Skills Ready

The annual fees cap applies for all of the Lower fees, local skills qualifications. This means that regardless of how much your course fees actually are, you will not pay more than a set total amount per qualification or course per year. The fees cap is set at $400 for eligible concession students, and $1,200 for non-concession students.

Check out our FAQs at the bottom of the page for more information.

The following people will be entitled to a concession rate course fees cap of $400.

• Persons aged 15—24 years at the time of enrolment (excluding students enrolled at school)
• Persons and dependents of persons in receipt of services from one of the following Commonwealth support or employment services programs:
  • Jobactive
  • Online Employment Services
  • ParentsNext
• Persons and dependents of persons receiving the Youth Allowance, AUSTUDY or ABSTUDY
• Persons and dependents of persons holding:
  • a pensioner concession card or  Health Care Card; or
  • a Repatriation Health Benefits Card issued by the Department of Veterans' Affairs
• Dependents of persons who are inmates of a custodial institution

Are all those infection control skill sets really free?

Yes! The Skills Ready infection control skill sets are totally free, for everyone*! 

The course fees and any resource fees are 100 per cent subsidised by the WA State Government, through Jobs and Skills WA, so that there is no cost to you. 

The free infection control skill sets target areas that WA needs right now, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. By making these courses free we are able to help more people get skills ready, boost their skills for the future, and get jobs. 

Please note: The minimum age requirement for the Entry Into Care Roles and the COVID-19 Direct Care skill sets is 18 years. For the other infection control skill sets, students must be 15 years of age or older.  

The free training is available to residents of Western Australia.

Temporary residents
Persons holding one of the following visa types are also eligible:

• holders of a sub-class 309, 444, 785, 790, 820 or 826 visa;
• secondary holders of a temporary visa of sub-class 457; and
• holders of a Bridging Visa E (subclasses 050 and 051) where the visa holder has made a valid application for a visa of subclass 785 or 790.

Who is not eligible

• Persons living outside of Western Australia, or Australia, are not eligible.
• International students and people on a student visa are not eligible.

The Department of Training and Workforce Development’s VET Fees and charges policy- (opens in a new tab) outlines eligibility for subsidised training in WA.

There are six free infection control skill sets available, each focused on a specific area of work.

The COVID-19 Direct Care skill set was developed in consultation with WA employers in the aged care and disability services sectors and the Community Services, Health and Education Training Council. It contains three units of competency chosen to get you job ready for entry-level employment.

• HLTINF001 Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures 
• HLTWHS005 Conduct manual tasks safely 
• CHCCCS011 Meet personal support needs 

The CHCSS00114 Entry Into Care Roles skill set addresses the skills and knowledge required to provide entry level support and basic client care for a range of roles and purposes within the aged care and disability support sectors. The support provided in client care will be predominantly non-direct. The skill set is comprised of the following units.

• HLTINF001 Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
• CHCCCS015 Provide individualised support
• HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care

HLTINFCOV001 Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures is a nationally recognised unit of competency, to train people to follow organisational infection prevention and control procedures including implementing standard and transmission-based precautions and responding to infection risks. With this skill set, you can select from three industry areas — transport and logistics, hospitality (food handling), and retail — so that you can choose the one that best matches with the type of work you're looking for or currently doing.

The skill set HLTSS00064 Infection Control is linked to the unit HLTINF001 Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures and has been designed for the healthcare sector; specifically those working in aged care or disability support.

• For further information about the free infection control skill sets, including where they are available and how to enrol, please click here.

The minimum age requirement for the Entry Into Care Roles and the COVID-19 Direct Care skill sets is 18 years.

For the other infection control skill sets, students must be 15 years of age or older.

All job ready skill sets are available to everyone, and 100% free for the following eligible students.   

• Persons aged 15—24 years at the time of enrolment (excluding school students)
• Persons receiving the JobSeeker payment
• Persons and dependents of persons receiving the Youth Allowance, AUSTUDY or ABSTUDY
• Persons and dependents of persons holding:
  • a pensioner concession card or Health Care Card; or
  • a Repatriation Health Benefits Card issued by the Department of Veterans' Affairs
• Dependents of persons who are inmates of a custodial institution

Course and resource fees will apply for non-eligible students.

If you don't meet these eligibility requirements, please contact North Regional TAFE to find out more about course and resources fees. 

 For further information about the job ready skill sets, including where they are available and how to enrol, please click here.

From 1 January 2023, Job Ready skill sets will be 100% fee-free for everyone*. All fees are 100 per cent subsidised by the WA State Government, so that there is no cost to you.

From 1 January 2023, course fees selected qualifications will also be free for everyone*. There may be some additional fees that apply for these qualifications — please see the FAQs below about fees.

*Some eligibility conditions apply for the free training from 1 January 2023. Please refer to the information under Who can access subsidised training such as the free or reduced-fee qualifications? below.

Free courses available from 1 January 2023

• If you commenced units in a course or skill set prior to it becoming free from 1 January 2023, you will pay the regular course fee rate for those units until 31 December 2022. Training will become fee-free from 1 January 2023.
• If you commence units in a course or skill set on or after 1 January 2023, you will be eligible for a refund if you paid fees previous to that date.

If you think you may have overpaid for your course, please contact your TAFE college or training provider to request a review of your payment and a refund if applicable.

The WA State Government, through Jobs and Skills WA, subsidises vocational education and training (VET) courses in priority areas, to reduce or remove the fees and make training more accessible to all Western Australians.

To be eligible for a subsidised training place; you must have left school*, have your primary place of residence in Western Australia, and are either:

• an Australian citizen; or
• a permanent visa holder or holder of visa subclass 309, 444, 449, 785, 786, 790, or 820; or
• a dependent or spouse of the primary holder of a visa subclass 457 or 482; or
• a bridging visa holder who has made a valid application for a visa subclass 866; or
• a bridging visa E holder (subclasses 050 and 051) who has made a valid application for a visa subclass 785 or 790.

*In 2023, Year 12 school students who are leaving school can access a subsidised training place from 23 October 2023.

Interstate apprentices and trainees may be eligible for publicly funded training in WA.

The Department of Training and Workforce Development’s VET Fees and charges policy(opens in a new tab)  outlines eligibility for subsidised training in WA.

All enquiries regarding eligibility and/or course fees should be made to your TAFE college or private training provider.

From 1 January 2023, the Job Ready skill sets are all 100% fee-free to people who have left school*, have their primary place of residence in Western Australia, and are either:

• an Australian citizen; or
• a permanent visa holder or holder of visa subclass 309, 444, 449, 785, 786, 790, or 820; or
• a dependent or spouse of the primary holder of a visa subclass 457 or 482; or
• a bridging visa holder who has made a valid application for a visa subclass 866; or
• a Bridging Visa E holder (subclasses 050 and 051) who has made a valid application for a visa subclass 785 or 790.

*In 2023, Year 12 school students who are leaving school can access a subsidised training place from 23 October 2023.

*Please note: Some eligibility conditions apply for the free training. Please refer to the information under Who can access subsidised training such as the free or reduced-fee qualifications?

The Department of Training and Workforce Development’s VET Fees and charges policy(opens in a new tab)  outlines eligibility for subsidised training in WA.

All enquiries regarding eligibility and/or course fees should be made to your TAFE college or private training provider.

This will depend on the qualification or course you choose.

Free Job Ready skill sets from 1 January 2023
All of the Job Ready skill sets are 100% FEE-FREE from 1 January 2023 for all* students. You will pay no course fees, resource fees, or any other fees.

Free qualifications (from 1 January 2023)
For the free qualifications starting from 1 January 2023, there is no course fee cost*. Other fees, such as for resources, may apply.

Lower fees, local skills qualifications
Other fees, such as resource fees, may apply to some of the Lower fees, local skills qualifications.
 

What are resource fees?
Resource fees cover materials purchased by the TAFE or training provider that are required for and used during your training; such as workshop materials, workbooks and essential uniforms. For example; you may need to use timber for a course in carpentry — you would pay a resource fee to cover this cost.

*Please note: Some eligibility conditions apply for the free and/or subsidised training. Please refer to the information under Who can access subsidised training such as the free or reduced-fee qualifications?

Fees for vocational education and training courses are set by the Department of Training and Workforce Development's VET fees and charges policy.

Please refer to your TAFE college or training provider for details of any fees that may apply for the course you're interested in. 

The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) — the national regulator for vocational education and training (VET) — defines a skill set as follows.

"A single unit of competency or a combination of units of competency from a training package which link to a licensing or regulatory requirement, or a defined industry need."

In VET, a qualification or course is made up of a number of units of competency, and each of those units has defined learning outcomes based on the skills and knowledge it covers. A skill set is developed by choosing individual units of competency that target a specific set of skills and knowledge, to meet the needs of industry or a particular job role.

Skill sets are also used to upskill workers — for example; if cleaning staff at a hospital needed to learn about infection control, or if office workers needed to learn some management skills — in situations where a full qualification is not required.

Because skill sets are based on nationally accredited units of competency, when you successfully complete a skill set short course those units can count towards a full qualification if you decide to do further study. 

A vocational education and training (VET) qualification is made up of a number of units of competency, and each of those units has defined learning outcomes based on the skills and knowledge it covers. Each unit of competency has a set number of "nominal hours" ie the indicative hours required to deliver and assess the unit. 

Some people choose to complete individual units, to pick up specific skills when they need to. For example, you may work as a fitter and machinist but you want to move into plant mechanics — you could complete some units from the Certificate III in Engineering Plant Mechanic qualification to gain the skills and knowledge you need for that.

Individual units of competency are also used to develop skill sets or short courses, that target a specific skills area. 

Because the skill sets are not a full qualification, you will not receive a certificate.

You will receive a Statement of Attainment that lists all of the units of competency you completed in the skill set. This statement is recognised nationally as an official record. It verifies that you have completed those units, so you can receive credit for them should you continue on to further study. 

Yes! Completing a skill set is a great way to find out whether this is the industry area for you, and decide if you want to do further study and gain a full qualification. 

The Skills Ready skill sets contain units of competency taken from nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET) qualifications. This means they work perfectly as a pathway to further study.

The Statement of Attainment you receive on completion of a skill set verifies that you have completed those units, so you will receive credit for them should you continue on to further study. 

The Lower fees, local skills courses are available to residents of Western Australia.

Temporary residents
Persons holding one of the following visa types are also eligible:

• holders of a sub-class 309, 444, 785, 790, 820 or 826 visa;
• secondary holders of a temporary visa of sub-class 457; and
• holders of a Bridging Visa E (subclasses 050 and 051) where the visa holder has made a valid application for a visa of subclass 785 or 790.

Who is not eligible

• Persons living outside of Western Australia, or Australia, are not eligible.
• International students and people on a student visa are not eligible.

The Department of Training and Workforce Development’s VET Fees and charges policy- (opens in a new tab) outlines eligibility for subsidised training in WA.

The following people will be entitled to a concession rate on the Lower fees, local skills courses. 

• Persons born on or after 1 July 2003, who are aged 15 years or older and have left school
• Persons and dependents of persons in receipt of services from one of the following Commonwealth support or employment services programs:
  • Jobactive 
  • Online Employment Services
  • ParentsNext 
• Persons and dependents of persons receiving the Youth Allowance, AUSTUDY or ABSTUDY
• Persons and dependents of persons holding:
  • a pensioner concession card or Health Care Card; or
  • a Repatriation Health Benefits Card issued by the Department of Veterans' Affairs
• Dependents of persons who are inmates of a custodial institution

The half price rates under Lower fees, local skills apply only to course fees, and these are set by the Department of Training and Workforce Development's VET fees and charges policy.

You may need to pay other fees — that will depend on the qualification you choose. For example; if you do the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery, you may need to pay for specialist equipment such as a knife. Or some courses may require you to purchase a workbook and there will be a resource fee for that. Our Customer Services Team can provide details of any such fees that apply to the course you're interested in. 

The "annual fees cap" means that regardless of how much your annual course fees actually are, under Lower fees, local skills you will not pay more than the capped amount.  There are two-course fee caps, which one you pay depends on whether you are entitled to receive a concession rate or are aged at least 15 years of age but have not reached the end of the year in which you turn 25.

• The concession rate annual course fee cap for Lower fees, local skills qualifications is $400, from the date the new fee applied.
• The non-concession rate course fee cap for Lower fees, local skills qualifications is $1,200, from the date the new fee applied.

All students aged 15—24 years of age are eligible for the annual concession fee cap of $400 per qualification/course per year on all Lower fees, local skills qualifications, from the date the new fee applied. 

 The following people will be entitled to a concession rate course fees cap of $400. 

• Persons aged 15—24 years at the time of enrolment (excluding students enrolled at school)
• Persons and dependents of persons in receipt of services from one of the following Commonwealth support or employment services program:
  • Jobactive
  • Online Employment Services
  • ParentsNext 
• Persons and dependents of persons in receipt of the Youth Allowance, AUSTUDY or ABSTUDY
• Persons and dependents of persons holding:
  • a pensioner concession card or Health Care Card; or
  • a Repatriation Health Benefits Card issued by the Department of Veterans' Affairs
• Dependents of persons who are inmates of a custodial institution

The non-concession rate course fee cap for Lower fees, local skills qualifications is $1,200.

The annual course fee caps under Lower fees, local skills are applied at qualification/course level for the calendar year.

For example; if you complete two courses in one year, the course fees will be capped for each course.

Under Lower fees, local skills the $400 course fee cap applies to units of competency that are commenced by concession students, and by people aged between 15 and 24 years.

If you are turning 25 during your course, please speak to your TAFE college or training provider to check what course fees and/or price caps will apply. 

The Lower fees, local skills program commenced on 1 January 2020, with half price course fees to be in place for eligible courses until 31 December 2025.

Any units of competency commenced by new or continuing students in the selected qualifications between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021 will attract the half price course fees. Any units of competency commenced outside of this period will attract the regular course fees.

39 additional qualifications were added on 2 July 2020.

Any units of competency commenced by new or continuing students in the selected qualifications between 1 July 2020 and 31 December 2021 will attract the half price course fees. Any units of competency commenced outside of this period will attract the regular course fees.

The Lower fees, local skills qualifications are available whether you study full time, part time or even online.

The half price course fee rates and annual fee caps will also be available for units of competency that are commenced between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021, where those units form part of a Lower fees, local skills qualification from the date of the new fee arrangement.

If you have already started one of the Lower fees, local skills qualifications and will be continuing it in 2020/21, you will pay the half price course fees for any units of competency in that qualification that you commence from the date the new fee applied.

Yes! Some of the Lower fees, local skills half price qualifications are available as an apprenticeship or traineeship, which means as an apprentice or trainee you or your employer would be eligible for the half price course fees and annual course fee caps. 

Pre-apprenticeships and pre-traineeships courses are also available under Lower fees, local skills; to help you prepare to get an apprenticeship or traineeship.

Please note that the lower course fee rates under Lower fees, local skills and the annual course fee cap apply only to units of competency within a course or qualification that you commence from the date the new fee applied to 31 December 2025. 

If your apprenticeship or traineeship is likely to go beyond 2025, please speak to your TAFE college or training provider for information on how this might affect your course fees. 

Please note: In addition to course fees, you may be required to pay other fees for resources that are specifically needed for your course. Please check with your TAFE college or training provider for details. 

The $1,000 grant can only be put towards additional construction related (separate to your apprenticeship training). It cannot be used to reduce the costs of apprenticeship training outlined in your training plan.

For further information about the $1,000 training grant for building and construction apprentices and trainees, please visit the CTF website (opens in a new tab)

If you re-commence units that form part of one of the Lower fees, local skills qualifications between the date the new fee applied and 31 December 2025, you will still be eligible for the half price course fee rates and fee caps.

If you have to withdraw from the course, you are entitled to a refund of the course fee and 50% of the resource fee for units that you withdraw from, before the unit withdrawal date. Please contact our Client Services Team for more information.

New qualifications have been added to the Lower fees, local skills program at different stages.

• If you commenced units in a qualification prior to the date it was included in the program, you will pay the regular course fee rate for those units.
• If you commenced units on or after the date that qualification was included in the program, the Lower fees, local skills fee rates and annual course fee caps will apply to those units only.  For these units, you will be eligible for a refund.

 A full list of all qualifications in the Lower fees, local skills program, can be found on the Lower fees, local skills course list. Should you have any queries, your TAFE college or training provider can confirm the date your course was included in the Lower fees, local skills program. 

 If you think you may have overpaid for your Lower fees, local skills course, please contact your TAFE college or training provider to request an adjustment to your invoice and a refund of the difference.

The Lower fees, local skills program commenced on 1 January 2020, with half price course fees to be in place for eligible courses. 

A full list of all qualifications currently in the Lower fees, local skills program can be found here on the Lower fees, local skills course list document (select the Lower fees, local skills tab).

Please refer to your TAFE college or training provider for further information.

For the Lower fees, local skills program, new qualifications have been added at different stages.

• If you commenced units in a qualification prior to the date it was included in the program, you will pay the regular course fee rate for those units.
• If you commenced units on or after the date that a qualification was included in the program, the Lower fees, local skills fee rates and annual course fee caps will apply to those units only.  For these units, you will be eligible for a refund.

A full list of all qualifications in the Lower fees, local skills program can be found here on the Lower fees, local skills course list document (select the Lower fees, local skills tab).

Should you have any queries, your TAFE college or training provider can confirm the date your course was included in the Lower fees, local skills program.

The Australian Government offers VET Student Loans (VSL) only for courses at Diploma or Advanced Diploma level. If your Lower fees, local skills qualification is at Diploma or Advanced Diploma level, you may be eligible for VSL. Because the job ready skill sets are not full qualifications, they are not eligible for VSL.

A vocational education and training (VET) qualification is made up of a number of units of competency, and each of those units has defined learning outcomes based on the skills and knowledge it covers. Each unit of competency has a set number of "nominal hours" i.e. the indicative hours required to deliver and assess the unit. 

Individual units of competency are also used to develop skill sets or short courses, that target a specific skills area. 

Eligible students can apply to get a loan to pay for their fees through the Australian Government’s VET Student Loans scheme (VSL). Under this scheme, once you’re employed and your income exceeds a set level, you start repaying the loan through the tax system. For more information click here, visit the Australian Government's VET Student Loans website (opens in a new tab)  or contact the student hotline on 1800 020 108.