The Skills First Program is the way that training providers are contracted in Victoria to deliver government-subsidised training to individuals.
*Skills First funding is currently unavailable for 2026. We will update this page when new funding places open. In the meantime, please review the eligibility guidelines below and submit an inquiry for assistance with available study options.
Citizenship/residency
A student must be either:
Physically present in Victoria or a border region
A student must be undertaking all training and assessment while physically present in:
| NSW | SA |
|---|---|
| 2546 | 5262,5263 |
| 2548 – 2551 | 5267 – 5272 |
| 2625 – 2633 | 5277 – 5279 |
| 2640 – 2648 | 5290, 5291 |
| 2650, 2651, 2653, 2655, 2656 | 5302 – 5304 |
| 2658 – 2660 | 5311, 5333, 5340 |
| 2700, 2707 | 5342 – 5345 |
| 2710 – 2717 | |
| 2720 | |
| 2730 – 2739 |
The ‘2 Skill Sets in a year’ and ‘2 AQF qualifications in a year’ limits
The following scenario Do not count the following when determining if a student meets these limits:
The ‘2 at a time’ limit
ASYLUM SEEKER VET PROGRAM
Program settingsYou may exempt an individual from the citizenship/permanent residence eligibility criterion (as set out in Clause 2.2(a) of this Schedule 1) if they:
a) either:To know more about eligibility please refer to the eligibility document.
These guidelines describe the requirements about tuition fees and other fees associated with Skills First training, and the financial and accountability requirements for fees.
To know more about the fees, please refer to the fee document.
This charter explains what the department expects from training providers in their provision of key aspects of training services under the contract.
To know more please click here.
*The Western Australia Government offers a range of course at reduced fees under the Lower fees, local skills initiative.
Jobs and Skills WA provides a subsidised training place for eligible students enrolled in courses that are deemed State priority qualifications, where a training place is available.
Types of Funding:
The Participation Program focuses on the delivery of training for those sections of the population that are under-represented in the workforce and face barriers to mainstream training arrangements.
This program focuses on making available a range of qualifications that address priority industry needs of the State through a non employment-based training pathway.
This program has two target groups, jobseekers and existing workers. The qualifications offered may be delivered in any region throughout WA for both target groups.
Courses available under the DTWD Funding:
#Western Australia funded seats are subject to availability and approval
**Funding Exhausted for 2026
Citizenship/residency
A student must be a resident of Western Australia and must meet one of the below residency requirements for fee charging purposes, and is also eligible for fee waivers and concessions:
PARTICIPATION WORK READINESS (PWR)- Jobseeker
To be eligible for the program, students must be unemployed or under-employed and able to access mainstream training. Students must:
PRIORITY INDUSTRY TRAINING (PIT) – Existing Worker
Students must not have an active apprenticeship/traineeship training contract registered on WAAMS.
For more information, Visit https://www.dtwd.wa.gov.au/
Not Eligible for Funding?
IHNA offers a range of payment plans to help you with your course fees. Call our admissions team today to know more.
*Smart and Skilled provides eligible students with access to Government subsidised training in NSW. This includes an entitlement for all NSW citizens to undertake Apprenticeship and Traineeship training.
IHNA is an Approved Smart and Skilled Provider operating under the NSW Smart and Skilled Terms and Conditions and Operating Guidelines.
For more information, visit the official NSW Smart and Skilled website:
Courses available under Smart and Skilled Funding at IHNA (subject to seat availability and NSW Government approval):
| Course Code | Qualification Name |
|---|---|
| HLT37525 | Certificate III in Pathology Collection |
| HLT33115 | Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (Assisting in Nursing Work in Acute Care) |
| CHC33021 | Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) |
# NSW funded seats are subject to availability and approval.
Note: The NSW Skills List provides the nationally accredited qualifications and courses that eligible students may undertake. The schedule of fees for each qualification can be accessed at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/vocational/funding/smart-skilled-fees
Under Smart and Skilled, a student contributes towards the cost of training through the payment of a student fee. There are different categories of student fees based on the program, the qualification, and the characteristics of the student.
Some students may be eligible for fee-free training or a concession fee.
The Smart and Skilled Fee Administration Policy provides detailed guidance on fee arrangements and eligibility requirements for fee-free training or fee concessions.
Smart and Skilled Fee Administration PolicyTo enrol in a Smart and Skilled subsidised course at IHNA, prospective students must complete the following steps:
For full enrolment details and required forms, visit: How to Apply — IHNA Website
All students must have a valid Unique Student Identifier (USI) before they can be enrolled in any nationally accredited training, including Smart and Skilled funded courses.
A USI is a reference number made up of 10 numbers and letters that gives you access to your online USI account. You must provide your USI at the time of enrolment and it will be verified by IHNA.
How to create your USI:
Create or find your USI — usi.gov.au
RPL is an assessment process that assesses competency acquired through formal training, work experience, or other life experiences. If you believe you already have the knowledge and skills required for a unit, you may be eligible to apply for RPL and receive credit towards your qualification.
To apply for RPL, contact IHNA’s admissions team at the time of enrolment. Evidence will be assessed against the requirements of the relevant qualification.
Credit transfer recognises learning achieved through formal qualifications previously completed at IHNA or another Registered Training Organisation (RTO). If you have completed relevant units of competency, you may be eligible to receive credit, which may reduce the overall duration and cost of your course.
IHNA operates in accordance with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015 and the Australian Consumer Law. Students have the right to:
ASQA — Australian Skills Quality Authority
IHNA is committed to supporting students who may face barriers to education and training. Additional support is available for:
Prior to enrolment, IHNA assesses each student’s LLN skills to identify any support needs. Students who require additional assistance will be referred to appropriate support services or resources.
Eligible students may be entitled to concession fees under Smart and Skilled. Concession eligibility is assessed at the time of enrolment and is determined in accordance with the Smart and Skilled Fee Administration Policy.
IHNA warmly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to study with us. Culturally responsive support and student services are available. Contact our admissions team to learn more about targeted support and fee arrangements.
A person who is eligible to receive subsidised training in all Smart and Skilled Programs (except Smart and Skilled Entitlement Apprenticeships and Traineeships Program) is a person who, at the time of enrolment in a qualification or course on the NSW Skills List or a “short course” with a Smart and Skilled provider:
A student must declare that the information they provide with regards to eligibility is true, accurate, complete and not misleading.
The following exceptions apply to the eligibility criteria above:
The following table outlines the proof of eligibility requirements to access Smart and Skilled. All evidence must be able to be verified by IHNA. At the Department’s discretion, the Department may request that IHNA produce records for verification.
| Requirement | Acceptable Evidence | Evidence Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of identity | Unique Student Identifier (USI)
The Provider must ensure validity of the USI. |
Valid USI |
| Living or working in NSW | Living in NSW: any Commonwealth or NSW Government issued document providing evidence of living location. Working in NSW (if the student does not live in NSW): employer-issued document confirming employment in NSW. | Evidence sighted or collected by Provider |
| Australian citizen | Australian birth certificate; or Australian Passport; or Certificate of Australian Citizenship; or Green Medicare Card. | Evidence sighted or collected by Provider |
| New Zealand citizen | New Zealand birth certificate; or New Zealand Passport; or Green Medicare Card. | Evidence sighted or collected by Provider |
| Permanent Australian resident | Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status (CERS); or VEVO facility confirmation; or Green Medicare Card. | Evidence sighted or collected by Provider |
| Humanitarian visa holder / Partner visa holder | Relevant visa documentation; or ImmiCard (where appropriate). If on a Bridging Visa, a document from the Department of Home Affairs acknowledging the bridging visa is linked to a humanitarian visa application. | Evidence sighted or collected by Provider |
| Home school students | Copy of current certificate of home schooling registration, clearly indicating the period of registration. | Evidence sighted or collected by Provider |
| Date of Birth | USI Data | Valid USI |
| Registration as NSW apprentice or new entrant trainee | Training Contract identifier (TCID) number | Department system check against approved Training Contract |
| Year 10 Completion or Equivalent (if under 17) | Evidence that student has met school leaving age requirements | Student Declaration / Signature at enrolment |
| Postcode for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who lives in defined interstate NSW border areas | Any Commonwealth or NSW Government or local council issued document providing evidence of living location | Student Declaration / Signature at enrolment |
Note: Where the evidence provided by the student is a copy of the original, the copy must be certified by an approved witness. A list of approved witnesses is available at the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department website: www.ag.gov.au/Publications/Pages/Statutorvdeclarationsignatorylist.aspx
To know more about Smart and Skilled Fee administration policy click here
To learn about Smart and Skills Program in NSW Click here
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We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
I am a
Domestic Student
Who's a domestic student?
For the purpose of enrolment, IHNA considers you as a Domestic Student if,
I am an
International Student
Who's an International student?
For the purpose of enrolment, IHNA considers you as an International Student if,
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