Queensland’s TAFE Centres of Excellence have awarded more than $2.58 million in applied research grants, marking a major step in tackling skills shortages in critical industries like health care and clean energy.
These grants, announced by the federal and state governments, fund innovative training solutions through two pioneering centres: Health Care and Support, and Clean Energy Batteries.
The first-of-their-kind competitive grants in Australia focused on aged care and sustainable battery initiatives, with 12 projects selected from 36 national applications.
Federal Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles hailed the initiative as a milestone for the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system.
Key recipients include Ageing Australia, which secured $400,000 to pilot community learning hubs in regional Queensland.
These hubs aim to boost aged care training access in underserved areas.
Central Queensland University received over $170,000 to develop safety and recycling training for battery energy storage systems, supporting the growing clean energy sector.
Queensland Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates emphasised the grants’ long-term impact.
She framed the grants as fulfilling commitments to secure skilled workers, combat shortages, and foster economic growth for better lifestyles.
The TAFE Centres of Excellence at TAFE Queensland, jointly funded by federal and state governments, represent a strategic response to industry demands.
Round one success sets the stage for ongoing support, with round two slated to open in January 2026.
Officials anticipate continued national participation, as other discipline-specific centres in different jurisdictions remain open to Queensland applicants.
