Nous Says 91% of Victorian TAFE Students Reach Employment Goals as Metrics Debate Intensifies
Updated
Updated · Inside State Government · May 25
Nous Says 91% of Victorian TAFE Students Reach Employment Goals as Metrics Debate Intensifies
2 articles · Updated · Inside State Government · May 25
91% of Victorian TAFE students achieved their employment-related goals in a Nous report commissioned by the Victorian TAFE Association, shifting the focus from course completion to job outcomes.
The report argues success should be measured by whether training leads to work, promotion or internships, rather than mainly by completion and satisfaction metrics tied to funding.
Priority industries also posted strong results, including 94% in the clean economy, 93% in advanced manufacturing and defence, and 92% in both health technologies and construction.
Priority cohorts showed similar outcomes, with 94% of outer regional learners and 91% of Indigenous learners, socio-economically disadvantaged learners and women fully or partly meeting employment goals.
The findings feed into Victoria's broader workforce challenge—1.4 million jobs needed by 2034—and bolster the case that Free TAFE improves access and helps close skills gaps.
Is a 91% job success rate worth the premium price of Free TAFE if private colleges deliver similar results for less?
Does celebrating TAFE's job placement rate hide a bigger problem: graduates taking any job, not the right career?
Victorian TAFE Delivers 91% Employment Outcomes: Meeting Skills Demand Through Free TAFE and Industry Alignment
Overview
The 2026 Nous Group report, commissioned by the Victorian TAFE Association, highlights that Victorian TAFE delivers strong employment outcomes, with students aiming for jobs or promotions being virtually guaranteed success. This high success rate benefits not only individuals but also employers and the broader Victorian economy by preparing a skilled workforce. With Victoria projected to need 1.4 million more workers by 2034, TAFE is identified as a crucial pipeline for integrating new entrants and upskilling the existing workforce, ensuring the state can meet future labor demands and maintain economic growth.