The Western Australian Government says its fee-free and low-fee TAFE initiative, You Can Make It Here, has driven a significant rise in interest in vocational education, particularly in areas linked to advanced manufacturing and other in-demand industries.
According to the state government, the refreshed TAFE WA website recorded nearly 42,000 views in the campaign’s first weeks, with strong traffic to pages highlighting sectors such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy, building and construction, and essential care services.
Preliminary data indicates about 19,000 full-time applications have been lodged for Semester 1, 2026, as revealed in a news release.
The government reported that applications from Year 12 school leavers rose 17 per cent to 3,056, describing the increase as evidence of growing interest in practical, skills-focused pathways.
Launched on 13 October, You Can Make It Here promotes fee-free and low-fee qualifications connected to job opportunities in the State’s expanding economy.
Fee-free TAFE is jointly funded by the Albanese Labor Government and the Cook Labor Government.
The Western Australian Government attributed the strong response partly to ongoing investment in vocational training, including more than $250 million for new training infrastructure and more than $50 million in equipment across the State’s five TAFE colleges.
Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the Government’s investment is aimed at ensuring TAFE can continue to deliver job-ready graduates for industries seeking skilled workers.
“We are investing at record levels – funding fee-free and low-fee courses, revitalising campuses and rejuvenating training centres to deliver job-ready graduates,” she said.
Sanderson said the increasing uptake shows Western Australians are recognising the value of accessible technical training. “With 140 TAFE courses fee-free, and fees slashed for another 160, education and training is accessible and affordable,” she said.
“The success of our You Can Make It Here campaign shows Western Australians know TAFE is the pathway to exciting careers and well-paid jobs.”
The state government encouraged prospective students to apply before key deadlines. Competitive course applications close on 14 November 2025, with offers to be released on 3 December 2025. All other applications remain open until 6 February 2026.
Information on fee-free and low-fee TAFE courses is available through the TAFE WA website or by contacting a local Jobs and Skills Centre.
