Crisafulli Government delivers 2,000 extra fee free Diploma of Nursing training places

• The Crisafulli Government will deliver 2,000 additional Free Diploma of Nursing places in 2026.
• The free diploma will support the Health Care and Social Assistance sector which is projected to be Queensland’s fastest growing industry by 2028-29.
• Part of the Crisafulli Government’s plan to heal Labor’s Health Crisis and deliver a better lifestyle through a stronger economy. 
• The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start for Queensland after Labor presided over a skills shortage.  

The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start for Queensland, with 2,000 extra free Diploma of Nursing training places from 2026. 

It’s just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy, after Labor presided over a skills shortage during their decade of decline.  

These 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, this 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. 

After a decade of decline under Labor, the Crisafulli Government is securing a pipeline of skilled workers for the state’s health workforce and healing Labor’s Health Crisis. 

Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said as the State continues to grow it was vital to have highly skilled frontline heath staff to meet the needs of Queenslanders. 

“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 per cent 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.” 

Member for Coomera Michael Crandon said this was an investment in Queenslanders and jobs, including on the Gold Coast.