Government-funded training made accessible

Learn new skills and build your career with subsidised courses available through The Community College.

Which funding applies to your course?

Smart and Skilled

Supports vocational qualifications from Certificate II to IV and traineeships. Ideal for learners wanting to build job-ready skills or advance their careers.

ACE (Adult and Community Education)

Provides funding for foundation and Certificate I–III courses. Designed for learners who need extra support, including those facing barriers to training or employment.

NSA Foundation Skills

Offers no- or low-fee training in language, literacy, numeracy, and digital skills. Funded under the Australian Government’s National Skills Agreement and delivered in partnership with states and territories.

Targeted Skills for Small Business (TSB)

Fully subsidised short courses in areas like IT, business services, and foundation skills. Available to small business owners and employees of small businesses or not-for-profit organisations.

Tech Savvy Seniors Funding (TSS)

NSW Tech Savvy Seniors funding supports seniors to build skills and confidence to use and adapt to new technology.

Traineeships (Smart and Skilled)

Combines paid workplace training with a nationally recognised qualification. Suitable for employers and staff wanting to grow skills through practical, on-the-job learning.

Smart and Skilled

Smart and Skilled is a NSW Government initiative that helps people gain the skills they need for work and career advancement. Through this program, The Community College offers subsidised courses to support learners at all stages — from foundation skills to higher-level qualifications.

Smart and Skilled courses are available through three key initiatives:

  • Foundation skills – improve your language, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy to become job-ready.
  • Certificate III entitlement – government-subsidised training for eligible learners up to and including Certificate III.
  • Higher-level qualifications – funding support for selected Certificate IV and above courses in priority industry areas.

Eligibility

To be eligible for Smart and Skilled funding, you must be:

  • aged 15 years or over
  • living or working in NSW
  • no longer at school
  • an Australian citizen, permanent resident, permanent humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen.

Home-schooled students may also meet the eligibility criteria.

Find out more on the Smart and Skilled website.

Adult and Community Education (ACE)

As an NSW Adult and Community Education provider, The Community College can offer funding for training up to and including Certificate III.

The ACE program is designed to assist people who face barriers to study or employment — including disadvantaged learners, job seekers, and those living in regional or remote areas. This funding provides additional support to help students build confidence, learn new skills, and access further training or work opportunities.

Eligibility

To be eligible for ACE funding, you must be:

  • aged 15 years or over
  • living or working in NSW
  • no longer at school
  • an Australian citizen, permanent resident, permanent humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen.

Home-schooled students may also meet the eligibility criteria.

And also fall into just one of the below categories:

  • an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
  • someone with a disability or is the dependent child, spouse or partner of someone with a disability
  • a recipient of a Centrelink Applicable Benefit, or is dependent child, spouse or partner of a recipient of an Applicable Benefit
  • someone who has a physical or mental impairment
  • someone with low language, literacy, numeracy, and digital skills
  • someone who identifies as culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD)

Is either:

  • Unemployed
  • Underemployed (working less than 25 hours per week)
  • Returning to the workforce after a gap of 12 months or more
  • Looking to reskill or upskill due to unforeseen circumstances such as covid-19 impact, industry closure, recovery from illness or mental health or are aged 55 years or older
  • Is affected by economic disadvantages
  • Is affected by personal circumstances
  • Is aged between 15-24 years and at risk of not otherwise progressing to further education, training, or employment.
  • Has not achieved a year 12 or equivalent

Find out more at nsw.gov.au.

National Skills Agreement – Foundation Skills (NSA FS)

The NSA Foundation Skills program is part of the Australian Government’s National Skills Agreement. It provides no- or low-fee training in reading, writing, numeracy, and digital literacy.
The program helps adults strengthen essential skills for everyday life, further study, and work.

Eligibility

To be eligible for NSA FS funding, you must be:

  • aged 15 years or over
  • living or working in NSW
  • an Australian citizen, permanent resident, permanent humanitarian visa holder, or New Zealand citizen.

Find out more on the National Skills Agreement.

Targeted Skills for Small Business (TSB)

Through the ACE program, The Community College also supports small business owners and their employees with fully subsidised training in key skill areas such as business services, information technology, and foundation skills.

Eligibility

To access this funding, you must be:

  • an owner of a small business, or
  • an employee of a small business or not-for-profit organisation.

Home-schooled students may also meet the eligibility criteria.

A small business is defined as one with 20 employees or fewer.

Tech Savvy Seniors Funding (TSS)

NSW Tech Savvy Seniors funding supports seniors to build skills and confidence to use and adapt to new technology.

Eligibility

To access this funding, you must be:

  • NSW Residents
  • Over 60 years of age
  • Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander elders over 50 years of age.

The NSW Government proudly supports this community-led partnership with funding provided under NSW Tech Savvy Seniors 2025-26 Grants Program.

Traineeships

Traineeships combine on-the-job training with nationally recognised qualifications. The NSW Government currently provides fee-free traineeships through Smart and Skilled funding. Trainees receive dedicated trainer support, with flexible workplace visits or classroom learning tailored to their needs.

Discounts

Seniors and Concession card holders receive a 10% discount on Leisure courses priced over $200.

Build skills with subsidised training

Access affordable, government-funded courses through The Community College. Our funded programs help adult learners gain new skills, earn qualifications, and improve career opportunities.