New South Wales - Smart and Skilled

The NSW Government program, Smart and Skilled, helps people get qualifications in in-demand skills and industries. It’s a key part of the NSW vocational education and training system and provides subsidised training to eligible students in:

  • 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.

NSW Smart & Skilled Logo

Smart and Skilled

It is a requirement of the Smart and Skilled Programs, that each student completes a declaration providing consent for Alan Bartlett consulting, trading as ABC Training and Consulting to use and disclose personal information to the Department of Industry, Skills and Regional Development and other government agencies. This declaration is obtained during the enrolment process.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Smart and Skilled program a student must meet the following criteria:

  • Live or work in NSW (determined by postcode of the usual place of residence or place of work); or is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student who does not live or work in NSW but lives in specific defined interstate NSW border areas;

  • Is an Australian or New Zealand Citizen or Permanent resident or a humanitarian visa holder or a partner visa holder whose sponsor is a humanitarian visa holder; and is aged 15 years or over and no longer attending secondary school – except for registered home school students; and

  • Has a valid Unique Student Identifier (USI).

Furthermore, to be eligible for a Smart and Skilled Entitlement Apprenticeships and Traineeships (EAT) program, an apprentice or trainee must meet the following criteria:

  • At time of commencement is an NSW Apprentice or New Entrant Trainee and has an approved Training Contract in NSW;

  • 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.

Funded courses under Smart and Skilled

Under Smart and Skilled, a student contributes towards the cost of training through the payment of a co-contribution student fee. Fees are:

  • Set for the whole qualification.

  • Lower for students doing their first post-school qualification.

  • Set for the student and the qualification regardless of the provider you choose.

Entitlement Full Qualification (EFQ) Program

Qualification Code and Name

HLT37215 Certificate III in Pathology Collection

MSL30122 Certificate III in Laboratory Skills

1st Qualification Fee

$ 2,680

$ 1,450

2nd Qualification Fee

$ 3,220

$ 1,750

Concession Fee

$ 240

$ 240

Targeted Priorities Full Qualifications (TPFQ) Program

Qualification Code and Name

MSL40122 Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques

MSL50122 Diploma of Laboratory Technology

BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management

1st Qualification Fee

$ 3,280

$ 5,120

$ 2,530

2nd Qualification Fee

$ 3,820

$ 5,750

$ 2,850

Concession Fee

$ 240

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Entitlement Apprenticeships and Traineeships (EAT)

Qualification Code and Name

1st Qualification Fee

2nd Qualification Fee

Concession Fee

HLT37215 Certificate III in Pathology Collection

MSL30122 Certificate III in Laboratory Skills

MSL40122 Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques

MSL50122 Diploma of Laboratory Technology

MSM30318 Certificate III in Manufactured Mineral Products

This training is fee free and fully subsidised by the NSW Government.

* Eligibility Applies

Funded courses under Smart and Skilled

A concessional fee will apply for students who are receiving a Commonwealth Government benefit or allowance at the time of enrolment or, are named on these cards for a partner or dependent.

Students who meet the full exemption criteria will not be charged any co-contribution fees and therefore be entitled to fee free training. Students must meet one or more of the following:

  • An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person

  • A student with a disability

  • A dependent child, spouse or partner of a recipient of a Disability Support Pension

  • A refugee or asylum seeker (and eligible partners) – for training up to and including Certificate IV

  • A recipient of a Fee-Free Scholarship - for training up to and including Certificate IV who meet additional eligibility criteria.

*Students who are deemed eligible for a concession/exemption will need to supply sufficient evidence at enrolment.

State Funding

Government funding and subsidy programs are available across Australia to support skills development, and nationally recognised training.

Whether you're an individual looking to upskill or an organisation seeking to train your workforce, there may be funding opportunities available to help reduce the cost of training.

Select your state or territory below to explore available funding programs, eligibility requirements, priority qualifications and the latest funding information relevant to your region.

Not sure where to start?

Our team can help you understand available funding options and identify the most suitable training pathways for your organisation or career goals.

Select your state below to get started.

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Ask us today.

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