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Funding & fees

New South Wales

Smart and Skilled

Smart and Skilled is a NSW Government program that helps people get qualifications in in-demand skills and industries. It’s a key part of the NSW vocational education and training system.  

Smart and Skilled gives eligible students: 

  • an entitlement to government-subsidised training up to and including Certificate III 
  • government funding for higher-level courses (Certificate IV and above) in targeted priority areas. 

Entitlement Apprenticeships and Traineeships Program

Eligibility

A person who is eligible to receive Subsidised Training in the Smart and Skilled Entitlement Apprenticeships and Traineeships Program is a person who:

  • At the time of commencement, is a NSW Apprentice or New Entrant Trainee and has an approved Training Contract in NSW, and
  • The qualification that is being undertaken is on the NSW Skills List, and
  • The qualification that is being undertaken is shown on their Training Contract.

Fee and Charges

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship fees apply to NSW Apprentices undertaking training in a qualification offered on the NSW Skills List as part of an apprenticeship pathway that supports their apprenticeship.

 

NSW apprentices who are funded under Smart and Skilled, and who commence subsidised training on or after 1 July 2018 will be fully funded by NSW government for their apprenticeship qualification. Please contact the RTO for further information and eligibility requirements.

For apprentices who are not eligible for the above, the qualification delivered to an apprentice under an apprenticeship pathway is capped at $2,000.

Traineeship

Traineeship fees apply to NSW New Entrant Trainees undertaking training in a qualification offered on the NSW Skills List as part of a traineeship pathway that supports their traineeship.

NSW trainees who are funded under Smart and Skilled and commence subsidised training on or after 1 January 2020 will be fully funded by NSW government for their traineeship qualification. Please contact the RTO for further information and eligibility requirements.

For trainees who are not eligible for the above, the qualification delivered to a trainee under a traineeship pathway is capped at $1,000.

Smart and Skilled Entitlement Apprenticeships and Traineeships Program

Qualification Code

Qualification name

CPC30220

Certificate III in Carpentry

CPC30320

Certificate III in Concreting

CPC31420

Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing

CPC31220

Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining

CPC31320

Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling

This training is subsided by the NSW government.

Useful links for more information

Queensland

User Choice

The User Choice program provides a public funding contribution towards the cost of training and assessment for eligible Queensland apprentices and trainees. The program aims to provide funding aligned to the skills needs of industry and respond to changing government priorities.

How does the program work?

This program provides the flexibility for apprentices, trainees and their employers to select a preferred registered training organisation (RTO) from a list of Skills Assure Suppliers (SAS) for the delivery of nationally recognised, accredited training to meet their specific needs. The program works in conjunction with the Commonwealth Australian Apprenticeships system, under which apprentices and trainees (also known in some jurisdictions as “Australian Apprentices”) enter into legally binding training contracts with their employers and receive structured training to achieve a nationally recognised qualification.

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive subsidised training under the User Choice program you must:

  • be employed in an approved apprenticeship or traineeship
  • have entered a training contract for a qualification funded by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT)]
  • be registered on DELTA with a commencement date or recommencement date on or after 1 July 2021
  • select a training provider that holds SAS status for your nominated qualification

Student Co-contribution fee

Student Co-contribution Fees are an apprentice’s contribution to the cost of tuition. As an apprentice under the User Choice funding program, it is mandatory to pay Student co-contribution Fees. Student co-contribution Fees are currently set at $1.60 per nominal hour for each unit of competency [as set by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT)]. These fees may change at the discretion of the Department. The apprentice’s employer may pay the student co-contribution fee on behalf of the apprentice.

Apprentices may be eligible for a partial or full exemption from these fees if they provide evidence, they are eligible for concession – please get in touch to find out more.

Partial Exemption – Tuition Fee (apprentice must pay 40% of Student Contribution Fee)

  • If you are or will be under 17 at the end of February in the year training is provided, and you are not at school and did not complete year 12;
  • If you hold a health care card or pensioner card issued under Commonwealth law, or are the partner or dependent of a person who holds a health care card or pensioner concession card, and are named on the card;
  • If you have an official form under Commonwealth law confirming that you, your partner or the person of whom you are a dependent, is entitled to concessions under a health care card or pensioner concession card; or
  • If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person

Full Exemption – Tuition Fee

  • If you would be caused extreme financial hardship, you may be exempt from the Co-contribution fees;
  • If you are a school-based apprentice;
  • If you are undertaking a qualification as part of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work – Work Skills Traineeship program.
  • Specific business rules aligned to the suite of fee-free training programs offered by the Department since 1 January 2014 and inclusive of current programs targeting apprentices aged 25 years and under.

Student contribution fees apply for all units of competency (including any which are achieved by recognition of prior learning) unless you have previously achieved the unit of competency (either the same unit(s) name and code or deemed equivalent) and provide a Statement of Attainment as evidence.

Student contribution fees are payable prior to commencing training in the unit of competency. You may apply for exemption at any time for fees that have not yet been charged.

Free apprenticeships for under 21s and under 25s

Free apprenticeships for under 21s

To be eligible, an apprentice or trainee must be under 21 years of age and commence in a Training Contract on or after 1 July 2019 in a designated Free apprenticeship qualification specified on the department’s User Choice Price List. Other eligible apprentices or trainees are those:

  • enrolled in a qualification under the Year 12 Fee Free initiative prior to 1 July 2019 and will continue their qualification under Free apprenticeships.
  • under 21 years of age from 30 June 2019 and commenced in a Training Contract prior to 1 July 2019 in a designated Free apprenticeship qualification. Free apprenticeships will apply to units of competency/modules commencing on or after 1 July 2019.

Free apprenticeships for under 25s

To be eligible, an apprentice or trainee must be aged between 21 years and under 25 years of age and commence in a Training Contract on or after 1 January 2021 in a designated Free apprenticeship qualification specified on the department’s User Choice Price List. Other eligible apprentices or trainees are those:

  • aged between 21 years and under 25 years from 31 December 2020 and commenced in a Training Contract prior to 1 January 2021 in a designated Free apprenticeship qualification. Free apprenticeships will apply to units of competency/modules commencing on or after 1 January 2021. These apprentices must also not be claiming under the Free apprenticeships for under 21s initiative.

Refunds

  • A full refund will be paid to apprentices for Student Co-Contribution Fees charged for training delivery that has not commenced at the time of the cancellation of enrolment.
  • Where an apprentice has withdrawn from a Unit of Competency and training has commenced, a refund will not apply.

 

Useful links for more information

Certificate 3 Guarantee

The Certificate 3 Guarantee supports eligible individuals to complete their first post-school certificate III level qualification and increase their skills to move into employment, re-enter the workforce or advance their career. 

Once a certificate III level qualification or higher-level qualification is completed post school participants will no longer be eligible for a subsidised training place under the Certificate 3 Guarantee program. For more information see the Queensland Government Certificate 3 Guarantee student factsheet. 


Eligibility

To be eligible for the Certificate 3 Guarantee you must meet the following criteria: 

  • be a Queensland resident 
  • be aged 15 years or over, and no longer at school (with the exception of VET in Schools students) 
  • be 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 
  • not hold, or be enrolled in, a certificate III level or higher qualification (not including qualifications completed at school and foundation skills training). 

Student Co-contribution fee
 
Certificate 3 Guarantee 
Qualification Code Qualification name Number of Units 

Co-contribution fee  

(Non – Concessional) 

Co-contribution fee  

(Concessional) 

CPC30320 Certificate III in Concreting 22 

$1,100.00 

($50.00 per unit) 

$660.00 

($30.00 per unit) 

CPC10120  Certificate I in Construction  11 

$110.00  

($10.00 per unit) 

$44.00  

($4.00 per unit) 

 Useful links for more information 

VET IN SCHOOLS (VETIS)

Vocational education and training (VET) courses are available to students while they are still at school. This is often referred to as VETiS.

VET is learning which is directly related to work. Nationally recognised qualifications are developed by industry to give people the knowledge and skills they need to work in a particular job.

You can undertake VET at school:

  • as part of your school studies—delivered and resourced by a school registered training organisation.
  • by enrolling in a qualification with an external registered training organisation – funded either by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training’s VET investment budget or through fee-for-service arrangements (i.e. where the student or parent pays for the qualification).
  • as a school-based apprentice or trainee.

 

Eligibility

To be eligible to access a VETiS qualification funded by the Queensland Government, prospective students must:

  • Be currently enrolled in secondary school, in Year 10, 11 or 12;
  • Permanently reside in Queensland;
  • Be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident (includes humanitarian entrant), temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residence, or a New Zealand citizen
  • Have not previously accessed VETiS funding

 

Student Co-contribution fee

Under the VETiS program, the training provided is fee-free to school students and additional costs are met by the school.

 

VETiS

Qualification Code 

Qualification name 

Number of Units 

Co-contribution fee  

(Non – Concessional) 

Co-contribution fee  

(Concessional) 

CPC10120 

Certificate I in Construction

11

$0 ($0 per unit)

$0 ($0 per unit)

 

Refunds

VET in Schools (VETIS) who withdraw from training, which is funded under QLD funding initiative, and did not pay any fees, will not receive a refund.

 

Useful links for more information

Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) Funding

If you’re currently working or have experience in the Queensland building and construction industry, you may be able to study courses subsidised by Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ). CSQ is an independent industry-funded body supporting employers, workers, apprentices, and career seekers in the building and construction industry.

How does the program work?

CSQ provides funding to reduce the financial obstacle to training, making upskilling an affordable option for many more individuals in the building and construction industry.

Through its Training Plan, Construction Skills Queensland will provide Funding to the RTO for Training and Assessment Services in the Program

Skills Assessment and Gap Training

The Skills Assessment and Gap Training (SAGT) program provides a pathway for eligible students with significant industry experience to have their skills recognised and receive the gap training required to achieve a nationally recognised qualification.

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, participants must be eligible workers or unemployed eligible workers in the civil construction or building and construction industries in Queensland who are one of the following:

  • An Australian or New Zealand citizen
  • A permanent resident of Australia
  • A visa holder with the right to work in Australia (excluding international student visa holders)

AND MUST NOT BE:

  • an Employee of an Authority (Employees of Local Councils are acceptable);
  • currently enrolled and participating in a Queensland secondary school program (school-based Apprentices or Trainees are acceptable);
  • a contracted trainer or assessor or existing worker of an RTO;
  • funded by an Authority or such other source for delivery of the same Training being undertaken as part of this Program;
  • those Participants seeking a Verification of Competency (or Determination of Competency) services under this Agreement.

Eligible workers must be employed in Queensland. Participants must be able to demonstrate Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) experience in 70% or more of the competencies required to complete the full qualification.

A participant must undertake a minimum of two (2) gap training competencies and a maximum of ten (10). Additional eligibility requirements may apply.

Eligible workers must be employed in Queensland. Additional eligibility requirements may apply. Please contact Everthought Education for more information. The Skills Assessment and Gap Training program is an initiative of Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ). Eligibility criteria applies to all CSQ funded programs.

Higher qualifications program

The higher qualifications program helps existing workers in the building and construction industry to progress their career or those who are unemployed to gain new skills to get a new start. Certificate IV and higher-level vocational training qualifications are available under this program. Current and recently completed apprentices and trainees may also be eligible for this program.

To be eligible for funding, participants must be eligible workers (including relevant clerical, administration and professional staff), an eligible apprentice or trainee (who has completed at least 50% of their training) or unemployed eligible workers (i.e. unemployed for four years or less) in the civil construction or building and construction industries in Queensland who are one of the following:

  • An Australian or New Zealand citizen
  • A permanent resident of Australia
  • A visa holder with the right to work in Australia (excluding international student visa holders)

AND MUST NOT BE:

  • an Employee of an Authority (Employees of Local Councils are acceptable);
  • currently enrolled and participating in a Queensland secondary school program (school-based Apprentices or Trainees are acceptable);
  • a contracted trainer or assessor or existing worker of an RTO;
  • funded by an Authority or such other source for delivery of the same Training being undertaken as part of this Program;
  • those Participants seeking a Verification of Competency (or Determination of Competency) services under this Agreement.

Eligible workers must be employed in Queensland. Additional eligibility requirements may apply. Please contact Everthought Education for more information. The Higher Qualifications program is an initiative of Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ). Eligibility criteria applies to all CSQ funded programs.

Funding and Student Contribution fee

 Higher qualifications program
Unit CodeUnit nameUnits FundedCSQ Contribution per Unit

Max. Funding per

Qualification

Student Contribution

Per Qualification

CPC40120Certificate IV in Building and Construction19$298.42$5,670.00$500.00
CPC50220

Diploma of Building and

Construction (Building)

27$383.04$10,342.00$500.00
CPC50320

Diploma of Building and

Construction (Management)

15$338.80$5,082.00$500.00
CPC60220

Advanced Diploma of

Building and Construction

(Management)

10$446.50$4,465.00$500.00
Skills Assessment and Gap Training
Unit CodeUnit nameCSQ ContributionStudent Contribution per Qualification
Skill assessment per QualificationGap training per unit
AHC30921Certificate III in Landscape Construction$1,500.00$400.00$500.00
CPC30220Certificate III in Carpentry$1,500.00$400.00$500.00
CPC30320Certificate III in Concreting$1,500.00$400.00$500.00
CPC30620Certificate III in Painting and Decorating$1,500.00$400.00$500.00
CPC31220Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining$1,500.00$400.00$500.00
CPC31320Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling$1,500.00$400.00$500.00
CPC31420Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing$1,500.00$400.00$500.00
CPC33020Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying$1,500.00$400.00$500.00
MSF31113Certificate III in Cabinet Making$1,500.00$400.00$500.00

 

Refunds

  • A full refund will be paid to a student for Student Co-Contribution Fees charged for training delivery that has not commenced at the time of the cancellation of enrolment.
  • When a student has withdrawn from a Unit of Competency and training has commenced, a refund will not apply.

 

Useful links for more information

 

 

Western Australia

Apprenticeship and Traineeship

JSWA        Lower Fees Local Skills logo

Students in Western Australia wishing to enrol into an apprenticeship or traineeship pathway may be eligible for funding under the Western Australia Department of Training and Workforce Development’s Apprenticeship Office. The Office registers and administers training contracts and regulates the apprenticeship system in Western Australia, in accordance with Part 7 of the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996 (the Act) and the associated Regulations.

The apprenticeship/traineeship training contract

A training contract is a legally binding agreement between the employer and the apprentice or trainee. In signing the training contract, both parties are bound by certain obligations expressed in the contract. The training contract sets out the terms of the apprenticeship or traineeship, which are agreed to by both the employer and the apprentice or trainee, such as:

  • the qualification the apprentice or trainee is working towards
  • the nominal term of the apprenticeship or traineeship
  • the number of hours in training and employment provided each week
  • arrangements for on and off the job training.

Eligibility

A person wishing to undertake apprenticeship/traineeship training:

  • should be at least 15 years of age;
  • must be an Australian citizen or hold an Australian visa that will support the employment and study arrangements specified in the training contract; and
  • must be in or entering part time or full-time employment with an employer (rather than being a casual employee or self-employed).

For more information/any exceptions on eligibility please contact Everthought College of Construction.

Fee and Charges

Fees and charges for students undertaking publicly funded vocational education and training (VET) in Western Australia will be collected in accordance with the provisions of the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996, Vocational Education and Training (Colleges) Regulations 1996.

Qualification Name 

Indicative fees* 

+Reduced Fee – Concession 

+Reduced Fee – Non-Concession 

Certificate III in Carpentry 

$400.00 (Maximum)* 

$1200.00 (Maximum)*  

Certificate III in Painting and Decorating 

$400.00 (Maximum)* 

$1200.00 (Maximum)*

Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling 

$384.12 

$1200.00 (Maximum)*

Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying 

$365.69 

$1200.00 (Maximum)*

*The student tuition fees are indicative only and are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are approximate totals and may vary based on units selected within qualification.

+REDUCED COURSE FEES — LOWER FEES, LOCAL SKILLS!

DTWD requires students receiving funding under the Lower Fees and Local Skills program to contribute towards the cost of their course/training. The fee may be paid on the student’s behalf by a third party (but not by ECOC). Where the student is required to pay fees personally, they will be given an itemised invoice.

The maximum course fee for non-concession students undertaking a Lower Fees and Local Skills course in 2023 is $1,200. For concession students and youth, the maximum course fee for undertaking a Lower Fees and Local Skills course in 2023 is $400, if you’re aged 15—24 and have left school or eligible for a concession. Additional fees may apply such as resource fees.

#CONCESSIONS ON COURSES

Eligibility for the concession rate on course fees is determined at the time of enrolment. The following students are entitled to the concession rate on course fees.

  • Persons and dependants of persons holding:
  • a Pensioner Concession Card;
  • a Repatriation Health Benefits Card issued by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs; or
  • a Health Care Card.
  • Persons and dependants of persons in receipt of services from the following Commonwealth support or employment services programs:
  • Workforce Australia; or
  • Persons and dependants of persons in receipt of AUSTUDY or ABSTUDY.
  • Persons and dependants of persons in receipt of the Youth Allowance.
  • Persons and dependants of persons who are inmates of a custodial institution.
  • Secondary school-aged persons, not enrolled at school.

For the Workforce Australia, or the ParentsNext program, appropriate evidence of a student’s eligibility for concession is a letter from the Commonwealth services provider confirming the student’s participation in the program. If the concession is valid for the full enrolment period, then all eligible units the student enrols in within that period attract the concession rate. If the concession is valid for part of the enrolment period, then only eligible units the student enrols in on or after the start date and prior to the expiry of the concession attract the concession rate.

Students undertaking an Apprenticeship or Traineeship with DTWD will need to pay their fees up-front, or by instalments. Students who wish to pay by instalments will be given a minimum of eight weeks from the commencement of a unit to finalise their payments, and collection will be dealt with as per normal procedure for all students.

Everthought College of Construction may waive all fees and charges for students that we assess as being in severe financial hardship for courses below diploma level and concession-eligible Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses. Whether a student is in severe financial hardship is to be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Refunds

Full Refunds

Students are entitled to a full refund of the applicable course fee, resource fee and other fees where:

  • A unit is cancelled or rescheduled to a time unsuitability to the students;
  • A student is not given a place due to maximum number of places being reached; or
  • Due to any other circumstances caused by RTO.

Part Refunds

Students can apply for part refund, – Everthought College of Construction sets the withdrawal date for each unit of competency (no less than 20% of the way through the time when the unit is undertaken).

Students who withdraw for reasons other than those outlined in full refund and who lodge a withdrawal form before the census/withdrawal date for a unit will be eligible for a full refund of the course fee for the unit; and

  • a full refund of the resource fee if the course is a Diploma or Advanced Diploma course; or
  • 50% of the resource fee if the course is below Diploma level.

Pro Rata Refunds

Students can apply for a pro rata refund of fees and charges at any time during the course of delivery if the student withdraws for reasons of personal circumstances beyond their control.

For example:

  • serious illness resulting in extended absence from classes;
  • injury or disability that prevents the student from completing their program of study; or
  • other exceptional reasons at the discretion of the accountable officer

Useful links for more information

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