What types of government funding are available?

NSW Smart and SkilledSmart and Skilled* is a reform of the NSW Vocational Education and Training System which provides participants with a great opportunity to obtain the necessary skills needed to pursue a career through Government-subsidised training. Eligible qualifications range from Certificate I right through to Advanced Diplomas. Upskilled is pleased to be an approved provider of Smart and Skilled.

_{*This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.}

Certificate 3 Guarantee (QLD)

 The Certificate III Guarantee provides Queenslanders with access to government subsidised training places, up to and including their first certificate III level qualification in priority training areas. To help students who may need to develop skills before undertaking a Certificate III course, the Certificate 3 Guarantee will also cover foundation skills including language, literacy and numeracy as well as Certificate I and II qualifications that lead to the Certificate III. 

Skilling South Australia (SA)

 Skilling South Australia is designed to bring more opportunities for eligible South Australians to 'earn while they learn' by studying qualifications through a traineeship. With the Skilling South Australia program, the South Australian Government is able to invest to grow a skilled workforce in preparation for increasing economic opportunity coming from growth industries, such as defence, digital, cyber security and health.

Higher Level Skills (QLD)

 The Higher Level Skills program provides eligible individuals with access to one subsidised training place in selected Certificate IV level and above qualifications or priority skillsets. The aim is to assist individuals in gaining the higher-level skills required to secure employment or career advancement in priority industries. Employers may also be able to access training to address workforce development needs.

Future Skills (WA)

The WA State Government’s investment in training focuses on courses that equip people with the skills to undertake current in-demand jobs or those predicted to grow in demand in the future.

State Priority training courses provide skills and knowledge that align with the current needs of industries and employers. Future Skills WA will guarantee eligible students a State Government subsidised training place within these State Priority training courses in Western Australia; these courses attract the highest level of Government subsidy. State Priority training courses include 150 priority industry qualifications and many traineeships.

User Choice (ACT)*

 User Choice is a national policy initiative that facilitates the disbursement of funding and incentives to RTO's. Designed to make Vocational Education & Training (VET) more responsive to the strategic needs of Australian industry, User Choice works with Australian Apprenticeships so that employers, apprentices, and trainees may:

• Choose the RTO that best provides them with training services
• Negotiate key aspects of training (where, how, and when it is provided)

User Choice funding is paid directly to the relevant RTO, potentially reducing direct outlays by the employer. 

Skilled Capital (ACT)

 Skilled Capital is an ACT Government funded training initiative, providing Canberrans access to high quality training in skills need areas to maximise improved employment opportunities.

Traineeships - Existing worker*

This scheme targets workers who have been employed for longer than 3 months full-time (or 12 months part-time), and is dependent upon existing qualifications. Commonwealth incentives of up to $3000 (up to $1,500 for part-time) are available and are paid directly to employers.

Traineeships - New entrant*

This scheme targets workers who have been employed for less than 3 months full-time (or 12 months part-time) and is also dependent upon existing qualifications. Again, Commonwealth incentives of up to $4000 are available and are paid directly to employers.

*Students must be eligible to access government funding/incentives. Eligibility for Traineeship Incentives for the employer will be determined for each individual by an Australian Apprenticeships Centre (AAC). AACs are contracted by the Australian Government to administer the process of Traineeships and Apprenticeships as well as incentive payments employers receive. Please note there is no limit to the number of staff each organisation can apply for eligibility. Other forms of Government Funding may also be available, and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Upskilled strives to ensure our website contains the most up-to-date information at all times. However, due to the limited and rapidly shifting nature of government funding availability, a course listed as qualifying for funding on our website may not have funded places available at the time of your enquiry. Upskilled cannot guarantee the availability of government funding for any course. If the course you are interested in is not listed on our website, please contact us to discuss our other payment options.