Smart and Skilled in New South Wales (NSW) offers eligible NSW students subsidised training for courses up to and including Certificate III. It also provides government funding for higher-level courses (Certificate IV and above) in specific priority areas. This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.
The main focus of NSW Smart and Skilled is to assist individuals in entering the workforce by helping them enhance their language, literacy, and numeracy skills, along with gaining specific job-related skills. Certificates I, II, and III are considered the minimum requirements for securing employment.
Individuals meeting the eligibility conditions for NSW Smart and Skilled are entitled to enrol in a subsidised course up to Certificate III, irrespective of their previous qualifications. For instance, if someone already holds an Advanced Diploma of Hospitality, they can still seek funding for a Certificate III in Business Administration or Civil Construction.
While NSW Smart and Skilled primarily concentrates on entry-level qualifications, subsidised training is also available for some Certificate IV, Diploma, or Advanced Diploma levels in targeted areas.
To be eligible for NSW Smart and Skilled funding, individuals must be Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian humanitarian visa holders, or New Zealand citizens. They should be 15 years old or older, no longer attending school, and either living or working in NSW.
