Smart and Skilled
NSW Smart and Skilled gives eligible students:
- an entitlement to government-subsidised training up to and including Certificate III
- government funding for higher-level courses (Certificate IV and above) in targeted priority areas.
Vocational education and training (VET) gives people workplace skills and technical knowledge. The training offers a structured program designed by industry experts and based on industry needs.
Who is eligible?
Smart and Skilled course participants may include people who are:
- a NSW apprentice or trainee
or meet the following eligibility requirements
- 15 years old or over
- no longer at school or home-schooled students
- living or working in NSW (or an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person living in specific NSW border areas)
- an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen.
Check the Smart and Skilled Student Eligibility Policy.
Also see eligibility at Skills NSW
Young people (aged 15-30) may be eligible to apply for a Smart and Skilled Fee-Free Scholarship
Disadvantaged students
Smart and Skilled also supports disadvantaged students by providing:
- Fee exemptions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, students with disabilities and the dependants of certain pension recipients. See Disadvantaged students and Subsidised training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Fee-free foundation skills courses for people who want help with language, literacy or numeracy skills. See NSW Skills List.
Fees for Smart and Skilled
A single set of fees apply to government-subsidised courses delivered by approved providers.
The student fee will be the same regardless of the Smart and Skilled provider the student chooses to deliver the Smart and Skilled qualification. Smart and Skilled fees are set for the full qualification, not yearly or by semester. See the prices, fees and subsidies page.
Smart and Skilled providers must advise students before they enrol of any charges additional to the student fee. This may include optional training equipment and associated expenses like food and transport.
For more information about Smart and Skilled visit the website https://education.nsw.gov.au/skills-nsw and https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/vocational
Smart and Skilled Courses
| Qualification Name | National Code | Program | First Qualification | Second or Further Qualification | Concession |
| Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure | TLI27121 | School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships | $0 | – | |
| Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure | TLI27121 | Apprenticeships and Traineeships | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Certificate II in Track Protection | TLI21921 | Apprenticeships and Traineeships | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Certificate III in Light Rail Driving | TLI31421 | Apprenticeships and Traineeships | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure | TLI37122 | Apprenticeships and Traineeships | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Certificate III in Track Protection | TLI32721 | Apprenticeships and Traineeships | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Certificate IV in Train Driving | TLI42622 | Apprenticeships and Traineeships | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure | TLI27121 | Full Qualification | $1,010 | $1,210 | $160 |
| Certificate II in Shunting | TLI23221 | Full Qualification | $1,010 | $1,210 | $160 |
| Certificate II in Track Protection | TLI21921 | Full Qualification | $1,010 | $1,210 | $240 |
| Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure | TLI37122 | Full Qualification | $1,480 | $1,780 | $240 |
| Certificate III in Track Protection | TLI32721 | Target Priority FQ | $1,010 | $1,210 | $240 |
| Certificate III in Light Rail Driving | TLI31421 | Full Qualification | $2,410 | $2,900 | $240 |
| Certificate IV in Rail Network Control | TLI40921 | Target Priority FQ | $1,970 | $2,290 | $240 |
| Certificate IV in Train Driving | TLI42622 | Target Priority FQ | $2,150 | $2,510 | $240 |