Skilled Capital (ACT)
Government Funding

Published 30 Mar 2020

Skilled Capital (ACT) Government Funding

Claudia Reiners

What is ACT Skilled Capital Government Funding?

Skilled Capital funding is a training initiative of the ACT government which provides a comprehensive range of services and subsidies for Canberrans. It aims to improve employment outcomes with high-quality training in areas of skills needs.

What does the Skilled Capital funding program provide?

The Skilled Capital program provides government subsidies for a range of qualifications, from Certificate II, to Certificate IV, Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas. Qualifications are delivered by approved RTOs and listed under the ACT Skills Needs List. The program also supports some Certificate II programs as pathways into higher-level qualifications.

If you participate in this program, not only will your course of study be subsidised, but you’ll be training in an area the Australian government has identified as having a high need for skills in Canberra and the ACT. This aims to maximise your employment opportunities.

Am I eligible for the ACT Skilled Capital funding?

You may be able to access Skilled Capital funding if the following eligibility criteria apply to you at the time of enrolment:

You are aged 15 years or older
Live or work in the ACT
Have left school
You are an Australian citizen or a permanent resident, or a New Zealand passport holder resident for over six months, or an eligible visa holder.
You are not attending or enrolled in secondary school or college – unless you are taking year 12 in an alternative program, or you have an Exemption Certificate and you choose a qualification in an approved ASBA pathway

Extra requirements for Certificate II qualifications

To qualify for a subsidised Certificate II qualification under the Skilled Capital program, you must also meet these additional requirements.

Your training provider must conduct an initial skills assessment, including a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) which proves that a Certificate II is an appropriate learning pathway for your skill levels

And either one of the following:

You have not completed a Certificate III or above, except for foundation skills qualifications, OR
Your circumstances have changed, impacting your ability to work or undertake training, eg. health problems.

What kinds of courses am I eligible for?

The qualifications available are shown on the qualifications and subsidies list.

Your previous education and training do not affect your eligibility for Certificate III qualifications and above. There are two restrictions to this:

You can’t get a subsidy for a qualification that you completed in the last seven years
You can only get funding for one qualification at a time

Subsidised places are limited for each qualification, so your eligibility also depends on availability of places.

How much money do I contribute to the Skilled Capital (ACT) courses?

Each qualification has a set subsidy, no matter which approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO) you choose to study with. Course prices vary between RTOs.

Check the qualifications and subsidies list to see how much funding you can get.

How do I apply for Skilled Capital (ACT) funding?

The first step to apply for the Skilled Capital program is to check which qualifications are available, and to find a training provider approved to deliver the course.

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