The WA Government is investing $216 million through the 2026–27 State Budget to strengthen Western Australia’s skilled workforce to support diversifying the State’s economy to ensure it remains the strongest in the nation.
The investment is focused on affordable training, specialist training infrastructure and targeted workforce incentives for the building and construction industry.
Funding will include:
- $124 million to continue current fee settings into 2027, including fee free and low fee TAFE courses, with a focus on priority industries such as building and construction and clean energy.
- $3.8 million to extend the ‘You can make it here’ campaign, highlighting career opportunities across key sectors including advanced manufacturing, defence, early childhood education and care, aged care and health.
- $19.6 million to support an additional 330 places in the Group Training Organisation (GTO) Wage Subsidy Program, encouraging employers to hire apprentices and trainees in the building and construction sector.
- $24.1 million to upgrade South Metropolitan TAFE’s Munster campus, supporting an estimated 840 annual enrolments in training for wind and alternative energy, battery technology, electrification, automation and robotics.
As part of the 2026–27 State Budget, $13.1 million has been allocated to support the building and construction industry to attract and retain skilled workers. This includes funding to extend the Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP) and Build a Life in WA (BALWA) incentive, delivering an additional 1,100 skilled migration places from 1 July 2026, and continued support through the Construction Migration Office until 2029.
Read the full media statements
$216 million TAFE and training boost
$13.1 million investment to boost WA's building and construction workforce
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