KRISTY MCBAIN MP

MEMBER FOR EDEN-MONARO

The Albanese Government has announced significant changes to support residents in Eden-Monaro through Fee-Free TAFE and a revised HECS repayment system, aiming to improve access to skills training and reduce financial burdens associated with student loans.

Since January 2023, Fee-Free TAFE has seen over 508,000 enrolments in priority sectors, including:

• 131,000 in care industries, such as disability and aged care
• 48,900 in digital and tech fields
• 35,000 in construction
• 35,500 in early childhood education and care

Of these places, six in 10 have been taken up by women, and one in three are in regional and remote Australia.

From 2027, the Albanese Government will fund 100,000 Fee-Free TAFE places per year as a permanent part of the vocational education system.

In 2024, an additional 300,000 Fee-Free TAFE places have been made available, with 20,000 focused on construction and housing.

In addition to this significant announcement, the Government has announced that if re-elected, it will cut a further 20 per cent off all student loan debts, wiping around $16 billion in student debt for around three million Australians.

This will benefit 13,601 people in Eden-Monaro who have a student debt.

For someone with the average HECS debt of $27,600 they will see around $5,520 wiped from their outstanding HECS loans next year.

This builds on the Government’s announcement that from 1 July next year it will reduce the amount Australians with a student debt have to repay per year, and raise the threshold when people need to start repaying.

Together, these reforms also build on the Government’s substantial tertiary education reforms, including:

• Delivering 500,000 Fee-Free TAFE places
• Doubling the number of University Study Hubs
• Introducing legislation to establish the Commonwealth Prac Payment and expand Fee-Free Uni Ready Courses; and
• A commitment to introduce a new managed growth and needs-based funding model for universities and establish an Australian Tertiary Education Commission.

Quotes attributable to the Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain:

“These changes will bring real financial relief to graduates in Eden-Monaro, easing the burden of student debt and allowing them to start their careers with more stability.

“Crucially, it will help skill up students for jobs in critical sectors like construction, the care sector and tech – where workers are in high demand.

“I’m proud to be part of a government that is making our education system fairer and more affordable for every Australian – no matter your background or where you live.”