Through the National Skills Agreement, the Australian Government is partnering with states and territories to establish a National TAFE Network to foster collaboration among TAFE teachers and administrators and enhance teaching and learning outcomes.
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What is the National TAFE Network?
Through the National Skills Agreement, the Australian Government is partnering with states and territories to establish and operate a National TAFE Network which will foster collaboration between the teachers and administrators of TAFEs and public training providers to develop curriculum resources, improve the quality of teaching and learning practice, and enhance the status of TAFE. The National TAFE Network will share innovation and best practice across Australian TAFEs and public training providers.
Under the National Skills Agreement the Australian Government will provide funding of up to $147.80 million over 5 years to establish and operate the National TAFE Network. This funding will require a matched contribution from states and territories. In addition, the Australian Government will provide $6.77 million over 5 years to support the coordination of the National TAFE Network.
The National TAFE Network will:
- develop and support the TAFE workforce and education practice, including through communities of practice organised around specific topics
- develop curriculum and course materials that are shared among TAFEs and public training providers
- pilot new or innovative approaches in teaching and learning practice
- provide a mechanism for TAFE Centres of Excellence, Jobs and Skills Councils, universities, employers, unions and others to engage with TAFEs and public training providers
- embed TAFE workforce leadership as a key activity to support TAFEs at the heart of the VET sector.
The Australian Government and states and territories have jointly developed a multilateral implementation plan that details an operational approach, governance arrangements and coordination mechanism for the National TAFE Network. As of August 2025, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and the Commonwealth have joined the National TAFE Network.
National TAFE Network Committee
The National TAFE Network Committee is a TAFE-led representative body established to guide the direction of the National TAFE Network and reflect the views of participating states and territories and their TAFEs. It is responsible for:
- Setting overall priorities for the National TAFE Network
- Establishing a policy and operational framework to guide the National TAFE Network’s operations
- Developing a strategic plan for 2025-2028 detailing an overarching direction for priorities and actions of the National TAFE Network
- Developing annual workplans outlining the activities of the National TAFE Network over the life of the National Skills Agreement
The NTN Committee consists of:
- Ms Mary Faraone (Holmesglen Institute of TAFE, Victoria) - Chair
- Ms Celia Murphy (TAFE NSW)
- Ms Fiona Champion (TAFE SA)
- Ms Josephine Andersen (CIT, ACT)
- Mr Michael Hamilton (Charles Darwin University, NT), and
- Ms Vicki Wilkinson (Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Commonwealth).
National TAFE Network – next steps
The Australian Government is working with participating jurisdictions to finalise the operational arrangements for the National TAFE Network. This includes establishing a coordination mechanism to act as the ‘front door’ for the Network’s engagement with stakeholders and supporting the National TAFE Network Committee to develop its initial plans and operational framework.
These foundational elements of the National TAFE Network will be progressively established across 2025 – 2026.
Further information, including contact information, will follow.