This is a guide only, applicants are advised to complete our ‘Smart and Skilled’ Eligibility Criteria form or contact us directly to discuss their eligibility for the various programs available.

To be eligible for NSW Smart and Skilled funding applicants must be:

• 15 years old or older;
• no longer at school or home-schooled;
• living or working in NSW
• an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, Australian humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen;

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants who do not live or work in New South Wales but live in specific defined interstate NSW border areas are eligible for government-subsidised training under ‘Smart and Skilled’.

Applicants can also check their eligibility for ‘Smart and Skilled’ funding here: https://education.nsw.gov.au/skills-nsw/apprentices-and-trainees/low-cost-and-free-training-options/smart-and-skilled

Applicants who are not eligible for ‘Smart and Skilled’ funding have the option of applying to enrol as a self-funded student. For more information please contact us on 1300 783 283 or email us at [email protected] .

Since January 2015, all students participating in Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications are required to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). Australian College is required under Commonwealth Law to have the USI recorded for the student’s training as part of the enrolment process.

Applicants are required to create their own USI by accessing the USI website here: https://www.usi.gov.au/students.

Please note: The USI will be used for reporting Training Activity Data to the Department of Education.

• Apply to Enrol Online
• Complete the Consent to Use and Disclosure of Personal Information Form

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is all about the skills and knowledge an individual has collected through work and life experience and then transferring them to current training course requirements. RPL must take place at the start of training, apprenticeship or traineeship after enrolling with a Registered Training Provider (RTO).

Credit Transfer also recognises previous formal learning (e.g. completion of other qualifications). It uses an assessment of previous courses completed to determine whether it can be credited to the new course. The assessment determines the extent to which the previous course is equivalent to the required learning outcomes or the applicants desired qualification.

For more information on RPL and Credit Transfer please see our policy available currently on our website here or contact us on 1300 783 283 or email [email protected].

Australian College is aware of its obligation to provide consumer protection for all students according to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, the NSW Fair Trading Act 1987, the NVR Standards for RTO’s 2015 and the Smart and Skilled Consumer Protection Policy.

Australian College is committed to ethical conduct as per all its Policies and Procedures, such as Consumer Protection Policy, Marketing and Advertising Policy, Enrolment Policy, Access and Equity Policy, Complaints and Appeals Handling Policy and Privacy Policy.

New applicants and current Students can also access the ‘Consumer Protection’ information provided by Smart and Skilled on their website here.

It is important to us that our students have the support they need to complete their training course. Australian College has a range of support services available, such as:

• Internal support via trainer/assessor, administration staff, management team.
• Identifying language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) skills required for learning or referrals to LLN external programs.
• Online learning resources and/or programs to increase access for learners who may require additional support such as learning materials in alternative formats, e.g, in large print.
• Referrals to counselling services – please, be aware that there may be costs associated with external support services.

Student Support – External Services

• For support with reading, writing or basic maths, the following website may assist: https://www.readingwritinghotline.edu.au/

Phone No. 1300 655 506 or email: [email protected]

• For support with your wellbeing and mental health you can find help with:
• Beyond Blue

24/7 personal crisis support and suicide prevention

Phone: 1300 224 636

Chat online: 3.00pm to 12.00am / 7 days a week

• Lifeline

24/7 personal crisis support and suicide prevention

Phone: 13 11 14

• Headspace

National Youth Mental Health Association

Phone: 1800 650 890

Australian College Contact Details
Phone: 1300 783 283 or 02 9386 2500
Email: [email protected]

Smart and Skilled contact details
Phone: 1300 772 104
Email: [email protected]