What is government funding?
Government funding programs are designed to make education and training more affordable. Here are the main types of funding offered:
Vocational Education and Training
-
State-based funding
Each state and territory in Australia has its own VET funding schemes and the eligibility criteria varies. A Registered Training Organisation (RTO) can assess your eligibility. Find a funded course and speak to an RTO.
-
VET Student Loans (VSL)
A loan to help cover tuition fees for approved vocational courses at the diploma level or above. You repay the loan once your income exceeds a certain threshold.
Higher Education
-
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
The government subsidises part of your university tuition for eligible courses. You can delay paying your student contribution with a HECS-HELP loan.
-
HELP Loans (HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP)
A loan to help cover tuition fees for approved higher education courses. You repay the loan once your income exceeds a certain threshold.
State-based funding
Each state offers funding for VET courses to eligible students, targeting industries crucial to economic growth. To access this funding, you need to find a course that is approved under the funding scheme and delivered by an approved Registered Training Organisation. Learn more about each scheme below.
Fee-Free TAFE
Looking to enhance your skills for better employment opportunities? If you're in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), you might be eligible for complimentary training.
Learn moreJobTrainer
JobTrainer ACT is an investment of more than $16.75 million in vocational education and training (VET) by the Australian and ACT state governments. This joint undertaking will allow more than 2,500 residents of the Australian Capital Territory to undertake free training.
Learn moreSkilled Capital
Skilled Capital allows eligible ACT students to enrol in subsidised qualifications from Certificate II through to Advanced Diploma as well as skill sets.
Learn moreUser Choice
User Choice Funding is a national funding scheme that subsidises the cost of an Australian Apprenticeship. The level of funding varies by state.
Learn moreFee-Free TAFE
Need the skills to get a job or follow your career passion? If you live in New South Wales (NSW) you might be eligible for free training.
Learn moreJobTrainer
JobTrainer is an Australian government initiative to help young Australians get the job skills they need to find employment. Up to $2 billion is being allocated (across all states and territories, including New South Wales) for (VET) vocational education and training.
Learn moreNSW Fee-Free training
Browse fully subsidised courses and check your eligibility for the hundreds of qualifications up-for-grabs under the NSW Fee-Free scheme.
Learn more
Smart and Skilled
Smart and Skilled allows eligible NSW students to enrol in subsidised qualifications from Certificate I through to an Advanced Diploma as well as all NSW apprenticeships and selected new entrant traineeships.
Learn moreFee-Free TAFE
Seeking to upgrade your skills for a fulfilling career? Residents in the Northern Territory (NT) might have access to free vocational training.
Learn moreJobTrainer
Thousands of free and low cost training courses are available to residents of the Northern Territory under JobTrainer NT — a joint investment by the Australian government and the NT state government.
Learn moreUser Choice
User Choice Funding is a national funding scheme that subsidises the cost of an apprenticeship or traineeship, and provides additional incentives for students in remote and regional areas.
Learn moreCertificate 3 Guarantee
The Certificate 3 Guarantee provides funding for a range of Certificate III qualifications as well as foundation skills training.
Learn more- Live in Queensland
- An Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident (including humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency
- Are at least 15 years old
- No longer at school (with the exception of VET in Schools students)
- Must not have or be enrolled in a certificate III level or higher qualification
Fee-Free TAFE
Fee-Free TAFE (QLD) is a state government initiative that offers eligible Queenslanders the chance to attain a fully accredited diploma, certificate qualification, or short course at zero cost.
Learn moreFree training for Apprenticeships
This funding scheme provides free training for students who are under 21 years of age in priority apprenticeship and traineeship programs.
Learn moreFree training for Year 12 graduates
Fee Free Training for Year 12 Graduates enables eligible Year 12 graduates to access fee-free apprenticeships, traineeships and training in high priority areas. The Queensland government provides subsidised training within the calendar year after graduating from high school.
Learn more- Live in Queensland
- Have completed Year 12 in Queensland and hold a Senior Statement issued by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority or equivalent certification
- Enrolled and started an apprenticeship, traineeship or training, with an approved training provider in a high priority qualification by the end of the calendar year following completion of Year 12
Higher Level Skills
The Higher Level Skills Program provides funding for Certificate IV or higher level qualifications within priority skill sets.
Learn more- Live in Queensland
- An Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident (including humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with the nec-essary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency
- Are at least 15 years old
- No longer at school
- Must not have or be enrolled in a certificate IV or higher qualification
- For some qualifications you may be required to be an existing worker in the industry to be eligible to enrol
JobTrainer
JobTrainer Queensland is an investment of more than $201 million into the vocational education and training (VET) sector in Queensland. This joint initiative between the Federal Government and the QLD state government will allow new workers, school leavers, apprentices, and trainees to access free and low cost training.
Learn moreUser Choice
User Choice Funding is a national funding scheme that subsidises the cost of an apprenticeship or traineeship.
Learn moreFee-Free TAFE
Looking to upgrade your skillset and propel your career forward? If you're in South Australia (SA), you might have the opportunity to access free training.
Learn moreJobTrainer
The South Australian state government (in partnership with the federal government) have allocated more than $88 million in new training opportunities for the residents of South Australia.
Learn moreSkilling South Australia
Skilling South Australia allows eligible SA students to enrol in subsidised qualifications from Certificate I through to an Advanced Diploma.
Learn moreWork Ready
WorkReady is the funding and incentive program in South Australia for Vocational Education and Training (VET). WorkReady provides training and employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups, strategic industries and regional locations.
Learn more- Live or work in South Australia (SA)
- Are an Australian or New Zealand citizen or a permanent Australian resident or hold a certain type of visa
- Are at least 16 years old
- Have left school; or enrolled in school and undertaking training through the Training Guarantee for SACE Students (TGSS); or undertaking training through a training contract as an apprentice or trainee in identified courses.
Fee-Free TAFE
Ready to enhance your skills and advance your career? If you're in Tasmania (TAS), you might be in luck with access to free training.
Learn moreJobTrainer
JobTrainer TAS is a joint undertaking by the State government of Tasmania and the Federal Government. Together they are providing $21.04 million for new VET (vocational education and training) opportunities for the citizens of Tasmania.
Learn moreSkills Tasmania
Skills Tasmania is a state government program that helps the citizens of Tasmania access subsidised qualifications and the vocational training that leads to actual jobs and business opportunities.
Learn moreFee-Free TAFE
Fee-Free TAFE is a Victorian government initiative aimed at providing free training in selected courses to help people gain the skills they need to secure a job. It offers a range of qualifications in industries such as health, construction, and technology, with the goal of reducing the cost of education and increasing job opportunities.
Learn moreSkills First
Skills First allows eligible VIC students to enrol in subsidised qualifications from Certificate I through to an Advanced Diploma.
Learn moreFee-Free TAFE
Seeking to boost your skillset and explore new career opportunities? If you're in Western Australia (WA), you might have the chance to benefit from free training.
Learn moreJobs and Skills
Jobs and Skills allows eligible WA students to enrol a range of training options including apprenticeships, traineeships, and industry qualifications.
Learn more- Live in Western Australia
- Have left school
- An Australian citizen; or a permanent visa holder or holder of visa subclass 309, 820 or 826; or a dependent or spouse of the primary holder of a visa subclass 457
Interstate apprentices and trainees may be eligible for publicly funded training in WA. For further details please check with your chosen training provider
Additional criteria may apply.JobTrainer
JobTrainer Western Australia is a joint investment by the Australian government and the WA state government into the vocational education and training (VET) sector. Residents of Western Australia share in $104 million of new training opportunities from January 2021.
Learn moreLower Fees, Local Skills
The Lower Fees, Local Skills program is an initiative of the Western Australian Government and the Department of Training and Workforce Development. Through this program, the state government of WA is heavily subsidising VET training courses in job growth areas and industry sectors that play an important role in diversifying the economy of WA.
Learn morePopular government funded courses
Enquire with a course provider to confirm availability of funded places and eligibility requirements.
Certificate IV in Mental Health
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Certificate III in Pathology Collection
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Southern Cross Education Institute
Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Diploma of Community Services
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Diploma of Nursing
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Southern Cross Education Institute
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Certificate IV in Community Services
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Diploma of Leadership and Management
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Engineering Institute of Technology
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Certificate IV in Youth Work
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Australian Workplace Training
Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building)
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Salford College
Certificate III in Horticulture
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Ironwood Institute
Certificate IV in Information Technology (Programming)
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Academy IT
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability)
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Australian Workplace Training
Certificate IV in Building and Construction
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Salford College
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
The Suzan Johnston Organization
Certificate IV in Disability Support
- Completed Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) or equivalent qualifications OR
- Completion of CHC30408 Certificate III in Disability PLUS the CHCSS00125 Entry to Certificate IV in Disability Support Skill Set.
Diploma of Beauty Therapy
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Colour Cosmetica Academy
Certificate IV in Information Technology (Networking)
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Academy IT
