- TAFE welcomes thousands of students for the start of Term 1, 2026
- State-of-the-art training facility in Collie on track to open later this year
- Part of Cook Government's support for skilling, upskilling, and re-skilling to support WA's growing and diversifying economy
The Cook Government is creating new opportunities for Western Australians to gain skills and get a quality job in 2026, with the South West to benefit from a new state-of-the-art training facility in Collie later this year.
Delivered by South West builder Devlyn Australia Pty Ltd, the new Collie Transition Training Centre project is part of the State Government's nearly $700 million commitment to the Collie Just Transition.
The new training facility will complement the existing South Regional TAFE Collie Campus and provide dedicated support to help local workers transition into new career opportunities.
It will provide modern training spaces tailored to the region's evolving industries, with a focus on the resources and infrastructure industry, which includes high-risk licences, machine tickets, and laboratory capabilities.
Continued works on Collie's new campus come at the same time as TAFE students throughout Western Australia return to class for Term 1.
While enrolments are still being finalised, applications for Semester 1 are up 6 per cent compared to the 2025 intake, with more than 29,300 applications lodged for full‑time study.
Year 12 graduates are a major contributor to this growth, with applications increasing by 19 per cent to more than 3,700.
This year marks an exciting one for TAFE, with seven new fee-free building and construction courses now available targeting the trades that will deliver more houses for Western Australians.
To further support regional apprentices and trainees, the Travel and Accommodation Allowance has also been increased, which will support regional Western Australians to skill, upskill, and re-skill and help support growing and diversifying the State's economy.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"It's an exciting time for Western Australia with thousands of future builders and nurses starting their training earlier this month so they can get the skills they need to deliver the homes and healthcare we need.
"That's why TAFE is key to my vision for regional WA - including Collie, where our Just Transition is delivering a diversified local economy.
"Our investments in fee-free and low-fee TAFE have made training more affordable and accessible for all Western Australians, ensuring we can keep our State's economy the strongest in the nation."
Comments attributed to Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"We are investing at record levels - funding fee-free and low-fee courses, revitalising campuses, and rejuvenating training centres to deliver job-ready graduates.
"Our record investment is working, and TAFE is delivering job-ready graduates for our growing economy."
Comments attributed to Housing and Works Minister John Carey:
"These seven new fee-free building and construction courses will help ensure WA has the tradies required to build housing into the future.
"It's yet another measure we're utilising to accelerate the delivery of new homes and is part of our record $6.3 billion investment in housing and homelessness measures since 2021."
Comments attributed to South West Minister Don Punch:
"The new Collie Transition Training Centre is a key part of the State's long‑term commitment to the Collie Just Transition.
"It will strengthen the region's training capability and support local workers to move into new, sustainable career pathways as the economy continues to diversify."
Comments attributed to Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns:
"As a former teacher, I'm pleased to see this new training facility taking shape.
"It will provide vital support for workers transitioning into new careers and offer valuable opportunities for the wider community.
"Access to training close to home strengthens our community and helps people build the skills needed for the jobs of the future."
