Government Funded Courses in South Australia

What are government-funded courses?

The South Australian Government pays part or all of your course fees directly to the training provider through government-subsidised training.

This means:

• You may pay reduced fees or nothing at all
• Training is aligned with industries that need workers
• Courses are designed to deliver practical skills and job-ready qualifications

All government-funded courses in South Australia are nationally recognised training, meaning the qualifications you gain are approved under Australia’s vocational education system and recognised by employers across the country.

What is skilling South Australia?

Skilling South Australia is the Government of South Australia’s primary VET program, focused on:

• Increasing apprenticeships and traineeships
• Addressing skills shortages across priority industries
• Supporting long-term employment outcomes for South Australians

Priority industries include healthcare and community services, cyber security and IT, construction and trades, and defence and advanced manufacturing.

If you’re eligible, your training is subsidised upfront through the Skilling South Australia initiative — so you won’t need to pay full course fees at enrolment.

Who’s eligible?

To access a subsidised training place in South Australia, you must meet residency, visa, and eligibility criteria.

Residency requirements

You must live or be employed in South Australia.

Citizenship and visa eligibility

You must be one of the following:

• Australian citizen
• Permanent Australian resident
• New Zealand citizen
• Eligible visa holder

Eligible visas include certain bridging visas, temporary visas listed on the subsidised training list, provisional visas, temporary humanitarian concern visas, and repealed provisional visas. Holders of a skilled employer-sponsored regional visa, regional sponsored visa, and skilled independent visa may also qualify, depending on their employment status and visa type. Always confirm your eligibility for a visa with an approved training provider before enrolling.

Age and schooling requirements

• If you are 16 or older and still in school, you must complete training through the Training Guarantee for SACE Students (TGSS), which combines VET with school-based curriculum studies
• If you are under 16 and not enrolled in school, you must complete training through a formal training contract

Additional eligibility criteria

Eligibility for subsidised courses may also depend on:

• Your prior qualifications and training history
• Your employment status
• The course you choose
• Available funded places
• Whether you have previously completed two subsidised courses at the same level

Note: Under the standard entitlement, eligible students may access up to two subsidised VET courses per year. Always confirm your eligibility criteria with an approved training provider before enrolling.

Do you need a traineeship or apprenticeship?

In most cases, yes — government-funded training in South Australia is linked to a traineeship or apprenticeship. You will usually need to:

• Be employed with an organisation
• Enter into a formal training contract
• Complete training alongside on-the-job experience

Courses that don’t require a traineeship

Some qualifications on the Training Priority List can be completed without a traineeship. These are typically in high-demand industries, designed to address skills shortages, and subject to availability and eligibility.

Apprenticeships and traineeships in South Australia

Apprenticeships and traineeships combine structured learning with real work experience, leading to nationally recognised training qualifications.

Apprenticeships — typically 3–4 years, covering trade-based careers such as construction, engineering, automotive, hairdressing, and cookery.

Traineeships — usually 1–2 years, covering areas such as business administration, information technology, community services, early childhood education, and health care.

Financial Support for Apprentices

Eligible apprentices may access the Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan (up to $25,643 in 2024–25) to help cover tools and equipment, living expenses, and study-related costs.

Course costs and financial support

Government-funded training significantly reduces the cost of studying in South Australia, and additional financial support may be available.

Government Subsidies

• The South Australian Government pays a portion — or all — of your course fees
• You may only need to pay a small gap fee, or nothing at all
• Subsidised training places are allocated based on eligibility and course availability

Concession Rates

You may be eligible for further reduced fees if you hold or receive:

• A Pensioner Concession Card
• A Repatriation Health Benefits Card
• Income support payments such as Youth Allowance, Austudy, or ABSTUDY
• Support through Workforce Australia

VET Student Loans

• Available for some Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses
• Allows you to defer tuition fees until you’re earning
• Repayments only begin once your income reaches a set threshold
• The 2026 HELP loan limit is $129,883 for most students
• Not all courses or providers are approved — check before enrolling

Fee-Free TAFE and Foundation Skills Training

In addition to subsidised VET courses, eligible students may access fee-free TAFE in selected areas. Fee-free training is typically available to:

• Job seekers
• People receiving income support payments
• Individuals returning to non-school education and training

These programs are designed to reduce barriers to education, improve workforce participation, and support well-being services for those who need them most.

What courses are available?

Government-funded courses in South Australia are available across a wide range of in-demand industries and qualification levels, from Certificate III through to Advanced Diploma. Funded qualifications include:

• Certificate III and IV in Individual Support and Aged Care
• Certificate III and IV in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Certificate III and IV in Community Services and Disability
• Certificate III and IV in Mental Health
• Certificate III and IV in Nursing and Allied Health
• Certificate III and IV in Information Technology and Cyber Security
• Certificate III and IV in Building and Construction
• Certificate III and IV in Business Administration and HR
• Certificate III and IV in Work Health and Safety
• Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation
• Diploma of Community Services
• Diploma of Mental Health
• Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Visit the Skilling South Australia website to find subsidised training opportunities in your area and confirm your eligibility with an approved training provider.

Where can you study?

Government-funded training is available across metropolitan and regional South Australia, with training opportunities in both online and hands-on delivery modes. Key locations include:

• Adelaide (CBD)
• Adelaide Hills
• Mount Gambier
• Victor Harbor
• Whyalla
• Port Augusta
• Port Lincoln
• Murray Bridge
• Gawler
• Barossa Valley
• Riverland
• Yorke Peninsula
• Eyre Peninsula
• Fleurieu Peninsula

Enquire about a government-funded course today!

Government-funded courses make it easier to access subsidised training and gain in-demand skills without the financial burden. Whether you’re starting a new career, upskilling in your current role, or changing industries, there are subsidised training options available across South Australia.

Browse available government-funded courses in SA, check your eligibility criteria, and access subsidised training today.