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NSW Fee-Free training NSW Fee-Free training

NSW Fee-Free training

Skills NSW provides fully subsidised training to gain skills in Australia’s growing industries. Explore hundreds of qualifications.
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Skills NSW Fee-Free training

Skills NSW provides fully subsidised training to gain skills in Australia’s growing industries. Explore hundreds of qualifications.

NSW Fee Free – giving people the skills businesses need

NSW Fee Free improves access to training for young people, job seekers, First Nations People, unpaid carers, women undertaking study in non-traditional trades and certain categories of visa holders.

It does this by offering:

  • full and part qualification courses
  • courses at TAFE NSW and other Smart and Skilled contracted training providers, including Adult and Community Education providers
  • enrolments until 31 December 2023.

Check your eligibility, explore the NSW fee free courses on offer and the training providers that can deliver them below.

Who is eligible?

Smart and Skilled provides eligible students with:
  • 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.
Under Skills NSW, you may be able to study a fee-free course if you are:
  • 15 years old or over
  • no longer at school
  • living or working in NSW
  • an Australian citizen, permanent resident, humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen.

Other eligibility conditions

Your eligibility is not affected if you have completed a vocational education and training (VET) course, including a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship, as part of your high school education.

There are some exceptions to the eligibility conditions described above, such as for Aboriginal people.

Use the Skills Compare search to find a course and check your eligibility.

Short courses

Choose from 100’s of fully subsidised short courses to develop your skills across a number of exciting industries.

They can be used as a starting point to complete a full qualification at a later stage.

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We're here to help

For lifelong careers information and to access free professional career guidance visit Careers NSW.

Not sure what courses are available or how to enrol? Contact your nearest Training Services NSW office on 13 28 11 to help you make connections with the right organisations and people in your region.

We're here to help

Select an option from the services below.

Careers NSW Skills Hub

Free phone service to help you find skills and training support in NSW. 
Call 13 77 88 or make an appointment online.

Training Services NSW

Not sure what courses are available or how to enrol? Contact your nearest office for help making connections in your region.

Careers NSW

For other career related information and support.

Send an enquiry

Send an enquiry using the form on the left. Alternatively, here is how to contact your nearest Training Services NSW office.

Ring 13 28 11 to be directed to your nearest office or navigate to the Contact Us page to view our locations.

How long will it take to complete this qualification?

Short Course

All short courses are currently shown as under 4 months duration, based on the Department of Education's internal data analysis. Ask your provider for more information.

Qualification

Duration information is based on 20 hours of class time per week and uses aggregated data reported to the Department by Smart and Skilled providers.

Apprenticeships and Traineeships

The duration indicates contract term which includes both formal training and full-time employment under a training contract. This is based on aggregated data reported to the Department by Smart and Skilled providers. Click here for more information about doing an apprenticeship or traineeship and ask your provider for guidance on your individual circumstances.