Fee-Free Construction Courses in WA: What's Covered in 2026

Fee-Free Construction Courses in WA: What's Covered in 2026

If you've been putting off a trade course because of the cost, 2026 might be the year that changes. The WA Government is running a fee-free arrangement for building and construction courses, on top of its broader Lower Fees, Local Skills program. The catch is that “fee-free” and “lower fees” aren't the same thing, and the fine print trips a lot of people up. Here's what's actually covered, who qualifies, and how to check before you enrol.

Fee-free vs Lower Fees, Local Skills — what's the difference?

Two separate but related WA Government training subsidy programs are running at the same time, and it's easy to mix them up:

Fee-free building and construction courses — selected qualifications have no course fee at all, for anyone who enrols between 1 January 2025 and the end of 2026. Start under this arrangement and you're covered at the fee-free rate for the whole course, even if you finish after 2026.

Lower Fees, Local Skills — a much broader list of 180+ VET qualifications (Certificate II through Advanced Diploma) across construction and other priority industries, discounted by half or more and capped at $400 a year for jobseekers, youth aged 15–24 and concession card holders, or $1,200 a year for everyone else.

In short: some construction courses are completely free; others on the Lower Fees, Local Skills list are heavily discounted but not zero-cost. Which one applies depends on the exact qualification.

Which construction courses are fee-free in 2026?

Fee-free status depends on the specific qualification, and on whether the training provider you're looking at currently holds a funded training contract with the Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD) to deliver it — not every RTO offers every course at the discounted rate. The most reliable way to check is the Jobs and Skills WA course finder, or the current Lower Fees, Local Skills List, both published on jobsandskills.wa.gov.au. It's worth checking both the course and the provider before you enrol anywhere, since funded contracts can change from year to year.

Who's eligible?

General eligibility conditions apply to both programs. You'll generally need to:

Have left school

Have your primary residence in WA

Meet residency or visa requirements

Some subsidies also depend on your employment status, age, or whether you hold a concession card — this determines which fee cap applies if your course isn't fully fee-free.

What “fee-free” doesn't cover

Fee-free means no course tuition fee — it doesn't necessarily mean the course costs nothing at all. Depending on the provider, you may still be asked to cover a resource fee for materials, PPE, or equipment used during training. Always ask a training provider for a full fee breakdown before you enrol so there are no surprises.

Why this matters if you're starting a trade

Many people starting a construction pathway begin with foundational units like the White Card before moving into a full qualification — a good time to check what's fee-free at each stage, since it can change the total cost of your training pathway, not just one course. We've covered what's involved in that first step in our White Card guide blog post. Or if you are ready to book, enrol into your online White Card Course today by clicking here.

How to check before you enrol

The fastest way to confirm whether a course is currently fee-free, and which providers hold the funded contract to deliver it, is the Jobs and Skills WA course finder or the Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64 — subsidy lists are updated periodically, so it's worth checking directly rather than relying on last year's list. If you'd like a hand thinking through your training options more broadly, including our own courses get in touch today.

Frequently asked questions

Is fee-free training only available at TAFE?

No. Private training providers that hold a current DTWD funded training contract can also deliver fee-free building and construction courses — not every provider does, so it's worth confirming with the provider directly before you enrol.

Does fee-free mean the whole qualification is free, or just part of it?

If your course is on the fee-free building and construction list, the course fee is waived for the whole qualification, for enrolments between 1 January 2025 and the end of 2026.

What if I enrol in 2026 but don't finish until 2027?

You're still covered under the fee-free arrangement for that course, since it applies from your enrolment date.

I don't think my course is fully fee-free — what will it cost?

Check whether it's on the Lower Fees, Local Skills list instead — fees are capped at $400 a year (concession/jobseeker/youth) or $1,200 a year (everyone else).

How do I know which category I fall into?

Speak with a Jobs and Skills WA advisor on 13 64 64 to confirm your eligibility and fee cap, or get in touch with us if you'd like general guidance on your training options - call us on 1300 436 756.