individuals looking to upskill or gain new skills outside of their current employment. For the purposes of the Fee-Free Construction Fund this means training that does not relate to the individual’s current employment and is not supported by their current employer.
Eligible learners will need to meet any course specific entry requirements, are eligible for a training place regardless of their prior qualifications and can undertake training in more than one Fee-Free Construction Fund qualification, course or skill set per round.
How to submit an application
Grant Program Guidelines
Applicants must read the Fee-Free Construction Fund - Grant Program Guidelines prior to applying.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted online using the SmartyGrants online grant management system prior to the closing time. The application process requires applicants to address selection criteria and attach supporting evidence.
Submit your SmartyGrants application form.
Questions in relation to the use of the online application form or SmartyGrants may be answered via the online Help Guide or on the SmartyGrants’ Applicant FAQ page. Applicants can also email service@smartygrants.com.au or call 03 9320 6888. (Support Desk hours are 9 am – 5 pm (AEST), Monday through Friday).
Need more information?
Contact the Grant Program Manager on (03) 6165 6037 or by email at jobseekerfund@skills.tas.gov.au