The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has issued a media release welcoming the Albanese Government’s commitment to expanding fee-free TAFE courses.
ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler said enduring funding for free TAFE study would help address skills shortages in the nursing and aged care workforces and save students thousands of dollars a year in TAFE course fees.
“TAFE courses have proven to be a success in providing students with ‘hands-on’ training and placements in relevant healthcare settings, helping build the nation’s nursing and aged care workforce, to meet the needs of our growing, ageing population,” Ms Butler said.
“We’ve been delighted that, so far, over 300,000 women have enrolled in fee-free courses across various sectors, including nursing, aged care and disability services.
“In a cost-of-living crisis, the Albanese Government’s commitment to continue with free TAFE courses, will save a student nurse thousands of dollars a year in course fees. For example, in Queensland, a student enrolled in a Diploma of Nursing course would save almost $16,000.
“We need to urgently grow the next generation of high-quality health and aged care workers and removing cost-barriers like these will continue to attract students into care industries which are still struggling to find suitably-trained staff.
“Fee-free TAFE courses will help recruit new enrolled nurses into the profession and deliver a pipeline of suitably-trained job-ready workers and the ANMF commends the Government on its commitment to supporting the health and aged care workforce,” Ms Butler said.
One Response
I joined TAFE SA, Diploma of Nursing, commenced Semester 1 2024. I joined as it was advertised ‘fee free’ and I was very skeptical yet assured many times over the phone to TAFE SA during the enrollment process, yes it is free.
It was not free for me.
Majority of students in my class, have been awarded fee free and I have not. I am a full time student working permanent part time to pursue my nursing, my husband is also an adult apprentice. We have a mortgage, usual household bills and three school aged children. My question is, HOW are students, in the same age group as I (mid 30s) receiving this FEE FREE course…these other students have no children, are partnered and between their partner and them, earn MORE than my husband and I with 3 children who have taken PAY CUTS to pursue better paying careers due to financial state of our country and based this study choice (for myself in particular) on the whole FEE FREE initiative?!
I would LOVE to pursue my career to Registered Nursing but the ONLY thing STOPPING me from doing so is the ongoing lengthy unpaid placements which include paying for accommodation. I know of 4 other people withing my community network whom wish to pursue their RN but cannot due to the same reasons as I.
The Nursing courses are unaffordable, definitely not family friendly and are not supported or appreciated enough. Cost-barriers have hardly been relieved for those who truly need it. Hopefully there are others out there, who are that passionate about and value nursing as I do, whom are willing to endure the family sacrifices, mental and financial impacts it has on their families, simply just to be a Nurse. Some days I think, is this even worth it? What am I doing to my family? I am being selfish! If I just quit, all our problems would be solved!
We certainly do need to urgently grow the next generation of nursing, aged care and health professionals in our country and we need to be learning from our previous generations before their amazing skills and knowledge is lost.
Removing and/or relieving cost related barriers would be like aggravating an ants nest with the opposite attitude- potential student nurses would be running out of our state and country’s woodwork with the most joy, passion and appreciation you could ever imagine! Nursing crisis SOLVED!
It can be done…its just has not been put into action. It is clear that Nursing has been used as a financial gain for our Government for too long. Bring us relief and support before there are not enough genuinely caring Health Care workers left, due to lack of support and the impact this has on us and our families!