A helpful guide on government funded courses

At Selmar we believe in minimising barriers to education. So, we’ve put together a helpful guide of everything you need to know about government funding so you can get started on your learning journey with ease!

 

What is government funded training?

Firstly, it’s worth going over exactly what we mean by ‘government funded training’.

State and federal governments subsidise some TAFE and training courses to make it easier for people to access and pay for them. This means that the government provides money to training providers to deliver approved courses based on current or projected demand.

Across Australian sectors like aged care and early childhood education and care face unprecedented demand for skilled workers. Subsidising courses means ensuring there are enough qualified and compassionate workers to care for the oldest and youngest, and often most vulnerable people in our communities.

If you’re interested in commencing study and it is an area of demand such as aged care or early childhood education and care, you may be able to access funding.

How does funding benefit individual learners?

 

 

Funding and subsidies can make studying more accessible for those facing financial challenges. All courses have set tuition fees (the amount you contribute towards the total cost of your course) and are lower when choosing a subsidised course.

Reducing costs associated with tuition fees removes the barrier many people face to learning. It means you can begin studying sooner, which in turn creates a faster route to getting qualified and finding meaningful employment.

Access a range of funding

When deciding on what course you’d like to enrol in, naturally you’ll want to know how much it costs and whether it’s subsidised.

At Selmar we provide a range of funding and payment options for our aged care and early childhood education and care courses. The type of funding will depend on the course and the state you’ll be studying in.

Government funding in Victoria

 

 

In Victoria, funding is provided by the Victorian Government and is known as the Skills First Program. Aged care and early childhood education and care courses are in very high demand and subsidised by Skills First.

Who is eligible?

In most cases you will be eligible for Skills First funding if you:

• Are present in Victoria to undertake the qualification; and
• Are an Australian citizen, permanent resident of New Zealand citizen; and
• Only commence a maximum of 2 government subsidised courses in a year; and
• Only undertake a maximum of 2 government subsidised courses at any one time; and
• Only commence a maximum of 2 government subsidised courses at the same level within the AQF in your lifetime; and
• Meet one of the following requirements:
  • Are under 20 years of age; or
  • Are over 20 and ‘upskilling’ by enrolling in a course at a higher level than your existing qualifications

You can check if your Selmar course is covered and how much you’ll be paying here.

Government funding in NSW

 

 

Subsidised training is available to eligible individuals through the Smart and Skilled Program offered by the New South Wales Government.

Who is eligible?

In most cases you will be eligible for Smart and Skilled funding if you:

• Are 15 years or older
• Are no longer at school
• Live or work in New South Wales
• Are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen.

You can find out more about it here.

What funded courses can I study at Selmar?

Selmar is able to provide eligible learners with access to funding for the following courses:

Aged Care

CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support (VIC & NSW)

CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support (VIC & NSW)

CHC43415 Certificate IV in Leisure and Health (VIC only)

CHC62015 Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management (VIC only)

Check out our aged courses here for detailed course information.

Early Childhood Education and Care

 

CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (VIC & NSW)

CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (VIC & NSW)

CHC62015 Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management (VIC only)

Check out our early childhood courses here for detailed course information.

Access funding in 5 easy steps

If you’re finding all this information hard to take in, don’t worry. We are here to help! It’s pretty easy to access funding and it boils down to 5 simple steps.

Step 1: Enquire to receive a call back from our friendly team.

Step 2: Speak to a course advisor about your chosen course, your individual situation and any concerns you have about fees and payment

Step 3: Check the eligibility requirements to make sure you meet the necessary criteria. Your course advisor can assist with this or check the relevant government website link below:

• Check your eligibility for Skills First
• Check your eligibility for Smart and Skilled

Step 4: Submit your course application once you’ve got everything organised.

Step 5: Start studying and working towards your rewarding career!

What if I’m not eligible?

 

 

Not all individuals will be eligible for government funding, but don’t let that stop you! We also have interest free payment plans for those not eligible so you can get on the path towards achieving your career goals sooner!

We’re here for you!

Remember, there’s no need to feel overwhelmed. The point of financial assistance, whether it’s provided by the government or your chosen RTO, is to make it as smooth as possible for learners to enrol in their chosen course.

We are here to make the process smooth and enjoyable. Follow the steps listed above and don’t forget to check in if you have questions about courses and funding. A helpful member of the Selmar team is never far away.