More than 5000 students have been granted free TAFE scholarships since they went on offer six weeks ago, with aged care and childcare topping the free course list.

The scholarships are an attempt by the Baird government to overcome a disastrous start to the TAFE year, after 30,000 fewer students enrolled in January, putting the viability of some courses at risk.

Education Minister Adrian Piccoli, Skills Minister John Barilaro (centre), and NSW Premier Mike Baird. The free TAFE scholarships have boosted course enrolments. Credit:Jay Cronan

Minister for Skills John Barilaro said there had been a "significant uptake" in the free scholarships since July 1, which "indicates there was an impact there, and this helps".

Fees were raised for more than half of TAFE courses this year, with some reaching $10,000, under the NSW government's market reforms. The collapse of a new computer enrolment system meanwhile prevented thousands of students from enrolling.