Federation TAFE welcomes State Budget investment in regional skills and training
Certificate III in Plumbing students Alby Donald, Will Parry, Pro Vice-Chancellor, VET and Pathways and Chief Executive, TAFE Darren Gray, Member for Eureka Michaela Settle, Member for Ripon Martha Haylett, and Georgia Maguire.
Federation University has welcomed the Victorian Government’s 2025/2026 State Budget, released on 20 May 2025, which delivers a significant $6.1 million investment to upgrade facilities and support TAFE training delivery at its Ballarat and Mt Helen campuses.
The funding is part of the TAFE Network Asset Strategy to strengthen regional education.
As Victoria’s only dual-sector regional and rural TAFE and university, Federation aligns education with industry needs, helping students secure jobs in the regions and sectors that will drive Australia’s future growth.
The funding will ensure Federation TAFE’s Ballarat campuses offer modern, high-tech, world-class facilities that match those in metropolitan areas, delivering the best possible student experience while also fulfilling a key priority Federation advocated for in its Central Highlands High Growth Community Partnership.
The Central Highlands High Growth Community Partnership proposal, released by Federation University in the lead-up to the Federal election, proposed upgrading automotive and building and construction trades training facilities to support housing and infrastructure growth across the region — critical to meeting the needs of a rapidly growing regional population.
Federation will work with the Victorian Government to ensure the funding will support the Victorian Skills Plan by creating accessible pathways into the trades most in demand in the Ballarat community. Vice-Chancellor and President of Federation University, Professor Duncan Bentley, said the investment contributes to Federation’s broader vision for a clear education-to-employment pipeline across high-demand sectors.
“This State Government investment will improve access to local training and create job opportunities in key industries including renewable energy, engineering, agriculture, construction, education, and healthcare,” said Professor Bentley
“Federation University looks forward to working with the Victorian Government to implement these important budget measures. This investment ensures Federation TAFE has the student places and infrastructure needed to support the Central Highlands’ growth and economic aspirations.”
“I greatly welcome the support and interest from Minister for Skills and TAFE, the Hon Gayle Tierney MP, in Federation's approach to meeting the region's skills needs in Ballarat and across regional Victoria more broadly".
Federation also recognises the Victorian Budget 2025/26 has invested significantly to address several regional issues, in particular health and road infrastructure, and looks forward to supporting the skills needs to delivery these initiatives.
The Victorian Budget also provided critical funding to Victoria's international education sector including the ‘Yes To International Students Fund’, and the Victoria's Government's representation of the international education sector representation abroad. Federation welcomes these investments given the critical role international education plays in regional Victoria through education providers like Federation University.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney
“This $11.1 million investment in regional TAFEs is about giving the next generation of builders, electricians and mechanics in regional Victoria access to world-class training and real pathways into local jobs.”
"We have built and upgraded 27 TAFE campuses since 2014 – this is in stark contrast to the Liberal Party, who sacked more than 2,000 TAFE teachers, shut 22 TAFE campuses and ripped $1 billion from TAFEs across Victoria when they were last in Government."
Quotes attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison
“This is fantastic news for Ballarat – this investment will give more local students access to state-of-the-art training facilities right in the heart of our city. It means young people can get the skills they need for rewarding careers without having to leave Ballarat.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eureka Michaela Settle
“The Ballarat region has a proud history of trades and a bright future ahead. This funding is all about backing our local tradies of tomorrow with the best possible training today.
By expanding and upgrading Federation University’s facilities at Ballarat and Mt Helen, we’re ensuring our students get hands-on experience with the latest technology—from plumbing to building, and even the fast-growing field of electric vehicles.”
Quote attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett
“This is a big win for our region – giving more students from across western Victoria the chance to train in modern, industry-standard facilities. These upgrades mean better training, better careers and a stronger future for our communities.”