Billions could be spent to increase the number of Australians trained in areas of high demand, including clean energy, the care sector and digitisation.
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The Albanese government could spend $12.6 billion under the five-year National Skills Agreement, which comes into effect from January.
This follows a deal struck at a national cabinet meeting on Monday.
In the May budget, the government set aside more than $400m for an extra 300,000 fee-free TAFE places.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the agreement would mean more workers with the skills the economy needed.
"The National Skills Agreement is consistent with so much of what my government does - bringing people together from all over the country to address the common challenges faced by all of us," he said.
"We need to train Australians for the jobs of today as well as the jobs of tomorrow."
Skills and Training Minister Brendan O'Connor said for too long the TAFE sector had been underfunded.
"A high performing and world-class VET sector is crucial for achieving a fairer society and a stronger economy," he said.
Australian Associated Press
