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Skills NSW Skills NSW

NSW Fee-Free short courses

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

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

Short courses or part qualifications

NSW Fee Free part qualifications are short courses, often referred to as skills sets or micro-credentials, designed to give NSW citizens skills in priority and growth industry areas.

The NSW Government is providing over 14,200 fee-free training placements across a range of vocational education and training part qualifications. This means you do not have to pay anything to do a short course.

These courses are offered by Smart and Skilled contracted training providers including:
  • Adult and Community Education (ACE) providers
  • Private providers.

The courses are on nationally accredited subjects. When a participant completes a part-qualification they will obtain a statement of attainment or a nationally accredited skill set, which they can then use as the starting point to complete a full qualification at a later stage.

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

You might also wish to talk to a Smart and Skilled provider about what training they can offer to meet your needs.

Further information on the Smart and Skilled eligibility criteria can be found under NSW Fee Free training.

NSW Fee-free short courses are fully funded by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments.


Explore NSW Fee-Free short courses by industry sector

If you know what industry attracts you, you can explore these areas to find a suitable short course. Government subsidised training means that, if you are eligible and there is a subsidised place available, the government will pay the student fee on your behalf. Select an industry you’d like to explore to find what short courses are available.

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.