NSW Smart and Skilled Funded Training

This training is subsidised by the NSW Government

If you live or work in NSW you have the opportunity to access a subsidised training course under NSW Smart and Skilled.

Smart and Skilled government subsidised training makes gaining your qualification affordable and achievable. The majority of course costs are funded by the NSW Government – and you can reserve your Smart and Skilled government funded training place now.

Smart and Skilled flexible eligibility rules makes subsidised training open to eligible NSW residents, regardless of employment status and the qualifications you hold.

Now is the time to take up this opportunity.  It’s time to get Smart and Skilled!

This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.

Fee-Free Traineeships
$0 Enrolment Fee for Eligible New Entrant Trainees

The standard Enrolment Fee for eligible New Entrant Trainees in NSW is $0!

You can find out which courses attract the subsidy by using the Fee Checker on the relevant course website page.

For a Traineeship not on the funding list, or not within the College funding allocation, fees will be as per the College published Employer Program price or as agreed with the client on a fee for service basis.

The fees cover the required minimum number of units to complete the qualification.

For Credit Transfers fees are reduced in accordance with Smart and Skilled rules.

Refer to the Smart and Skilled Skills List.

Updated Jan 2023

NSW Smart and Skilled Entitlement Program and Fee-Free Waivers

The NSW Smart and Skilled Entitlement program is designed to benefit learners in NSW.

Please note:  Due to funding limitations, ACCM College does not currently have any new allocations available for this program.

If you would like to be put on a waiting list, should funding become available, please write to contact@accm.edu.au

Specific Information on the Fee Free Waiver

While the NSW government has extended the fee-free waiver program until 30 June 2024, they can no longer guarantee each enrolment fee will be waived and have greatly limited the qualifications eligible for the fee free waiver.

Currently the only qualification offered by ACCM College that appear on the Fee-Free Waiver list is:

ICT30120 Certificate III in Information Technology.

If you are offered a place in this qualification, upon enrolment, ACCM College, will apply on your behalf for a fee waiver. 

If the fee waiver is not approved, you will be given the option to cancel the enrolment.

The fees, if required, for a NSW Smart and Skilled Entitlement are based on the qualification and if you have any prior qualifications. 

If you would like to be put on a waiting list, should funding become available, please write to contact@accm.edu.au

The following details are provided for information purposes only.

NSW Smart and Skilled Entitlement program NSW State initiative, providing subsidised training to obtain skills in priority and growth industries.

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be an Australian or New Zealand Citizen, Permanent Resident or Humanitarian/Refugee Visa holder
  • Live and/or work in New South Wales
  • Be 15 years of age or older
  • Be no longer in school (Secondary School)

Please contact the College on 1300 515 321 to find out more.

Smart and Skilled Eligibility and FAQs

  • Smart and Skilled eligibility

    Under the Smart and Skilled training program eligibility criteria you must be:

    • An Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen and
    • living or working in NSW (if you leave NSW ie no longer live and/or work in NSW, entitlement courses must be closed).
    • 15 years old or over and
    • no longer at school

    OR

    • you are a registered trainee in NSW

     

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who do not live or work in NSW, but live in a specific defined interstate NSW border area may also be eligible.

     

     Reviewed Jan 2023

  • What ACCM Courses are available under Smart and Skilled subsidised Training

    All of ACCM College's currently offered courses are open to you under Smart and Skilled subsidised training.

    However, places under Smart and Skilled's Entitlement program are based on available funding.

     

     

  • Fees Payable under Smart and Skilled

    For each qualification, the NSW Department of Industry has set a compulsory enrolment fee.

    The Smart and Skilled training program does however mean that you get most courses for less than half price from ACCM's College's normal fees.

    ACCM College allows you to pay the enrolment fee on a payment plan or you can pay in 2 instalments.

    Our goal is to make sure you have this once-in-a lifetime opportunity to up-skill.

    There are fee exemptions and concessions - we have this information later on.

     

    Smart and Skilled Trainees enrolment fees for 2024

    Trainees under NSW Smart and Skilled may be eligible for the Fee Free Traineeship Waiver Initiative for training commencing after 1 Jan 2020. 

    If eligible, the enrolment fee is waived to $0 under this government subsidised program.

     

    Smart and Skilled Entitlement enrolment fees for 2024

    • Certificate III $1320 - $1780
    • Certificate IV $1580 - $2310
    • Diploma $2510 - $2850

    The fee amount you pay is the same for ALL Smart and Skilled providers and is based on the qualification and your qualifications you have previously completed.

     

    Please note:  Due to funding limitations, ACCM College does not currently have any new allocations available for this program.

    Additionally, the Fee-Free Waiver program has been reduced to a limited number of qualifications.  Currently ACCM College only has one qualification on the Fee Free list; the ICT30120 Certificate III in Information Technology.

    If you would like to be put on a waiting list, should funding become available, please write to contact@accm.edu.au

  • Do I have to be employed?

    No you don't need to be employed. Nor does your employer need to know about your enrolment.

    Smart and Skilled enrolments can be done independently of your employer, and are also available if you are currently unemployed and committed to completing the course to improve your employment prospects.

  • Can I access Smart and Skilled through my employer?

    Yes – you can ask your employer to “sponsor” your enrolment in Smart and Skilled. Employers are most likely to agree where the course is of mutual benefit.

    Your employer may also ask you to enrol in a Smart and Skilled course to improve your skills. They may even agree to pay your enrolment fee.

    Note under current Smart and Skilled rules, Existing Workers registered as Trainees cannot be allocated to a Smart and Skilled place. These must be delivered on a Fee for Service basis.

  • Smart and Skilled Traineeship Program

    Trainees under NSW Smart and Skilled may be eligible for the Fee Free Traineeship Waiver Initiative for training commencing after 1 Jan 2020.  If eligible, the enrolment fee is waived to $0 under this government subsidised program. 

  • Smart and Skilled Fee Administration Policy

    Under Smart and Skilled provider guidelines we must give each student access to the Smart and Skilled Fee Administration policy before or at the time of enrolment.

    The most current Policy can be accessed at the above link.

    For School Based Trainees in NSW refer to the Smart and Skilled School Based Traineeship Fee Administration Policy.

    The most current Policy can be accessed at the above link.

    Updated/verified Jan 2023

  • NSW Skills List for Smart and Skilled Subsidised Courses

    For full details refer to the most recent NSW Skills List (note:  older version are also stored here).

    Updated Jan 2023

  • NSW Smart and Skilled Consumer Protection Strategy

    The NSW Smart and Skilled Consumer Protection Strategy defines the rights and obligations of students and consumers with respect to their training under Smart and Skilled.

    Verified Jan 2023

Concession Fees and Exemptions Under NSW Smart and Skilled

  • Commonwealth Benefit or Allowance Concessions under Smart and Skilled

    If you are receiving a Commonwealth Benefit of allowance, you and your dependents may be entitled to a concession i.e. a lower enrolment fee.

    Certificate III and Certificate IV Concession Fee = $240

    Concessions do not apply to Diploma qualifications

    The following list shows the type of welfare payments that are eligible for a concession. 

    Welfare recipients are those who receive the following Commonwealth Benefits and allowances:

    • Age Pension
    • Austudy
    • Carer Payment (See note below)
    • Disability Support Pension
    • Farm Household Allowance
    • Family Tax Benefit Part A (Maximum rate)
    • Newstart Allowance 
    • Parenting Payment (Single)
    • Special Benefit
    • Sickness Allowance
    • Veterans' Children Education Scheme
    • Veterans' Affairs Pensions
    • Widow B Pension
    • Widow Allowance
    • Wife Pension
    • Youth Allowance

     

    Please note:

    A NSW Apprentice on a Newstart Allowance is not eligible for a concession fee.

    A NSW New Entrant Trainee on a Newstart Allowance is not eligible for a concession fee.

    The Carer Payment is a specific benefit paid by the Commonwealth; this category does not include the Carer Allowance or Carer Adjustment Payment

    Source: Source: S&S FAP v 2.7 Apr 2022 – App 4

  • Fee Exemptions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students in NSW

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are exempt from fees for any Smart and Skilled subsidised courses as long as they reside in NSW or in specific regional areas along the NSW border and meet the other Smart and Skilled eligibility requirements.

  • Students with a Disability under Smart and Skilled

    Eligible students who are on a Disability Support pension are exempt from fees for any Smart and Skilled courses.

    Proof of exemption required is  a current Department of Human Services (Centrelink) Income Statement or a copy of a current Disability Support Pensioner Concession Card that has been witnessed by a JP or at the Post Office.

     

    The dependants of Disability Support pension recipients are also eligible under Smart and Skilled for fee exemption for any Smart and Skilled courses. If you are a dependent, you are also required to provide evidence from Centrelink to confirm your status.

    Other evidence options for disability exemptions include or a letter from a doctor, government agency or specialist outlining the training support needs due to the disability. The College would need to confirm these documents meet the requirements, so it is preferred that a Disability Support Pension Card is provided.

    Source: S&S FAP v2.7 April 2022 

  • Social Housing or Out-of-Home Care Status

    Concession eligible students aged between 15 and 30 may have their fees waived as a "Fee Free Scholarship".

    To be eligible, you need to live in social housing or on the NSW Housing Register (waiting list).

    Social housing includes:

    • Public housing
    • Community housing
    • Aboriginal housing, and
    • Crisis accommodation / supported accommodation
    • FAC’s funded private rental assistance (private rental subsidy, rental bond loans and tenancy guarantees)

    You may also be eligible if you are currently in out-of-home care or have been in out-of-home care previously.

    Relevant evidence may be a Rental Statement; Lease; letter from your housing agency or emergency housing facility. In circumstances where this is not possible you will be required to submit a Statutory Declaration that will be provided to you to get completed and witnessed. The College would need to confirm these documents meet the requirements.

    After you apply to enrol the College will ask you to send through the required evidence of eligibility for a concession enrolment and your ID documents to confirm your age. We will then lodge the Fee Free Scholarship application to the Department.

    If approved we will cancel your concession fees payable and refund any fees that may have already been paid.

    You are eligible for: One Fee-Free Scholarship per financial year (from 1 July 2015); A maximum of two Fee-Free Scholarships over four financial years (ending 30 June 2019)

    Source: S&S FAP v2.7 Apr 2022 – App 4

  • Smart and Skilled Fee-Free Traineeships

    Under the NSW Smart and Skilled, Trainees may be eligible for the Fee Free Traineeship Waiver Initiative.

    Click here to go to the NSW Fee Free Traineeship site.

    NSW trainees, including school based trainees, whose traineeship qualification is funded under Smart and Skilled and who commence subsidised training on or after 1 January 2020 are eligible.  This includes: 

    1.  Trainees who commence subsidised training for the first time on or after 1 January 2020.

    2.  Trainees whose traineeship is cancelled and subsequently recommence a traineeship in the same vocation with a different employer, and recommence subsidised training on or after 1 January 2020.

    3.  Trainees whose traineeship is cancelled and subsequently commence a new traineeship in a new vocation with the same/different employer, and commence in subsidised training on or after 1 January 2020

    4.  A trainee who has completed a traineeship and is undertaking a subsequent traineeship and is commencing the subsidised training in the subsequent traineeship on or after 1 Jan 2020.

    Specific trainee exclusions from eligibility

    A NSW Trainee who commenced subsidised training prior to 1 January 2020 and subsequently, on or after 1 January 2020 recommences their subsidised training:

    A) with the same provider, and is employed by the same employer and in the same vocation, or

    B) changes provider and remains party to a training contract with the same employer and in the same vocation

    Is not eligible for fee free training.

Smart and Skilled Eligibility Checker

Most people are eligible. Confirm that you are eligible to access Smart and Skilled government subsidised training.

Check Your Eligibility

Studying at ACCM College

  • Course Support that Students Rave About

    ACCM College helps you succeed in your studies by giving you the support of a dedicated team of Student Advisers with real life industry experience. You will have one dedicated Student Adviser who will personally manage your program; and the benefit of a team around them to provide expert assistance in all subject areas.

    Students actively comment about the supportiveness of their Student Advisers, in particular their skills at passing on their knowledge and making even the hardest subject easy to understand.

  • Quality Learning Materials that Receive Great Reviews

    Our step by step course materials have been written by our own industry experts to give learners the most relevant and useful information needed.

    The online resources provide industry insight and understanding by simplifying industry jargon and concepts, and focusing on current real world business practices.

    We pride ourselves on providing high quality learner resources that set our learners up for success.

    ACCM College students have the opportunity to give us immediate subject feedback and feedback to the assessor upon submission, so we always have the opportunity to become even better.

  • Access to Course Materials

    All of the course materials are accessed and completed online, allowing learners to complete subjects at a time and place that suits.

    Webclass login details are provided via email within an hour of enrolling.

    On Webclass learners can:

    • Access online learning and assessment materials 24/7
    • Submit assessments, view assessment results and assessor feedback
    • Update contact details

     

     

  • No Exams and Lots of Help

    There are no stressful exams.

    Our assessments are thorough, but are self-paced and help is only a phone call or email away.

    Activities that you are asked to do are practical and based on real life workplace experiences and needs.

    You will have a Study Timetable and we will help you keep to it so that you end up with the qualification that you deserve as quickly as is feasible.

  • Regular Contact from Us. Yes - We Call You!

    ACCM is proactive about being in touch. When you apply to enrol, our Service One team will call you immediately and guide you through to finish the enrolment process. They will also contact you weekly for the first 6 weeks to ensure you are on track and comfortable with online learning.

    After your onboarding has been completed a Student Adviser will make contact to introduce themselves as your main point of contact and assistance with your ongoing study.

    You will continue to receive regular phone calls, emails and SMS to check your progress and offer help. If we see you getting behind we will increase our efforts to contact you to ensure you are getting the help you need.

    Study online - not alone, and be supported every step of the way!

  • Start and Study Anytime - Enjoy the Flexibility

    ACCM does not have strict semester dates, giving you the ability to decide when you want to start your study program.

    Once your enrolment is approved your personal login details will give you access to your course materials 24/7 and allowing you the flexibility to choose when and where you study.

    You can also see your personal Study Timetable and have clear goals of when your subjects are to be completed.

Am I eligible?

Answer these questions to find out if you are eligible to access Smart and Skilled government subsidised training.

I live or work in NSW