A MAN has been charged after he threatened Bundaberg TAFE students with a fake handgun.

The 21-year-old had an argument with a group of students on the TAFE grounds on Walker Street on Friday morning.

He then left the TAFE and collected a replica handgun from a nearby house before returning and threatening the group with it from across the road.

The incident forced the TAFE into lockdown.

The man has been charged with one count of going armed to cause fear and one count of entering and creating a disturbance to cause fear at an educational facility.

“I’ve been assured the TAFE is back to normal operation,” Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Andrew Self said.

“Counselling has been offered to anyone who feels they’ve been affected by what happened today.”

Senior-Sergeant Self said the replica weapon did not enter TAFE grounds and the threats were made from outside of the property.

The man will face court on Monday.