Budget delivering boost for local skills with new Rockhampton TAFE Centre of Excellence

• Budget delivers funding for a new $61.1 million Rockhampton TAFE Excellence Precinct.
• Skills training to get more tradies on the tools and ease the skills crisis.
• Consolidating skills training at CQUniversity Rockhampton North campus allows for expansion of Rockhampton Hospital facilities. 
• Commitment will help to unlock surplus land allowing for construction of 200 homes. 

The Crisafulli Government is delivering a boost to trades training in Central Queensland, with a new TAFE Excellence Precinct to be constructed in Rockhampton. 

Delivering on a promise of a fresh start for Central Queensland, the Budget includes funding of $61.1 million over three years to lay the foundation to end Labor’s skills shortage with a new state-of-the-art centre to be built in North Rockhampton. 

The trades training facility will allow more tradies to get on the tools in trades, offering qualifications for more than 350 students a year to upskill in construction, manufacturing and hospitality, including air-conditioning, refrigeration, electrical, plus horticulture and hairdressing. 

The Crisafulli Government is delivering on its commitment to ease Labor’s skills shortage with $50 million this financial year to train tradies, and $10 million over two years for the Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s program that was left unfunded by the former Government. 

The Rockhampton TAFE Excellence Precinct will be based at the CQUniversity’s current Rockhampton North campus, transforming it into Central Queensland’s high-quality vocational education and training hub. 

The remaining Canning Street site will be repurposed, allowing for an expansion of facilities for the Rockhampton Hospital and unlocking additional land to deliver more homes for Queenslanders sooner. 

Treasurer David Janetzki said the Crisafulli Government was delivering on solutions to target the skills shortage across the State. 

“We’re getting on with the job of skilling up more people to get more tradies on the tools, sooner, so we can address Labor’s skills shortage,” Treasurer Janetzki said 

“This investment provides greater capacity for skills training each year, doubling training capacity for construction trades across the region.” 

Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the project provided space for vocational training projects to adapt to workforce needs in Rockhampton.  

“We are not only moving to unlock land for more homes but the Rockhampton TAFE Excellence Precinct is the state-of-the-art training hub Central Queensland deserves,” Minister Bates said.  

“The Crisafulli Government is providing $61.1 million over three years to deliver the Centre and our election commitment.” 

CQUniversity’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Nick Klomp said the facility would create a world-class trades training facility in Central Queensland.  

“More than a decade after CQUniversity became Queensland’s first and only dual sector university, we are excited to be moving ahead with the delivery of the second stage of the TAFE Excellence Precinct at the Rockhampton North campus,” Mr Klomp said. 

“The delivery of this facility is a key milestone for the University as it will see us consolidate all training and higher education operations onto one site in Rockhampton.”  

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Armsden 0417 518 532 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

Rockhampton TAFE Excellence Precinct will train specialised trades including: 

• air-conditioning and refrigeration  

• electrical 

• light automotive 

• metal fabrication  

• hairdressing and beauty  

• horticulture  

• hospitality and cookery 

• visual arts  

• information technology. 

Construction on the Rockhampton TAFE Excellence Precinct is expected to commence in June 2026 and be completed by June 2028.   

CQUniversity has been delivering vocational education and training since 2014, after merging with the former Central Queensland Institute of TAFE to become Queensland's only dual sector provider.