Support is available to help you through your training
Financial support and learning support are available to help you start, maintain and finish your studies. Learn more about your options here, and if you need more help, call the Skills Infoline on 1800 673 097.
Financial support
Fee concessions, scholarships and grants, VET student loans and living allowances can help with study and living costs while you’re training.
If you’re enrolling in subsidised training, your training provider must offer you a concession if you:
- hold a health care card
- hold a pensioner concession card
- hold a Veteran’s Affairs card
- are a prison inmate, a detainee, on remand, held in a South Australian institution in connection with the commission of an offence, or a child in a South Australian detention centre older than 16 years.
If you’re enrolling in subsidised training, your training provider must offer you a concession if you:
- hold a health care card
- hold a pensioner concession card
- hold a Veteran’s Affairs card
- are a prison inmate, a detainee, on remand, held in a South Australian institution in connection with the commission of an offence, or a child in a South Australian detention centre older than 16 years.
Loans, grants and fee exemptions
If you are undertaking a Higher Education apprenticeship or traineeship, there are Federal Government programs and initiatives which may be of assistance.
VET Student Loans can help you pay tuition fees for some courses at diploma level and above.
If you get a VET Student Loan, the amount of the loan is paid directly to your training provider. If the loan doesn’t cover the full course fee, you pay the gap. Once your income reaches a certain amount, you start repaying your debt.
TAFE SA offers financial help through scholarships and grants.
If you are – or if you’ve ever been - under a Guardianship Order of a government Minister in Australia and 16 years or older, you don’t have to pay course fees for subsidised courses.
If you think you’re eligible, complete the form or contact us on 1800 673 097.
Allowances for apprentices
Many modern awards require employers to reimburse apprentices for the full cost of any travel and accommodation needed to attend off-the job training. These costs can be partially offset by the Travel and Accommodation Allowance if:
- your current training contract is registered in South Australia
- you travel more than 150km from your home to training
- you live in South Australia’s rural regions.
If you think you may be eligible, speak to your employer.
Other programs are often run by the Australian Government to provide financial incentives for apprentices and trainees undertaking vocational education studies.
Learning support
Do you want to start vocational education, but need help with your reading, writing and maths? There are courses to help you prepare.
All training providers will conduct a short assessment before you enrol in a training course. If you need to develop your foundation skills – reading, writing, speaking, maths, computer skills, workplace skills – your training provider will let you know.
If you’re eligible for subsidised training, you may be able to do foundation skills courses and bridging units for free or at a reduced price.
Bridging units help cover gaps in your existing knowledge or skills to make sure you don’t fall behind.
Ask your training provider if you feel you need help with foundation skills.
If you’re not ready to talk to a training provider yet, a community education Foundation Skills course may be right for you.
These courses are an alternative to traditional formal learning. They are designed to help you connect with your community and improve your learning skills. They can be a first step towards other training and education opportunities.