Government Funded Courses in Western Australia

What are government-funded courses?

Government-funded courses are training programs where the WA Government pays part or all of your course fees directly to the training provider.

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, job-ready skills

All government-funded courses are nationally recognised, meaning your qualification is approved under Australia’s vocational education system and recognised by employers across the country.

What is Jobs and Skills WA?

Jobs and Skills WA is how the Western Australian Government invests in training and workforce development, through vocational education. The Skills WA program subsidises priority industry training across a broad range of sectors, covering:

• Apprenticeships and eligible traineeships
• General industry qualifications
• Foundation skills and equity courses

Who’s eligible?

To access a subsidised training place in Western Australia, you must have left school, and your primary place of residence must be in WA. You must also be one of the following:

• Australian citizen
• Permanent visa holder
• New Zealand citizen
• Bridging Visa E holder (subclasses 050 and 051) who has made a valid application for a visa of subclass 785 or 790
• Ukrainian citizen holding a visa subclass 449 or 786

Note: First Nations people, young people, people out of work or receiving income support, unpaid carers, people with disability, and women facing economic insecurity are particularly encouraged to take advantage of available fee-free courses and subsidised training.

What courses are available?

Government-funded courses are available across a wide range of in-demand industries and qualification levels.

Priority study areas include:

• Aged care and individual support
• Early childhood education and care
• Community services and disability
• Nursing and allied health
• Building and construction
• Information technology and cyber security
• Hospitality and retail
• Business and administration
• Engineering and automotive
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

Course costs and financial support

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

Skills WA subsidies

• The government pays a portion of your course fees directly to the provider
• You may only need to pay a small gap fee — or nothing at all
• Additional fees, such as student service and resource fees, may still apply, as providers set these independently

Lower Fees, Local Skills

• A targeted fee relief program that reduces course fees by half or more for eligible students
• Covers Certificate III and Certificate IV qualifications across priority industries
• Fee caps per year are:
  • Non-concession students: maximum $1,200
  • Concession students and youth under 25: maximum $400
  • Secondary school-aged persons not enrolled at school: maximum $420

Concession rates

You may be eligible for the concession rate if you hold or receive:

• A Pensioner Concession Card or Repatriation Health Benefits Card
• Youth Allowance, Austudy, or ABSTUDY
• Services from Workforce Australia, ParentsNext, or other Commonwealth employment support programs
• You are a dependent of a person who is an inmate of a custodial institution
• You are a secondary school-aged person not enrolled at school

Severe financial hardship: In certain circumstances, a fee waiver may be available. A formal application with supporting evidence is required.

VET student loans

• Available for some Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses
• Allows you to defer your student tuition fees until you’re earning
• Repayments only begin once your income reaches a set threshold
• Not all courses or providers are approved — check before enrolling

Fee-free training

• Available through several programs, covering full qualifications and short-course skill sets
• Skill sets under fee-free arrangements incur no tuition or resource fees
• For full qualifications, a resource fee may still apply to cover materials such as workbooks and uniforms
• Fee-free building and construction courses are available at WA TAFEs and approved providers until the end of 2026

Apprenticeships and traineeships

Many government-funded training pathways in WA are linked to an apprenticeship or traineeship, combining structured learning with real work experience. You can sign up even if you’re at a different stage in your life as a school-based apprentice, a school leaver, an existing worker, or an adult re-entering the workforce or changing careers.

Apprenticeships

• Typically takes 3–4 years to complete
• Focus on trade-based careers such as engineering, automotive, building and construction, hairdressing, and cookery

Traineeships

• Usually takes 1–2 years to complete
• Cover areas such as IT, sport and fitness, childcare, aged care, beauty therapy, and business

Eligible trade apprentices may also access the Australian Apprentices Support Loan of up to $25,643 to help cover the cost of tools, supplies, and living expenses.

Other Support Available

Foundation skills and equity courses

• Subsidised courses that develop language, literacy, numeracy, digital skills, and employability
• Available to people of all ages and backgrounds
• Do not count towards qualification caps for other funded programs

Job-ready programs

• Short work readiness programs combining training with an industry work placement
• Help participants move into employment, an apprenticeship or traineeship, or further study
• Free for eligible participants across construction, digital skills, administration, and early childhood education

Skills Recognition Apprenticeship Program (SRAP)

• For experienced construction workers looking to have existing skills counted towards a trades qualification
• 100% free for eligible applicants

Skills checkpoint for older workers

• Available to Western Australians aged 40 and over
• Provides personalised career assessment and one-on-one support at no cost
• Co-funding contribution of up to $2,200 toward an eligible training course
• Available to those currently employed and at risk of income support, or recently unemployed within the last 12 months

Jobs and skills centres

• Located across Perth and regional WA
• Free support, advice, and information on funded training, career pathways, and funding options

Centrelink assistance

Options include Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY, Education Entry Payment, Pensioner Education Supplement, Student Start-up Loan, and Rent Assistance depending on age, income, study load, and personal circumstances.

Where can you study?

Government-funded training is available across metropolitan Perth and regional Western Australia. Key locations include:

• Perth
• Fremantle
• Joondalup
• Midland
• Rockingham
• Mandurah
• Bunbury
• Geraldton
• Kalgoorlie
• Broome
• Albany

Enquire about a government-funded course today!

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

Visit Jobs and Skills WA to browse available courses, check your eligibility, and find a registered training provider near you.