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Fee-Free Construction

CIT Fee-Fee TAFE Construction courses

 

The ACT Government has signed up for 340 additional Fee-Free TAFE places through Fee-Free Construction from 1 January 2025 for two years.

CIT are excited to expand the Fee-Free TAFE course list to boost the number of skilled workers in the housing and construction sector.

Fee-Free Construction is a jointly funded initiative of the Commonwealth, state and territory governments.

Prospective students are encouraged to apply early as Fee-Free Construction places are limited in the ACT.

On this page

Fee-Free Construction eligibility

Eligibility criteria apply.

Course fees do not apply for approved students.

Approved students will need to pay for learning resources such as textbooks, or other equipment required for the course such as personal protective equipment.

The course will remain fee-free for the duration of your training as long as you remain engaged in your study.

  • Eligibility criteria

    • To be eligible for a Fee-Free Construction course at CIT, prospective Fee-Free Construction students at the time of application must:

      • be at least 17 years of age, not enrolled at school (including Year 11 or 12) or another program leading to the completion of Year 12 (including the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate) - please refer to the FAQs below
      • be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent Australian resident or an eligible VISA holder
      • live or work in the ACT
      • not have enrolled in the course previously
      • meet the eligibility requirements of individual courses.

Fee-Free Construction course list

The course list may be updated as courses are filled or if other courses become available.

Attend an upcoming course information session to find out more about the course you are interested in and get assistance with the application process.

To apply for a course listed below, select the course and when you are on the course page, select ‘Apply Now’ and select the ‘Fee-Free’ link. Applications are open for 2026. Apply early as places are limited and eligibility criteria apply.

Pre-Apprenticeship

Are you new to, or interested in the housing and construction sector? Through Fee-Free Construction you can complete CIT’s General Construction and Safety Taster. A pre-apprenticeship short course that runs three-days a week in one learning term, that includes hands-on learning, theory, and industry experience.

Subjects include: Prepare to work safely in the construction industry (CPCCWHS1001), Prevent crystalline silica exposure (NAT10830001), Identify and report asbestos containing materials (NAT11084001), Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry (CPCCWHS2001), Carry out measurements and calculations (CPCCOM1015), Undertake a basic construction project (CPCCVE1011), and Handle construction materials (CPCCCM2004).

Pre-apprenticeship short courses give you a taste of the trade industry and can prepare you for a trade apprenticeship.

To hear from recent graduates of this pre-apprenticeship Taster delivered in collaboration with Ginninderry SPARK, watch the video.

Places are limited in the remaining Taster intakes:

  • women in construction starting in October 2025
  • general intake starting in April 2026.

Register your interest for the General Construction and Safety Taster intake suitable for you.

Short courses for new and existing workers in the construction industry

Full qualifications

Course entry requirements apply.

The below Fee-Free TAFE construction related courses will open on Saturday, 6 September for applications for classes commencing in Semester 1 2026:

Entry onto a construction site

New entrants to the housing and construction sector need to complete safety training before they enter a construction site. In the ACT this includes General Construction Induction Training, along with safety training in asbestos awareness and crystalline silica prevention.

To support new workers in the ACT construction and housing sector, these courses have been added to the Fee-Free Construction course list.

  1. General Construction Induction (White Card Training)
    All persons require a General Construction Induction Card (White Card) when working on a construction site. General Construction Induction Training is a nationally accredited competency unit known as “CPCWHS1001: Prepare to work safely in the construction industry”.
  2. Course in Asbestos Awareness 11084NAT
    This course is designed to provide the knowledge and skill for individuals to be able to identify a range of asbestos products and materials and be able to report the material to the relevant person or Authority.
  3. Course in Crystalline Silica Exposure Prevention 10830NAT
    This course will provide the skills and knowledge to recognise workplace health and safety risks and hazards appropriate, when working with crystalline silica containing products. You will be able to identify products containing crystalline silica, use products in accordance with legislation, and National standards, and identify the consequences of use and/or exposure to silica dust.

CIT recognises that some students may have completed 1 or 2 of these construction safety accredited short courses. When registering your interest below for a Fee-Free Construction place, you will need to advise if you are interested in 1, 2 or all 3 courses.

Register your interest

Fields marked with * are required.

First name*

Last name*

Email address*

Mobile*

Which type of course are you interested in?*

Which 'Entry onto a construction site' course are you interested in? (Select one, two or all three)*
Other - Which type of course are you interested in?*

What best describes you?*

Other - What best describes you?*

How did you find out about Fee-Free Construction?*

Other - how did you find out about Fee-Free Construction?*

I consent to receiving marketing emails from CIT about relevant course offerings?