JobTrainer explained: what is it and who can access it

The JobTrainer government funding initiative has been extended until 31 December, with the Australian Government committing $500 million.

In 2020, the COVID-19 economic response from the government first introduced us to JobKeeper and JobSeeker, then JobMaker, and finally Jobtrainer. With such a successful response to Jobtrainer, the extension of the initiative will support about 463 000 training places nationally.

If you’re finding it hard to keep up with what’s what and who can access it, you’re not alone. This article looks at JobTrainer, including what is on offer, when it is available from and who is eligible to benefit from it.

What is JobTrainer?

JobTrainer focuses on getting young Australians aged between 17 – 24 years old and those of any age who are employed equipped with skills, qualifications and careers. The funding initiatives sees the federal and state governments teaming up to subsidise training costs, enabling eligible individuals to take on further study with either low-fee or no fee at all.

The JobTrainer funding will cover accredited certificates, diplomas and skill sets as per an agreed list of qualifications which have been chosen due to their anticipated employment growth. By doing this, those who train under the JobTrainer funding initiative have a better chance of gaining qualifications in a role that will have excellent job prospects now and in the future.

There are prioritised qualifications listed on the Jobtrainer Funded Programs Report that allows students previously unable to access Jobtrainer funding, now eligible. Please refer to courses listed later in this article for more information.

Training places under JobTrainer are available now, meaning eligible individuals can already access the free or low-fee training in areas that have been identified as in need of skilled workers. Sectors like healthcare, aged care and early childhood education are included, requiring individuals who have pursued high quality training to meet demand. Courses in these areas can be accessed through selected RTOs (Registered Training Organisations), including here at Selmar.

Who does JobTrainer benefit?

If you are a younger person, older and a job seeker, have just left school or requiring new skills for re-employment, taking advantage of JobTrainer is a great opportunity to make a start toward a career in a booming sector.

You may be able to access a free or low-fee course via JobTrainer if you:

• Has not already completed an AQF qualification under JobTrainer previously
• Are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, New Zealand citizen or asylum seeker, and
• You are between 17 and 24 years old when your course commences
• You are a job seeker of any age. A job seeker is defined as a person who holds a current Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card or Veteran’s Gold Card or is unemployed; or
• Enrolling into a priority program listed in the JobTrainer Funded Program Report.

And don’t be put off if you weren’t eligible for previous Government funding. This doesn’t mean that you won’t fulfil the criteria to be eligible for JobTrainer — even if you have previous qualifications. JobTrainer does not have the ‘two at a level in a lifetime’ limit like other funding initiatives.

For example, if you have already completed a VET certificate as part of your secondary schooling, or a school-based traineeship you may still be eligible to undertake further study with the support of JobTrainer. There are also no upskilling requirements, so it could be the right time to pursue an entirely fresh career.

Take a look at the full eligibility document here, but feel free to contact our team to discuss whether JobTrainer might benefit you.

As well as benefitting school-leavers and those who are currently unemployed, JobTrainer funding offers subsidies that cover half of the wage of eligible trainees to the workplaces who employ them. Importantly, employers do not need to have reduced turnover in their business to be eligible, unlike JobKeeper, and the subsidy is available to workplaces with up to 200 employees. These subsidies encourage businesses to employ and retain more trainees and shape a highly skilled workforce.

What courses are included under JobTrainer?

With JobTrainer backing you, you can pursue a meaningful career in early childhood education, helping to give children the very best start in life. Alternatively, you may explore a fulfilling career in aged care, supporting some of our community’s most vulnerable individuals to maintain their quality of life as they get older.

If you are keen to earn and learn at the same time, a traineeship could be the way to go — this means you can study while working, learning on the job and applying your theory as you proceed through your chosen qualification.

There are online study options available for courses too, meaning you can adapt your training to your existing commitments. Practical placement is also included within your course requirements to ensure you gain the confidence and capabilities required to succeed in your chosen field regardless of the delivery mode you choose.

Course options include:

Early childhood education and care

• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121): Perfect to get you started in a career as an early childhood educator, with ample room to grow and progress in this meaningful sector.
• Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50121): Strive toward a career as a Room Leader in early childhood services or kindergarten and even a Centre Director position with the Diploma. There’s also a university pathway to a Bachelor Degree in Education (Early Childhood Teaching or Early Childhood and Primary Teaching) with Swinburne Online.

Aged care

• Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33015): Become a personal care worker, a residential care worker or home care assistant and experience a career that empowers senior individuals to maintain independence and dignity as they grow older.
• Certificate IV in Ageing Support (CHC43015): A program coordinator role, care supervisor or community support worker role is a fulfilling position in the booming aged care sector, delivering essential care to those who need it most.
• Certificate IV in Leisure and Health (CHC43415): Create lifestyle programs to give elderly individuals experiences that maximise outcomes and quality of life.
• Certificate IV in Disability (CHC43115): Empower people with disabilities to achieve greater levels of independence, self-reliance, community participation and wellbeing.

Seek out a meaningful career supported by JobTrainer

In aged care and early childhood education you can pursue a career that enables you to make a valuable difference to the lives of others each and every day. With the support of JobTrainer funding and our supportive trainers, your career starts at Selmar.

To see if you are eligible for this funding, chat to one of our friendly team members today.