Check your eligibility for Skills First funding
You may be eligible to have some of your training course fees subsidised
On this page
- What is Skills First funding?
- Skills First eligibility
- Skills First fee concessions
- Access fee waiver for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
- Upskilling requirement removed
- Your options if you are not eligible for Skills First
- General information and next steps
- More free help and resources
The best place to start when you want to start training is to find out if you are eligible for a government-subsidised training place. You will also need to research and choose the training provider that is going to meet your needs.
What is Skills First funding?
Skills First is a Victorian Government program that provides access to government-subsidised training for courses in growth industries.
If you are eligible, your tuition fees will be lower.
Skills First training includes qualifications and some skill sets. It provides:
- support for apprentices and trainees
- options for older workers to retrain and upskill as Victoria’s economy changes
- a commitment to high-quality training
- support for students facing barriers to study
- support for First Nations students
- more training options for regional students.
Not all training providers can deliver government-subsidised training, and some courses are only offered as full-fee courses.
Skills First eligibility
From 1 January 2023, you need to meet these requirements to be eligible for Skills First subsidised training:
Citizenship
You must be:
- an Australian citizen, or
- an Australian permanent resident, or
- a New Zealand citizen.
Physical location
You must be physically present in Victoria or in a designated border region while participating in training and assessment.
Course limits
Skills First funding is limited to:
- 2 courses at a time
- 2 courses in a year.
Find out more about Skills First.
Skills First fee concessions
The Victorian Government offers eligible students discounted course fees. Training providers offer concessions on Skills First training courses in Victoria.
Concessions are available for Certificate IV level and below courses, and skill sets. You will need to hold one of the following valid concession cards:
- Health Care Card
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Veteran’s Gold Card.
You can also get a concession if you are a dependent spouse or a dependent child of a card holder.
This also applies if you are enrolled under the Asylum Seeker VET Program (even if you don’t have a concession card).
Access fee waiver for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians can do any VET qualification under Skills First without the cost of tuition fees. Students can get the Aboriginal access fee waiver at any Skills First training provider.
Upskilling requirement removed
As of 1 January 2023, the Skills First upskilling requirement has been completely removed.
This means that you can enrol into a Skills First subsidised training course, regardless of the highest qualification you hold.
For example, if you hold an Advanced Diploma or a Degree, you can enrol in a Skills First subsidised Certificate II.
Your options if you are not eligible for Skills First
Other financial assistance
If you are doing a course which is Diploma level or above, you may be eligible for a VET Student Loan.
If you are doing a Certificate level course, talk to your training provider about your financial options.
Asylum seekers
If you are an asylum seeker, you may be eligible for the Asylum seeker VET program.
Overseas students
If you are an overseas student, you are not eligible for Skills First funding, but you may be able to get other government assistance for study. See the Australian Government Study Assist Non-Australian Citizens page(opens in a new window) for more information.
General information and next steps
Training providers can set their own fees, so they’ll vary between courses and providers.
Contact your preferred training provider to find out if you’re eligible for Skills First when you apply for a course. Ask them to:
- confirm your eligibility
- confirm if they have a Skills First place available.
You will need to provide documents such as proof of your citizenship or residency, and details about any study you have done. Check our guide on preparing to be assessed for government assistance.
For general information about Skills First funding and eligibility, contact the TAFE and Training Line or a Skills and Jobs Centre.
More free help and resources
Get help with TAFE and training
Get free help from the TAFE and Training Line, and free advice from a Skills and Jobs Centre. Find out your rights as a student.
Get financial assistance for training and other expenses
You may be eligible for Free TAFE or Skills First funding to help pay for your training.
TAFE and Training Line
Get help and information about TAFE and training courses, qualifications and training providers in Victoria.
Skills and Jobs Centres
Get free qualified, independent advice and support on training, career planning and finding a job in your local area.
Training and careers in growing industries
Learn about high demand industries in Victoria. Find out where you could work, what kind of jobs you could do, and what training you’ll need.
Updated 15 January 2026
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