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Worker’s Name: Deborah
Neill
Organisation/Service/Project: TAFE
NSW – South Western Sydney Institute
Telephone/Email: deborah.neill@tafensw.edu.au
Initiative/Project:
- Skills/Qualifications
Recognition-Pathways:
Smart and Skilled update from SWSi attached - Student incentives
and opportunities under Smart & Skilled for 2016
Student incentives and
opportunities under Smart & Skilled for 2016
There were significant
announcements by the Minister for Skills, John Barilaro and Skills and Industry
Policy - SIP (formerly State Training Services) at the end of 2015. This
is an overview of the student incentives and opportunities for TAFE NSW and
SWSi as a result of these announcements.
2016 Eligibility Rule Changes
In
2016, learners who have completed a higher level qualification will now be
eligible for a subsidised entitlement place. For example, those who have
completed a Certificate IV or above will be able to access Foundation Skills
courses and Certificate II and Certificate III qualifications that are on the
2016 Skills List. This is especially
relevant to those individuals who gained their higher level qualifications many
years ago or from overseas, who need minimal re-training in order to enter (or
re-enter) the workforce.
Fee-Free Scholarships For Full Qualifications
Skills
and Industry Policy (SIP) is continuing to offer a fee exemption called a
‘Fee-Free Scholarship’ for all Certificate I to IV qualifications
undertaken by students who are aged between 15 and 30 years of age and receive
Commonwealth Welfare allowances such as a Newstart Allowance or a Youth
Allowance, or are the dependant of a Commonwealth Welfare recipient. There is a
priority for young people living in Social Housing, or on the Social Housing
waiting list.
Disability fee exemptions
Students with a disability and
dependants of a person with a disability are now eligible for a fee exemption
for all qualifications they undertake that are on the 2016 NSW Skills List.
This is a change from the 2015 arrangements where students with a disability
were entitled to one exemption per calendar year and a concession for
subsequent enrolments.
Traineeship fees capped at $1000
Fees
for government subsidised traineeship courses are now capped at $1,000. Over 85
per cent of traineeship qualifications on the NSW Skills List will be cheaper
for students in 2016, with an average saving of
$1,128.
Fee-Free Targeted Priorities Part
Qualifications (TPPQs)
These
programs are predominantly targeted at school leavers and job seekers and are
based on units from our Smart & Skilled approved qualifications list. Trade
and Career Readiness and Pre-apprenticeship and Pre-traineeships
programs provide an important pathway for students to more easily transition
into full qualifications. Smart & Skilled eligibility rules apply and these
programs are currently fee-free.
