Smart & Skilled is a NSW Government program that subsidises nationally recognised qualifications, so you pay a student fee rather than the full cost of the course. NCVE (RTO 90283) is a Smart & Skilled approved training provider, and we assess your eligibility as part of enrolment — you don’t apply separately.
The NSW Government sets the student fee for each qualification and pays the balance directly to the provider. What you pay depends on the course and on your circumstances, and some students qualify for a fee exemption and pay $0. Smart & Skilled is a NSW scheme and eligibility criteria apply.
Two things, depending on the level of the qualification.
An entitlement to government-subsidised training. If you meet the eligibility criteria, the subsidy is yours — it isn’t rationed by course.
Subsidised training in selected priority areas only. Not every higher-level qualification is funded, so it’s worth checking the specific course.
The NSW Government sets your student fee for each qualification and pays the subsidy directly to NCVE (RTO 90283).
There are four conditions, and all four have to be met. To be eligible you must:
That’s the whole test. There is no income limit and you don’t need a concession card to be eligible — a card affects how much you pay, not whether you qualify.
You can also check against the NSW Government’s own criteria at smartandskilled.nsw.gov.au.
NSW releases a limited number of fee-free places on selected qualifications. Five of ours are on that list.
You may be eligible for a fee concession if you are enrolling in a Certificate IV or below qualification and hold one of the following valid cards:
Concessions also apply to the dependent spouse or child of a cardholder.
If you identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you are automatically eligible for a concession fee — regardless of the qualification level you choose.
You will not be charged course fees if you meet any of the following:
These exemptions apply at every qualification level, not just Certificate IV and below.
It depends on your course, your circumstances, and whether a fee-free place is available. Rather than guess, use the calculator — it takes about two minutes.
Eligibility for Smart & Skilled funding is assessed by NCVE as part of our enrolment process — there is no separate application to the government. As an approved provider, NCVE will:
That last step includes generating and keeping a Notification of Enrolment Report — Provider Copy, completing your enrolment before your official course start date, submitting your training activity data within 28 days of commencement, and giving you a Notification of Enrolment — Student Copy for your records.
Yes. Under Smart & Skilled, students may be eligible for:
Any of these can change your fee, because your fee is calculated on what you still need to complete. Talk to us before you enrol rather than after — call 1800 180 881.
More detail is on the NSW Government site: how to get started.
The NSW Government publishes the full Smart & Skilled Fee Administration Policy. Everything on this page follows it.
This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.
What is Smart & Skilled?
Smart & Skilled is a NSW Government program that subsidises nationally recognised qualifications. The government sets a student fee for each qualification and pays the subsidy directly to the training provider, so you pay the student fee rather than the full cost of the course. NCVE (RTO 90283) is a Smart & Skilled approved provider.
Am I eligible for Smart & Skilled?
You need to meet four conditions: live or work in NSW; be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen; be 15 years of age or older; and no longer be attending school or equivalent. There is no income test, and you do not need a concession card to be eligible.
Do I need to apply to the government for Smart & Skilled?
No. NCVE assesses your eligibility as part of the enrolment process. We collect the evidence, confirm your fee using the NSW Government’s Provider Calculator, and complete the Notification of Enrolment before your training begins.
Which NCVE courses have fee-free places?
Five: CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support, CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services, BSB40320 Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business, and SIT20322 Certificate II in Hospitality. New places open in July and January each year. Places are limited, and once they are taken the usual student fee applies until the next release.
Do I need a concession card to get a concession fee?
For a concession fee, yes — a Commonwealth Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Veteran’s Gold Card, or another card approved by the Minister, at Certificate IV level and below. The dependent spouse or child of a cardholder also qualifies. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students qualify for a concession automatically, at any qualification level.
Who pays no course fees at all?
Students who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; students who meet the Smart & Skilled disability criteria, with evidence such as a Disability Support Pension or medical documentation; and dependents of a Disability Support Pension recipient. These exemptions apply at every qualification level.
Is every course subsidised?
No. At Certificate III and below, eligible students have an entitlement to subsidised training. At Certificate IV and above, only selected priority areas are subsidised, so it is worth checking the specific qualification before you enrol.
Can I use Smart & Skilled if I live outside NSW?
No. Smart & Skilled is a NSW Government program and you need to live or work in NSW. NCVE delivers online Australia-wide on a fee-for-service basis for students in other states and territories.
Does RPL or credit transfer change what I pay?
Yes. Your fee is calculated on what you still need to complete, so recognised prior learning or credit for equivalent units already completed can reduce it. Raise it before you enrol on 1800 180 881, not after.
Work out your student fee — about two minutes, and it tells you what you’d actually pay for the course you’re looking at.
Studying aged care, disability, childcare or hospitality? NCVE arranges your work placement for you, Australia-wide — you don’t cold-call anyone.
Or talk to a person: 1800 180 881, or contact us.
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