JobTrainer

As part of its Economic Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Australian Government has partnered with the Victorian Government to provide additional access to free or low-fee training places for Victorians who have been most impacted by the crisis.

Job seekers and young people, including school leavers, can now take advantage of subsidised training to learn skills for in-demand jobs, in areas such as health, aged and disability care, IT and trades.

What courses can I study?

Am I eligible?

To apply for a JobTrainer place, a person must be:

17 to 24 years old when the course starts; or
a job seeker of any age.

They must not have commenced a full qualification under JobTrainer before.

Eligible students can commence only one qualification and one skill set under JobTrainer, even if they do not complete their JobTrainer course, so need to consider their training choices carefully.

Frequently asked questions

What is JobTrainer?

JobTrainer is a joint Commonwealth and State Government initiative which provides additional funding to increase access to free or low fee training places for young people and job seekers who have been most affected by the COVID-19.

JobTrainer complements the existing subsidised training available under Skills First as well as Free TAFE, and is expected to run until 31 December 2021.

How can I apply and when could I start studying?

Please click through to the course page you are interested in via the above list for specific start dates and to apply.

Your application will be assessed against the eligibility criteria and your offer letter will outline if you have been offered a low or fee-free tuition place – as well as any fees you may be required to pay.

How do I prove my age or job seeker status for eligibility purposes?

Any legally accepted proof of age documentation is accepted e.g. driver’s license, passport, photo ID proof of ID card.

If you are over 24 years and a job seeker we accept the following supporting evidence:

a current and valid Health Care Card issued by the Commonwealth, Pensioner Concession Card or Veteran’s Gold Card;
a separation certificate from your employer;
a letter from an employer or company receiver on company letterhead stating that you have been made, or will be made, redundant or retrenched; or
if you don’t have one of the three previous accepted evidences, a signed self-declaration that you are currently unemployed.

What if the course I want to apply for is available under both JobTrainer and Free TAFE?

You should apply for the course you’re interested in via its specific course page as soon as possible. We will review your application against the eligibility criteria and your offer letter will outline whether you have been offered a government-subsidised, low or fee-free place at Swinburne. Your offer letter will also outline any fees you may be required to pay.

I’ve already completed a Free TAFE course. Can I apply for a JobTrainer course as well?

Yes! If you have previously enrolled in a Free TAFE course you can still apply for a JobTrainer course (if you meet the eligibility criteria). Your application will be assessed and your offer letter will outline whether you have been offered a government-subsidised, low or fee-free place at Swinburne. Your offer letter will also outline any fees you may be required to pay.

If I complete a JobTrainer course, can I still apply for Free TAFE in the future?

If you enrol in a course under the JobTrainer initiative that is also on the Free TAFE list, and you have not enrolled in a Free TAFE listed course previously (at any organisation), you may be able to apply to complete a Free TAFE course in the future.

Can asylum seekers participate in JobTrainer?

Yes. An asylum seeker who is participating in the Asylum Seeker VET Program is exempt from the citizenship and residency requirements and so can participate in JobTrainer.