NSW Government Invests Almost $4 Million in Newcastle TAFE Digital Infrastructure

TAFE NSW campuses across Newcastle, including Hunter Street, Tighes Hill, and Hamilton, are set to benefit from a substantial portion of a $74 million state-wide investment aimed at enhancing digital infrastructure over the next two years.

Funding allocations for the Newcastle region include:

• Newcastle – Hunter Street: $360,000
• Newcastle – Tighes Hill: $2,842,000
• Hamilton: $642,000

The investment targets upgrading the outdated 2009 network, improving connectivity across 68 campus locations, and delivering 14,900 new devices for students, staff, and teaching areas. These enhancements are vital for accommodating modern educational demands, particularly in hybrid learning settings.

The upgrades aim to ensure all students, irrespective of their location, have access to the technology required to excel in their studies. The initial phase, focusing on WiFi and digital infrastructure, will be completed at 28 campuses by the end of August, with the remaining 40 campuses scheduled for completion by June 2025.

State Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp MP, highlighted the significance of this investment for the region:

“Newcastle is an industry hub and an excellent place for future workers to learn and develop their trade. This $4 million investment into our local TAFEs will guarantee students have access to up-to-date devices and a stable, reliable network connection.

“For years, I’ve been advocating for our TAFEs to be prioritised to address the NSW skills shortage, and it’s great to see a Government committed to achieving this.”

Minister for Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, emphasised the broader benefits of the investment:

“The Minns Labor Government understands that to expand learning opportunities in local communities, TAFE NSW needs enhanced network infrastructure and improved connectivity.

“By investing in technology-enriched campuses, TAFE NSW will be better equipped to deliver skills training for critical and emerging industries.

“We’ve already provided over 6,000 new classroom devices to support learners.

“This investment strengthens TAFE NSW’s ability to train key workers in priority sectors and build a skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of a modern economy.”