20 Jun 2018
From the 1st of July Apprenticeships will be FEE FREE as per the NSW State Budget announcement, which should be a great incentive for more to take up this career path.
Who is eligible for a fee-free apprenticeship?
To be eligible, you must be a NSW apprentice or NSW school-based apprentice, and have commenced your Smart and Skilled apprenticeship training on or after 1 July 2018.
I've recently started an apprenticeship. Am I eligible for fee-free?
If you start training with your training provider on or after 1 July 2018, you do not have to pay a fee. If you started training before this date, the student fee must still be paid.
Only apprenticeship training commencing from 1 July 2018 is fee-free. You are still required to pay any outstanding fee to your training provider.
Only apprenticeships are eligible. Smart and Skilled Traineeship fees are capped at $1,000.
I've already started my apprenticeship. Will the student fees I have paid be refunded?
If you started training with your training provider before 1 July 2018 you are not eligible for a refund. If the training component of your apprenticeship does not start until on or after 1 July 2018, your training provider must refund the student fee(s) you have paid to date.
I have a disability. Am I eligible for a fee-free apprenticeship?
Smart and Skilled provides fee exemptions to students with a disability, which means you will not have to pay a fee.
You may also be entitled to financial support to help you complete an apprenticeship. There are employment agencies that specialise in providing assistance tailored to your individual circumstances.
I am an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person. Am I eligible for a fee-free apprenticeship?
Smart and Skilled provides fee exemptions to Aboriginal students which means you will not have to pay a fee.
You may also be able to receive mentoring support under the Way Ahead for Aboriginal People program. Way Ahead mentors can provide you with guidance and support during your apprenticeship, and help you cope with some of the social and organisation pressures faced by Aboriginal people in the workplace.
For support from a Way Ahead mentor, please contact your local Training Services NSW centre on 13 28 11. There are also programs available if you're starting a new career or a new business.
Your employer may be eligible for financial help when they employ a person with disability. This can include wage subsidies through the support for Australian Apprentices with Disability program, or assistance to modify or adjust your workplace through the Employment Assistance Fund.
https://vet.nsw.gov.au/choosing-vet/fee-free-apprenticeships