Skills First

Overview

The Skills First program funds training providers to deliver subsidised courses and skill sets. So eligible students will pay less for their training.

Training is subsidised where there is a demand for jobs in related industries. It makes it easier for Victorians to access training when they are new to study or need to retrain to get a job.

The program provides:

funding for learners who need extra support
access to targeted, relevant training for all Victorians
high-quality training that students and industry can trust, aligned to workforce needs
a real voice for industry in training.

Skills First subsidised training includes qualifications and skill sets (accredited short courses), including:

more than 600 accredited courses
more than 100 skill sets.

A core part of Skills First is the Free TAFE program, which gives eligible Victorians access to more than 80 qualifications and short courses, with no tuition fees. Visit the Free TAFE website(opens in a new window) to find out more.

Meeting future skills demand

Skills First is informed by the Victorian Skills Plan, which provides a skills roadmap for Victoria. Together, they ensure that all communities have access to education and training. They help industries to grow their workforces and strengthen Victoria’s economy.

For more information, visit the Victorian Skills Plan(opens in a new window) website.

Funding

Skills First subsidises courses so eligible students pay less for their training.

Additional funding is provided on top of course subsidies to support:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
delivery in regional areas
eligible young people in certain circumstances.

This extra government funding enables all eligible students to access quality training, with the supports they need, across Victoria.

Training providers funded by Skills First must offer concessions on their standard fees. This creates extra savings for learners. The concession fee must not be more than 20 per cent of the standard tuition fee.

Training providers funded by Skills First must also offer fee waivers to eligible students. This means that the student does not need to pay tuition fees. Eligible students include:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students (see 'For Students' section below)
Youth Access Initiative students
students from the Judy Lazarus Transition Centre
young people on community-based orders.

Targeted funding includes:

Skills First Skill Sets(opens in a new window), accredited short courses (skill sets) first offered in 2021
the Reconnect program(opens in a new window), for people who have been in contact with the youth justice system, out-of-home care system or corrections
the Youth Access Initiative(opens in a new window) for young people who have care and/or youth justice experience or who are living in Education First Youth Foyers.

Contracts and compliance

Students and employers can have confidence in the qualifications provided through Skills First. The Victorian Government places strict requirements on Skills First training providers. It also reviews the funding it gives them each year. This ensures they are providing value for money and supporting students to complete training that will lead to real outcomes.

Supporting TAFEs

The Victorian Government recognises that TAFEs are at the heart of Victoria’s training system and the engine room for Victorian jobs. They help people to get the skills they need for the job they want.

TAFEs receive funding each year to give them the security they need to grow and support future learners.

The 2024–25 State Budget is investing $555 million in the TAFE and training system.

This funding means key initiatives to support students, TAFEs and other training providers and industries can continue to be delivered, including more than $1 billion a year for subsidised training places.

Supporting quality providers

To receive Skills First funding, training providers must focus on delivering quality training that meets the needs of learners, industry and the economy.

Subsidised providers must enter into contracts with government to ensure that public funds are well spent.

Government fosters partnerships between industry, TAFEs and other training providers to drive innovation. It aims to ensure Victoria has the skilled workforce it needs now and into the future.
Skills First gives industry a voice in Victoria’s training sector through the Victorian Skills Authority. The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions consults industry to develop the list of courses that Skills First will fund – the Training Needs List(opens in a new window).
Further information on industry engagement can be found on the Victorian Skills Authority website(opens in a new window).
Skills First helps training providers deliver courses that meet the needs of students, industry and the economy.
The Training Needs List(opens in a new window) developed by the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions focuses on meeting demand for skills needs in Victoria.
The list outlines the courses and skill sets for which training providers can offer subsidised tuition.
It is regularly reviewed, and courses are added and removed as required to respond to Victoria’s skills needs.
Subsidy rates
Skills First provides higher subsidies for priority areas, including:
- apprenticeship and apprenticeship pathways
- high-value traineeships
- some courses related to the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the response to the Royal Commission into Family Violence Fees.
Training providers can set their fees according to the cost, specialisation and nature of their training.
Skills First gives students of all ages high-quality training in skills that employers are looking for. We want your training to lead to a job, not just a certificate.
Skills First provides:
- support for apprentices and trainees
- options for older workers to retrain and upskill as Victoria’s economy changes
- a commitment to high-quality training
- support for students facing barriers to study
- support for First Nations students
- more training options for regional students.
Check your eligibility and find a course
The best place to start when you want to start training is to find out if you are eligible for a government-subsidised training place. You will also need to research and choose the training provider that is going to meet your needs.
Not all training providers can deliver government-subsidised training, and some courses are only offered as full-fee courses.
For an up-to-date list of Victorian training providers and subsidised courses, visit the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window). There, you can also find information about occupations, fees and eligibility.
You can also contact the TAFE and Training Line via email or phone for free advice on TAFEs, training courses or financial assistance:
- email: tafe.courseline@djsir.vic.gov.au
- phone: 131 823
For information on Free TAFE eligibility and courses specifically, visit Free TAFE for more Victorians(opens in a new window).
Skills and Jobs Centres
Skills and Jobs Centres(opens in a new window) are located at TAFE campuses and are a one-stop-shop for students. Skills and Jobs Centres are the first place for students to go to if they are looking to start training, or for workers needing to re-skill or retrain.
Drop in to a Skills and Jobs Centre to access:
- apprenticeship and traineeship advice
- job search skills and résumé assistance
- help with career and training plans.
Supporting students
At times, people need some extra help on their road to success.
The Reconnect program(opens in a new window) helps participants to overcome the barriers to education, training and employment. It supports them into further study or employment pathways.
Access fee waiver for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians can gain any vocational education and training qualification under Skills First without tuition fees. Students can get the access fee waiver at any Skills First training provider.
Find the courses and training providers that are right for you using the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window).
Provide feedback on your experience
If you would like to provide feedback about your training or training provider, or make a complaint, contact the TAFE and Training Line:
- email: tafe.courseline@djsir.vic.gov.au
- phone: 131 823
TAFEs have a distinct role as public providers to:
- lead the training system in excellence and innovation
- provide essential life skills and support services
- help students and communities facing barriers to accessing training and education.
Skills First requires TAFEs and dual-sector universities to work collaboratively to meet the expectations of government, industry and students.
There is funding each year to recognise their distinct role as public providers.
TAFEs are:
- a benchmark for quality and trusted advisers to government: delivering the training needed to drive key Victorian priorities
- Centres of Excellence: competing on a global stage by partnering with industry to ensure productivity, innovation and the skills students need to get a job
- more than just training providers: addressing the needs of students to ensure they are work-ready, providing a supportive campus experience, and helping students who might otherwise slip through the cracks
- pivotal in regional communities: continuing links with local businesses, and knowing what skills employers seek
- leaders in international education: working with government to enhance TAFEs’ global reach and support expansion in international education.
Focusing on these, TAFEs will:
- lead the training and TAFE system in excellence
- partner with more enterprises to lift productivity through higher workforce skills
- increase participation of people facing barriers to education
- deliver on key government initiatives.
Supporting Learn Locals
Learn Locals are community-based organisations. They include not-for-profits and neighbourhood houses that deliver training for their local community.
They provide skills and training with a focus on individual needs and tailored programs for students. This includes older people, people with special needs and those from diverse cultural backgrounds.
For more information about Learn Locals, visit the Learn Local website(opens in a new window).

Education Students

Updated 5 June 2024