The Queensland Government has announced 2,000 extra free Diploma of Nursing training places from 2026.
The additional training places will see graduating students eligible to seek registration as an Enrolled Nurse and secure work in Queensland’s Health Care and Social Assistance Sector.
With places available at TAFE Queensland, CQUniversity and Mater Education, the initiative will help ensure Queenslanders from Cairns to Coolangatta, and from Mount Isa to Mackay, have access to free, job-ready training to deliver high-quality care close to home, said Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, Ros Bates.
“As a former nurse, and with a growing State, I know just how important nurses are to delivering the healthcare Queenslanders deserve, and to fixing Labor’s Health Crisis,” Minister Bates said.
“Despite the fact that by 2028-29, one in six new Queensland jobs will be in health care and social assistance, Labor let the Federal Government off the hook when it came to funding Fee Free Nursing and that’s why the Crisafulli Government has fully funded the Free Nursing program.
“The Crisafulli Government has committed to funding an additional 2,000 places because Free Nursing is one of the most popular VET programs, and it is essential to delivering on our commitment to secure a pipeline of skilled workers for Queensland’s future.”
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Tim Nicholls said the funding would help plug the gaps left by Labor in Queensland’s health workforce.
“Labor’s decade of decline left 20% of Queensland’s registered health workforce at or approaching retirement age and persistent shortages across rural and remote parts of our state,” Minister Nicholls said.
“Thanks to the Department of Trade, Employment and Training’s support of 2,000 additional Diploma of Nursing places, the Crisafulli Government is taking concrete, practical action to create a direct pipeline of job-ready, home-grown nurses who can step into frontline roles as soon as they graduate.
“This initiative is a key part of our Government’s plan to rebuild the workforce, reduce pressure on our hospitals and deliver easier access to health services for all Queenslanders.”
The Free Diploma of Nursing will be available in 2026 through TAFE Queensland, CQUniversity and Mater Education.
For more information about free nursing please visit Free Nursing | Education | Queensland Government.
