Universities and TAFEs will be offering discounts on online courses starting in May to help fill skill shortages in the economic rebound once the coronavirus pandemic has run its course.



Education Minister Dan Tehan said the initiative will provide students and workers with the opportunity to re-skill or advance their careers after the economic disruption caused by COVID-19, while being able to maintain social distancing.

"Rather than bingeing on Netflix, [we would encourage students] to binge on studying...[for example] looking at nursing degree - areas where we need people," Minister Tehan told reporters in Canberra.

"And we are going to need people as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic."

He said the package is aimed at helping Australians who have lost their job or are seeking to retrain.



"The cost of these courses has been reduced by over 50 per cent, and in some instances up to 74 per cent," he said.



Minister for Education Dan Tehan announced the funding on Easter Sunday.