National TAFE Day, held on 3 September 2025, saw celebrations at TAFE campuses around the country and at Parliament House in Canberra.
AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe says National TAFE Day is about celebrating the teachers, students and communities that make TAFE such a powerful public institution.
"We know the social and economic returns of a strong, public TAFE system are immense."
— Correna Haythorpe, AEU Federal President
TAFE has been a gateway to a better future for so many students. It creates genuine pathways into employment and provides a bridge to lifelong learning and professional success.
This year, AEU TAFE delegates from around the country converged in Canberra, meeting with politicians to discuss the importance of TAFE, the need for the TAFE teaching workforce to be fully supported with the resources they need to deliver high-quality vocational education, and to share how TAFE builds communities and delivers opportunities for learners of all ages.
"The success of Free TAFE relies on TAFE teachers having fair pay, secure jobs and manageable workloads."
— Correna Haythorpe, AEU Federal President
With Free TAFE now enshrined in law by the Albanese Government, there have been more than 650,000 enrolments in critical industries. However, the success of Free TAFE relies on TAFE teachers having fair pay, secure jobs and manageable workloads.
In line with this, and held in the lead-up to National TAFE Day, the AEU National TAFE Council AGM called on the Federal Government to:
- Ensure all governments continue to fund and support TAFE, including investment in the teaching workforce and infrastructure.
- Hold states and territories to account for decision making on the allocation of places under the Free TAFE legislation.
- Acknowledge that when funding fluctuates, job insecurity increases for teachers.
- Provide further financial support to ensure all students can complete mandatory placements to meet the requirements of their qualification.
- Ensure that all TAFE Institutes provide their students with appropriate and accessible devices with which to learn, and access to stable internet where required for their coursework and off-campus learning.
"By investing in TAFE, we invest in skills, in equity and in the belief that every Australian deserves the chance to learn, grow and succeed."
— Correna Haythorpe, AEU Federal President
If we are serious about rebuilding TAFE and ensuring it can deliver for students and communities, then we must invest in the people who make it possible — TAFE teachers and staff.
