How to Access Government Funded Training in Australia

You know you need more skills to get ahead, but training costs are wild. A TAFE certificate can run thousands of dollars, and uni degrees? Forget about it. But here’s what heaps of people don’t realise: the government actually subsidises a ton of training, making it way cheaper or even free if you qualify. The problem is figuring out what’s actually available, whether you’re eligible, and how to actually access it without getting lost in confusing government websites and forms.

This guide cuts through all that noise. We’re breaking down exactly how government-funded training works in Australia, what types of support exist, who qualifies, and most importantly—the actual steps to get yourself enrolled in subsidised courses. No bureaucratic jargon, no vague “check with your provider” non-answers. Just clear instructions on accessing training that won’t leave you broke.

Understanding What “Government-Funded Training” Actually Means

When people say “government-funded training,” they’re usually talking about one of a few different things, and it matters which one because they work differently:

HELP Loans (HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, VET Student Loans): These are government loans that let you defer course fees and pay them back later through the tax system once you’re earning above about $54k per year. You don’t pay anything upfront, but you are taking on a debt. These apply to university degrees and some vocational Diplomas.

State-subsidised vocational training: This is where state governments pay part or all of the cost for TAFE certificates and diplomas. What you pay depends on your state, the course, and your personal situation. Could be free, could be a few hundred bucks, could be a couple thousand—but it’s always cheaper than full price.

Apprenticeship and traineeship incentives: Government payments to employers (and sometimes apprentices) to support on-the-job training combined with formal qualifications. If you’re doing an apprenticeship, there’s probably government funding involved even if you don’t see it directly.

Income support for students: Centrelink payments like Youth Allowance or Austudy that help cover living costs while you study full-time. These are means-tested (based on your income and family situation), separate from course fee support.

Most people accessing “government-funded training” are using either HELP loans (for uni) or state-subsidised TAFE/vocational courses. That’s what we’ll focus on here.

The Different Types of Funding and How They Work

University HELP Loans

If you’re doing a degree at an Australian university, you’ll probably use HECS-HELP (for Commonwealth Supported undergraduate places) or FEE-HELP (for postgraduate courses or full-fee undergrad places). These loans cover your tuition fees completely—you pay $0 upfront. The government pays your uni directly, and you accumulate a debt that shows up on your tax records.

You start repaying through the tax system once you earn over the threshold (currently $54,435 annually). Your employer withholds extra tax to cover it, or the ATO calculates what you owe when you do your tax return. The debt doesn’t charge interest, but it does index to inflation each June, so it grows slightly to maintain its value over time.

Who qualifies: Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible visa holders who are living in Australia while studying. There’s no age limit, no means test—if you meet citizenship and residency requirements, you can access HELP loans regardless of whether you’re working or how much you earn.

State-Subsidised TAFE and Vocational Training

Each state runs its own subsidised training scheme funding TAFE certificates and diplomas in priority areas. Victoria has Free TAFE and Skills First, NSW has Smart and Skilled, Queensland has the Subsidised Training List—every state has something, but the details differ.

The government subsidises the cost, so instead of paying full price (often $5k-$15k for a whole qualification), you pay a subsidised rate. How much depends on your state, the specific course, and whether you’re in a priority group. Could be:

– $0 (free): If the course is designated Free TAFE or you’re in a priority group

– $500-$1,500: Typical subsidised rate for concession card holders

– $1,500-$3,000: Standard subsidised rate for general students

– Full price: If you don’t qualify for subsidies

You usually pay the subsidised amount upfront (or through payment plans), unlike HELP loans where everything’s deferred. So while it’s way cheaper than full price, you still need some money available.

Who qualifies: Australian citizens or permanent residents living in that specific state. Additional requirements vary by state but often include restrictions like “your first qualification at this level” or priority for certain age groups or employment situations.

VET Student Loans

For vocational Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas from approved providers, you might qualify for VET Student Loans—basically the HELP loan equivalent for vocational training. Works the same way: you defer fees, incur a debt, repay through tax once earning above thresholds.

Not all vocational courses qualify, only approved ones at approved providers. Check the VET Student Loans course list on Study Assist to see if your intended course is covered.

Checking Your Eligibility (The Quick Version)

Before you waste time researching specific courses, confirm you meet basic eligibility. Here’s the checklist:

For any government funding:

✅ Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible visa holder

✅ Living in Australia while studying (not overseas)

✅ Have a Tax File Number (or willing to get one)

For state-subsidised training specifically:

✅ Resident of that state (not just visiting)

✅ Haven’t exhausted your funding limits (often restricted to first qualifications at each level)

✅ Meet any additional criteria the state sets (age, employment status, etc.)

For income support payments (Youth Allowance, Austudy):

✅ Studying full-time in an approved course

✅ Meet income and assets tests (for you and your family if under 22)

✅ Right age bracket (under 25 for Youth Allowance, 25+ for Austudy)

If you’re not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you’re unfortunately out of luck for government funding. Temporary visa holders generally can’t access these schemes (with very limited exceptions for humanitarian visas).

Where to Actually Find Funded Courses

Now that you know you probably qualify, here’s where to look for actual courses:

Start with MySkills.gov.au

MySkills is the national training database. Search by what you want to study (job role, industry, or specific qualification), filter by your location and whether you want subsidised courses, and it shows you providers offering that training and approximate costs. It’s not perfect but it’s comprehensive.

When you find something interesting, the site links to provider websites where you can get detailed info about current subsidies and enrolment.

Check Your State’s Training Website

Google “[your state] subsidised training list” or “[your state] free TAFE” and go to the official state government training site. These list exactly which courses are subsidised this year, how much you’ll pay, and which providers deliver them.

State lists change regularly (usually updated annually), so what’s subsidised now might not be next year, and vice versa. Always check current year lists rather than old information.

Go Direct to TAFE

Your state’s TAFE website lists all their subsidised courses with clear pricing for different student categories. TAFE is government-run, so their subsidised courses are legitimate and usually well-supported. Look for “subsidised courses,” “government-funded training,” or “Free TAFE” sections on their site.

Use Study Assist for University and VET Loans

If you’re looking at uni or higher-level vocational courses that use loan schemes, Study Assist explains HELP loans and VET Student Loans, shows which courses qualify, and has an eligibility checker that tells you in 2 minutes if you can access loans.

The Actual Application Process (Step by Step)

For University HELP Loans

1. Choose your uni and course, apply for admission through the uni’s normal application process

2. Get accepted and receive an offer

3. When enrolling, you’ll see an option to use HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP

4. Tick the box, provide your Tax File Number, declare you meet requirements

5. Submit enrolment—the uni processes your HELP request automatically

6. You receive a Commonwealth Assistance Notice confirming your loan amount

That’s it. The uni deals with the government directly. You don’t pay fees upfront, you just accumulate debt that appears on your myGov tax account.

For State-Subsidised TAFE/Vocational Training

1. Find a subsidised course using MySkills or your state’s training website

2. Contact the training provider (TAFE or registered RTO) directly—call, email, or use their online enquiry form

3. Ask: “I’m interested in [course name], can you confirm it’s subsidised and what I’ll pay?”

4. They’ll ask basic eligibility questions: citizenship, residency, previous qualifications, concession cards

5. If you’re eligible, they’ll tell you the subsidised cost for your situation

6. Complete their enrolment application (online or paper)

7. Provide documents proving eligibility: ID showing citizenship/residency, proof of state residence (driver’s licence, bills), concession cards if claiming discounts

8. Pay the subsidised fee (upfront or through payment plan if offered)

9. Get enrolled confirmation and start date

The provider handles all the government subsidy stuff behind the scenes. You just prove you’re eligible and pay whatever the subsidised rate is.

For VET Student Loans

Similar to uni HELP loans but through your vocational training provider:

1. Confirm the course is on the approved VET Student Loans list

2. Enrol with an approved provider offering that course

3. During enrolment, request VET Student Loan assistance

4. Complete the loan request form (provider gives you this)

5. Provide TFN and declare eligibility

6. Provider submits loan request to government

7. Get approved, fees are covered by the loan, you accumulate debt

Common Roadblocks and How to Handle Them

“The provider says I’m not eligible but I thought I was”: Ask specifically why. Often it’s because you’ve already done a qualification at that level and didn’t realise it restricts funding. Sometimes there are exceptions—if you’re retraining because your industry collapsed, or the course is in a skills shortage area. Ask about exemptions.

“The course I want isn’t subsidised in my state”: Check if higher or lower levels of the same field are subsidised. Or consider whether full-fee training at a few thousand dollars is still worth it if job prospects are good. Or see if moving to a different state is realistic (not usually, but some people do relocate for better study opportunities).

“I can’t afford even the subsidised fees”: Ask about payment plans. Check if you qualify for additional concessions through concession cards. Look for Free TAFE programmes if you’re in Victoria or other states with fully-free options. For uni, HELP loans defer everything so upfront cost isn’t an issue.

“It’s all too confusing”: Call the training provider or TAFE directly and just ask: “I want to study [whatever], can you walk me through whether I qualify and how to apply?” They do this every day and can explain your specific situation in 10 minutes better than you’ll figure out reading websites for hours.

Actually Getting Started

Government-funded training isn’t some mysterious thing only certain people can access. If you’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident, there’s a very good chance you qualify for something—whether that’s uni HELP loans, subsidised TAFE, or vocational loan schemes. The key is just figuring out which type of funding applies to what you want to study, confirming you meet the basic requirements, and then actually following through with applications.

Don’t let the complexity of the system stop you. Break it down: What do you want to study? Is it uni or vocational? Check if it’s subsidised in your state. Contact the provider and ask about eligibility. If you qualify, do the enrolment and provide the documents they need. That’s the process. It’s bureaucratic and annoying, but it’s not impossible.

Ready to see what courses are available? Start exploring online courses and find training that fits your goals and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay back government-funded training?

It depends on the type of funding. HELP loans (HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, VET Student Loans) are loans—you definitely pay them back through the tax system once you’re earning over $54,435 per year. The debt doesn’t have interest but it does index to inflation annually. State-subsidised TAFE training isn’t a loan—once you pay the subsidised fee (which might be $0, or a few thousand), that’s it. There’s no debt and nothing to repay later. So if you do Free TAFE in Victoria and pay $0, you literally never pay anything. If you pay $1,500 subsidised rate for a NSW course, you pay that $1,500 and you’re done. The confusion comes from people mixing up loans (which you repay later) with subsidies (which just make courses cheaper upfront).

Can I access government-funded training if I already have a qualification?

For uni HELP loans, yes—previous qualifications don’t stop you accessing loans, though you might not get another Commonwealth Supported Place if you’ve already completed a bachelor’s degree. For state-subsidised vocational training, it’s trickier. Many programmes restrict funding to your first qualification at each level. So if you’ve done a Certificate III already, you might not get subsidised training for another Certificate III in a different field. However, you can usually get subsidised training for qualifications at higher levels (so having a Cert III doesn’t stop you getting subsidised Cert IV or Diploma). Plus there are exceptions for priority industries, retraining from declining sectors, or if significant time has passed. Always check with the provider about your specific situation—they can tell you if exceptions apply.

How long does it take to get approved for government-funded training?

For uni HELP loans, it’s pretty quick—once you’re accepted into your course and submit your HELP request during enrolment, approval usually happens within days. You’ll get a Commonwealth Assistance Notice confirming your loan before semester starts. For state-subsidised TAFE/vocational training, there’s no separate approval process—you either meet eligibility requirements or you don’t, which the provider confirms when you enrol. If you provide the right documents proving citizenship, residency, and any other requirements, you’re enrolled at the subsidised rate immediately. The only delays usually come from missing documents or needing to verify previous qualifications. Most people can go from initial enquiry to confirmed enrolment within 2-4 weeks, faster if you’ve got all your documents ready and courses have available places.