Funding NSW
Smart and Skilled
Smart and Skilled provides Government subsidised training to provide eligible individual with an opportunity to gain the skills they need to get a job and advance their careers. Under Smart and Skilled the NSW Government contributes to the cost of each course with the student paying the balance.
Eligibility
You are eligible for Smart and Skilled Funding if you are:
- 15 years old or over, and
- no longer at school, and
- living or working in NSW (or an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person living in specific NSW border areas), and
- an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen
- or are a NSW apprentice or trainee.
For more on the Program visit the Smart and Skilled website or the Vocational Education & Training page.
Eligible qualifications
Entitlement Full Qualifications
- FSK10219 Certificate I in Skills for Vocational Pathways
- FSK20119 Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways
- BSB30120 Certificate III in Business
- CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support
Targeted Priorities Full Qualifications
- CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support
- CHC43415 Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
- CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support
- BSB50120 Diploma of Business
- BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management
Traineeships remain fee free under NSW Fee Free for eligible Northern Rivers students. This training is subsidised by the New South Wales Government.
NSW FEE FREE TRAINING
GIVING PEOPLE THE SKILLS BUSINESSES NEED
NSW Fee Free improves access to training, including for young people, job seekers, First Nations People, unpaid carers, women undertaking study in non-traditional trades and certain categories of visa holders.
Access to NSW Fee Free places is limited and is subject to:
- availability of NSW Fee Free places
- meeting the student eligibility requirements below.
NSW Fee Free enrolments for Semester 1, January to June 2027 are now open, training will commence from 1 January 2027 for all eligible students.
For further information on what courses are available please visit Skills NSW.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
People who meet Smart and Skilled eligibility criteria and are undertaking a NSW Fee Fee priority course may be eligible for a fee free place. The Smart and Skilled eligibility criteria:
- 15 years old or over
- no longer at school
- living or working in NSW
- an Australian citizen, permanent resident, humanitarian visa holder, or New Zealand citizen.
Please note that NSW Fee Free places are limited and a fee free place is not guaranteed. When enquiring with a training provider please ensure you have all the information needed to help you make a decision, including asking about the timeframe for confirming whether a Fee Free place is available to you and what the qualification fee is if a Fee Free place is not available.
NATIONALLY RECOGNISED TRAINING COURSES AVAILABLE:
Full qualifications available at ACE Community Colleges, under NSW Fee Free training are:
- CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support
- CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support
- CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support
- CHC43415 Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
- HLT23221 Certificate II in Health Support Services
All students seeking to enrol in the NSW Fee Free training are required to contact ACE Community Colleges Lismore on 02 6622 1903 or Murwillumbah 02 6672 6005 to discuss your eligibility, allocation availability and training preferences. More information on the NSW Fee Free training can be found here. Training in priority qualifications is fee free and fully funded by the NSW and Commonwealth governments.
ADULT AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION (ACE) PROGRAM
Adult and Community Education (ACE) Funding is part of the NSW Government’s Smart & Skilled training reform. Funding under ACE Program is provided by the NSW Government to assist learners who need extra support or assistance with reading, writing and numeracy. Eligible learners include:
- Australian citizens / permanent residents or humanitarian visa holders who have very low literacy, language and numeracy levels
- people with limited employability skills
- people who are unemployed or underemployed
- students with a disability
- students who are commonwealth welfare recipients
- young disadvantaged students who need assistance transitioning to further study
- people who have other barriers to Smart and Skilled entitlement
Training can be provided in a range of areas including:
- Foundation Skills and Job Skills Training
- Community Services
- Aged Care
- Business
- Digital Technology
- Aboriginal Driver Training
ACE Community Colleges is an approved Smart and Skilled provider of these courses: Business and Work Skills, Aged Care and Community Services, Disability Programs, English Language, First Aid, IT and Computer Training, Short Courses.
All students enrolling in these courses are required to read the Subsidised Training Face Sheet and Declaration.
ABORIGINAL PROGRAMMES
ACE Community Colleges has maintained strong links with local Aboriginal Communities over many years. We are dedicated to improving outcomes for Aboriginal people through educational programs, in particular through assisting Aboriginal people gain their driver’s licence, which can open the door to many new employment, study and life opportunities.
Go here for more on the Aboriginal Driver Education Program. Students enrolling in Driver Education programmes are required to read the TfNSW Privacy Statement.
NON ACCREDITED TRAINING
Non accredited training is full fee only.
Download the ACE Community Colleges Student Handbook to read more about funding possibilities, eligibility and associated criteria in your state.
Go here for your copy of the Student Handbook.
