The Tasmanian Government has cut all subsidies for arts, screen, fashion, and creative media courses at TasTAFE, effective immediately. This decision increases fees by over 5000% for some courses. The Screen & Media Cert 4 for example jumps from from around $2,800 (or $400 concession) to $11,720, and the Cert 3 in Apparel, Fashion & Textiles will now jump to $21,425.

For any student that enrols for these courses in 2026, these fees must be paid in full before the course begins, as payment plans are not available, students are unable to access HECS as that is for university courses only, and the VET FEE-HELP was replaced with VET Student Loans, which is only available for Diploma level or above - and all bar one of the affected courses (Diploma of Graphic Design) fall below that level.

These cost hikes put creative education completely out of reach for most Tasmanians, ensuring that either only those that can afford it will attend, cutting out a huge swathe of diverse voices and perspectives, or that no-one will attend, the courses won't go ahead, the staff will lose their jobs and the Tasmanian creative community will collapse.

VET courses like this teach job-ready skills in areas such as filmmaking, photography, design, and digital media. Every small business, community organisation and modern workplace needs these creative and digital skills to compete in the modern world. And every community needs music, fashion and art to thrive.

By cutting this funding, the government are deciding which career paths our young people can follow; they're pricing out regional and low-income students, mature aged students, those with disabilities, neurodiversity, and other minority groups, from being able to engage in practical learning; they're undermining Tasmania's growing creative and digital industries, removing pathways that lead directly to jobs in screen, marketing and tourism; and they're sending a message that creative careers don't matter in this state. Not to mention the severe impact this has had on the mental health and wellbeing of the teachers, prospective students, and members of the creative community.

We call on the Minister for Skills and Jobs, Felix Ellis MP to:

1. Reverse this decision and reinstate subsidies for arts and screen training
2. Meet with educators, students, and industry to develop a fair, sustainable solution
3. Recognise the creative industries as vital contributors to Tasmania's economy, identity, and future workforce
4. Issue an apology for the lack of consultation and discussion with those affected, and the harm that has caused.

Creative education isn't a luxury, it's a necessity for Tasmania's next generation of storytellers, makers and innovators, and a vital part of a thriving, sustainable community.

Sign this petition now to keep creative education affordable, accessible and alive in Tasmania!