Check your eligibility for Skills First funding

What is Skills First funding?

Skills First is a Victorian Government program that provides access to government-subsidised training for courses in growth industries.

If you are eligible, your tuition fees will be lower.

Skills First training includes qualifications and some skill sets.

Skills First eligibility

From 1 January 2023, you need to meet these requirements to be eligible for Skills First subsidised training:

Citizenship

You must be:

an Australian citizen, or
an Australian permanent resident, or
a New Zealand citizen.

Physical location

You must be physically present in Victoria or in a designated border region while participating in training and assessment.

Course limits

Skills First funding is limited to:

2 courses at a time
2 courses in a year.

Find out more about Skills First.

Skills First fee concessions

The Victorian Government offers eligible students discounted course fees. Training providers offer concessions on Skills First training courses in Victoria.

Concessions are available for Certificate IV level and below courses, and skill sets. You will need to hold one of the following valid concession cards:

Health Care Card
Pensioner Concession Card
Veteran’s Gold Card.

You can also get a concession if you are a dependent spouse or a dependent child of a card holder.

This also applies if you are enrolled under the Asylum Seeker VET Program (even if you don’t have a concession card).

Aboriginal access fee waiver

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians can do any VET qualification under Skills First without the cost of tuition fees. Students can get the Aboriginal access fee waiver at any Skills First training provider.

Upskilling requirement removed

As of 1 January 2023, the Skills First upskilling requirement has been completely removed.

This means that you can enrol into a Skills First subsidised training course, regardless of the highest qualification you hold.

For example, if you hold an Advanced Diploma or a Degree, you can enrol in a Skills First subsidised Certificate II.

Your options if you are not eligible for Skills First

Other financial assistance

If you are doing a course which is Diploma level or above, you may be eligible for a VET Student Loan.

If you are doing a Certificate level course, talk to your training provider about your financial options.

Asylum seekers

If you are an asylum seeker, you may be eligible for the Asylum seeker VET program.

Overseas students

If you are an overseas student, you are not eligible for Skills First funding, but you may be able to get other government assistance for study. See the Australian Government Study Assist Non-Australian Citizens page(opens in a new window) for more information.

General information and next steps

Training providers can set their own fees, so they’ll vary between courses and providers.

Contact your preferred training provider to find out if you’re eligible for Skills First when you apply for a course. Ask them to:

confirm your eligibility
confirm if they have a Skills First place available.

You will need to provide documents such as proof of your citizenship or residency, and details about any study you have done. Check our guide on preparing to be assessed for government assistance.

For general information about Skills First funding and eligibility, contact the TAFE and Training Line or a Skills and Jobs Centre.