Ukrainian refugees in Western Australia will no longer be slugged with thousands of extra dollars for vocational training, with the state government promising to roll-out subsidised training for refugees and asylum seekers from next year.
Currently, Ukrainian refugees and migrants on bridging visas are treated as international students, which means they need to pay to cover the full cost of their training.
The cost has stopped some new arrivals from the war-torn country from pursuing training and has prevented skilled migrants from being able to retrain to meet national standards.
However, Acting Minister for Education and Training Rita Saffioti says from January next year, all refugees and migrants on bridging visas will have access to subsidised training and the free courses already on offer for citizens.
"They'll be paying the same as Australians," she said.
"In some instances, your course cost will go from what would be over $10,000 to a quarter of that … but, also, they'll be accessing a number of free courses that are available."
The move brings WA in line with states like New South Wales and Victoria, which already offer subsidised courses for refugees and asylum seekers.
The state government is expecting more than 400 people to take up the offer and Ms Saffioti says she hopes the move will help combat skills shortages in industries like construction, aged care and hospitality.
"The more people you can get trained, into a job, earning a good living, able to care for their family and also contribute to society — the better it is," she said.
Free training for school students
For Ukrainian school students, the state government's $2.5-million plan will give them access to free vocational courses that Western Australians can take while still in high school.
However, it comes just one month too late for 18-year-old Alex Bahas. He left his family behind in Ukraine earlier this year and wanted to apply for TAFE this year but was turned off by the cost.
"I want to work in tourism, because I have worked in Ukraine in a tourism industry, or maybe work in business or in marketing," he said.
"[But] it's a problem, because TAFE costs $5,000 and I don't have this money."
Now he has missed the deadline to enrol but the changes will mean he can apply next year.
"I can't study in year 11, but maybe I can study in year 12," Alex said.
'Good for all students'
Similarly, the changes have paved the way for Ukrainian student Anastasiia Poliarush to enrol in vocational training when she finishes school.
The 17-year-old and her family left southern Ukraine to build a better life.
"I had thought that I would be a graphic designer … It will be real, not just a dream," Anastasiia said.
"[But] I had some troubles starting in TAFE, because in other states of Australia you can study in TAFE without any fee, but here you must pay.
"Where can Ukranian refugees have that much money? It's nonsense."
Anastasiia welcomed any support for refugees to help them get a good education away from home.
"It will be good, not just for me but for all students," she said.
Irina Bradley has been helping settle Ukrainian students in Perth and welcomes the changes.
"They could start a new future here or they could bring all that wealth of knowledge back home and help rebuild the country," she said.
Ms Bradley said the training would help Alex and Anastasiia follow their dreams.
"I think Anastasiia will go far and maybe get her own studio and maybe be a girl-boss and Alex is very set for business — he keeps thinking about maybe opening a coffee shop or a coffee van or a travel agency," she said.
"I think they're going to do great."
