Australian College of Commerce & Management logo

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. Fee Free Scholarship places are available, as well as Fee Exemptions and Concessions.

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 Dec 2019

Skilling for Recovery

Skilling for Recovery is a NSW State initiative, providing fee-free training to obtain skills in priority and growth industries in order to take advantage of future job opportunities as the economy recovers from COVID-19.

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be an Australian or New Zealand Citizen, Permanent Resident or Refugee Visa holder
  • Live and/or work in New South Wales
  • Be 17-24 years of age, including 2020 Year 12 School Leavers; or
  • Be unemployed (whether in receipt of Commonwealth benefits or not); or
  • Be at risk of unemployment (specific details upon request, just call ACCM)

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 and
    • 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.

     

    Source: S&S FAP  vs 2.3 October 2019 – App 1

    Updated Dec 2019

  • What Courses are available under Smart and Skilled

    95% of College courses are open to you under Smart and Skilled subsidised training.

    For the small number of courses not subsidised under Smart and Skilled - we can suggest similar programs or offer a payment plan option to make your course achievable.

    Refer to the NSW Skills List (v10.1) for course details.

    Updated Dec 2019

     

    The following qualifications are the few that we offer that are not on the NSW subsidised list. We have suggested similar courses that may be an option and that are available under a subsidised Smart and Skilled qualification program; or you can take up a payment plan for that course.

    Diploma of Customer Engagement is not subsidised in NSW. Consider Diploma of Leadership and Management which is subsidised.

    Certificate IV in Financial Practice Support is not a subsidised qualification in NSW. Consider Certificate IV in Financial Services which is subsidised.

    Certificate III in Mercantile Agents is not a subsidised qualification in NSW. Consider Certificate III in Financial Services or Certificate IV in Credit Management which is subsidised.

    Certificate IV in Recordkeeping is not a subsidised qualification in NSW. Certificate III in Recordkeeping is subsidised, or consider Certificate IV in Business.

  • 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.

    The 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 enrolment fees for 2020 vary from

    • Certificate II $880 - $1050
    • Certificate III $1320 - $2550
    • Certificate IV $1580 - $2310
    • Diploma $2510 - $4190
    • Advanced Diploma $2580 - $2910

    The fee amount you pay is the same for ALL Smart and Skilled providers.

    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. If ineligible for the waiver, different fees apply for traineeships in NSW. Most traineeships have a $1000 Enrolment Fee (or $870 for Certificate II traineeships).

  • 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. If ineligible for the waiver, different fees apply for traineeships in NSW. Most traineeships have a $1000 Enrolment Fee (or $870 for Certificate II traineeships).

    Check the NSW Skills List (v10.1).

    Updated Dec 2019

  • 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.

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

    Updated Dec 2020

  • NSW Skills List for Smart and Skilled Subsidised Courses

    For full details refer to the NSW Skills List (current version 10.1)

    Updated Dec 2019

  • 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.

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 II Concession Fee = $160

    Certificate III and Certificate IV Concession Fee = $240

    Concessions do not apply to Diploma or Advanced 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 2.3 Oct 2019 – 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 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 v2.3 Oct 2019 

  • 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 v2.3 Oct 2019 – App 5

  • Smart and Skilled Fee-Free Scholarships

    Recipients of concessions may be eligible for a Smart and Skilled Fee-Free Scholarship. The scholarship is a government subsidy that helps students complete their training under Smart and Skilled without paying a students fee. All qualifications on the NSW Skills List from Certificate I to Certificate IV level are covered.

    Access the brochures below to read more on Fee-Free Scholarships and to find out more information on eligibility requirements.

    For concession-eligible students.

    For young people in  out-of-home care.

    For people who are experiencing or have experienced domestic and family violence.

     

  • Smart and Skilled Fee-Free Traineeships

    Under the NSW Smart and Skilled, Trainees may be eligible for the Fee Free Traineeship Waiver Initiative from 1 Jan 2020 to 31 Dec 2023.

     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 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 get Great Reviews

    Our step by step course materials have been written by industry experts specifically for the College to give you the most relevant and useful learner information you need.

    The resources give you 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 you up for success.

    Our students have the opportunity to give us immediate subject reviews so we always have the opportunity to get even better.

  • 24/7 Access to Course Materials

    Everything you need is a click away. Access your course materials 24/7, submit your assessments, update your contact details, view your results and see your assessors feedback.

    All of the course materials are accessed online so that you can complete your subjects at a time and place that suits you. You receive your login details by email within an hour of enrolling!

    You don't need to be connected to the internet all the time though – you can download and then work on the study documents offline.

    If you prefer pen and paper – you can even print your assessments and then scan them when you are ready to submit.

    If you really, really prefer paper and don’t have access to a printer we can print and post. A small fee applies to cover our costs to do this for you.

    For a small number of courses we use specialist textbooks that will be sent to you at no additional cost.

  • 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 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. Your Student Adviser will make regular phone calls to check your progress and offer help.

    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.

Three Reasons to Enrol Today

LOVE Reviews

Our Rave Reviews!

ACCM helps you succeed in your studies by giving you the support of a dedicated team of Student Advisers with real life industry experience.

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.

247

Anytime Access

Everything you need is a click away. Access your course materials 24/7, submit your assessments, update your contact details, view your results and see your assessor’s feedback.

All of the course materials are accessed online so that you can complete your subjects at a time and place that suits you. You receive your login details by email within an hour of enrolling!

No exams

No Exams

There are no stressful exams.

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

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.

Am I eligible?

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

I am 15 years or older
I have left school
I live or work in NSW
I am an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident

Congratulations!  You are eligible.

Enrol online to reserve your place.

The eligibility rules are complex. You may still be eligible… but we need to talk to you about your specific circumstances.