The Minns Labor Government is investing in $3.46 billion in skills, training and TAFE NSW in the 2026-27 NSW Budget.
We’re investing $2.7 billion in TAFE NSW, which includes a 23% increase in recurrent funding from the Coalition’s last Budget.
The investment strengthens the state’s skilled workforce, lowering the cost of training, and accelerating delivery of housing, infrastructure and essential services.
This Budget builds on the Minns Labor Government’s broader investment in skills and training, ensuring more people can access secure jobs while building the workforce NSW needs.
The 2026-27 Budget also continues:
- $28.8 million for fee-free apprenticeships and traineeships, helping more people gain job-ready skills without the burden of course fees.
- $816 million for subsidised vocational education and training places, supporting affordable training opportunities across priority industries.
- Payroll tax rebates for employers who hire apprentices and trainees, helping businesses invest in the next generation of skilled workers.
- Workers compensation premium incentives for small businesses employing apprentices, reducing the cost of taking on and training new workers.
- $80.2 million to continue the conversion of TAFE NSW teachers into permanent roles, building a stable teaching workforce and improving outcomes for students.
- The $13.8 million Housing Workforce Construction Package, helping train the workforce needed to deliver more homes across NSW.
- $15 million for the AgSkilled program, providing certainty for regional training and supporting workforce needs across agriculture.
The Budget also continues the Minns Labor Government’s work to rebuild TAFE NSW through investment in modern facilities, technology and equipment across metropolitan and regional campuses.
Major investments include:
- $233.2 million to upgrade campus networks, modernise classroom technology and deliver new devices for students and staff in regional areas.
- $18.8 million to upgrade TAFE NSW Wyong, Gosford and Ourimbah supporting training in high demand fields including health, ageing, disability, hair and beauty, and heavy trades.
- $24.1 million to modernise TAFE NSW Orange, including expanded trades capacity.
- $5.3 million for a new and upgraded facilities at TAFE NSW Muswellbrook including a multipurpose building, carpentry storage shed and covered outdoor learning area.
- $31.9 million to continue delivering future-focused education for in-demand capabilities in manufacturing through three Manufacturing Centres of Excellence.
- $14.6 million energy efficiency upgrades through solar and LED improvements across the TAFE NSW network.
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:
“This Budget is delivering the skills that work for NSW. It backs people into jobs and ensures we have the workforce to build homes, deliver infrastructure and grow the economy.
“We’re making training more affordable through fee-free and subsidised pathways, supporting employers to take on apprentices, and rebuilding TAFE NSW as the backbone of vocational education and the heart of our communities.”
