First fee-free nurse graduates to boost Townsville frontline

The first cohort of students to graduate fee-free from Mater Education’s Diploma of Nursing course is ready to boost North Queensland’s healthcare frontline.

Seven new graduates including Megan Crouch and Mikayla Zahirovic, have received much needed cost of living relief by saving almost $25,000 in tuition costs, thanks to the State Government fee-free TAFE initiative introduced in July 2023.

The students have qualified as enrolled nurses through the 18-month course at Mater Private Hospital Townsville and have the skills to hit the hospital wards straight away.

More than 70 students have enrolled in the Diploma of Nursing in Townsville since Mater Education was accredited by the State Government as an approved provider of the fee-free course in 2023.

Ms Crouch, 48, who was working as a Supply School Officer before enrolling in the course, said she was grateful for the tuition-free opportunity.

“Knowing that I don't have a massive debt at the end of this and I can begin my career without that debt is very relieving,” Ms Crouch said.

“I feel very grateful and very lucky to have received fee free study.”

For Ms Zahirovic, 22, the financial burden of studying was “completely taken away”.

“I walked in on day one thinking that I would have to pay the big $25,000 bill and the lead educator told us that it was free!” the Jensen resident said.

“Anyone who wants to study nursing should definitely take advantage and enrol in the course.”

Mater is Queensland’s largest not-for-profit healthcare provider and manages 11 private and public hospitals across the state. 

It has been training nurses and other health professionals since 1906 and is the only nationally accredited, independent, hospital-based Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in Queensland.

Mater Education Director of Education and Training Toni-Maree Henaway said educators were expecting more Townsville locals to take advantage of fee-free study with applications now open for the July 2025 course.

“Queensland urgently needs to expand its nursing workforce to meet the healthcare needs of our community now and into the future,” she said.

“Fee-free training has been an enormous incentive for those wanting to start their healthcare career. 

“Mater Education students benefit from hospital-based training, graduating confident and job-ready for their new careers.

“If you’ve been considering a healthcare career, there has never been a better time than now to make the change!”

Applicants for the Fee-Free TAFE initiative must live in Queensland and be Australian citizens or permanent residents to be eligible for a fee-free Diploma of Nursing. 

To find out more, contact Mater Education student engagement at 1300 070 350 or go to matereducation.qld.edu.au.

This program is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government. Conditions and criteria apply | RTO 5210 | HLT54121