Smart and Skilled fee-free* traineeships

The NSW Government is covering the student fee for 70,000 Smart and Skilled traineeship courses until June 2025. There's never been a better time to enrol in a fee-free* traineeship course at TAFE NSW.

* Subject to availability

A traineeship is a program where on-the-job training is combined with formal study. Depending on your industry and course, you'll spend 1-3 years studying as a trainee.

By studying a traineeship, you can:

• study while still at school
• gain skills and experience that employers seek 
• get a nationally recognised qualification while earning a salary
• get a foot in the door to begin your career in a priority industry

Learn more about traineeships and how you can become a trainee below

There are two types of NSW traineeships that are eligible for fee-free*. 

These are: 

• School-based traineeship, and
• New Entrant Traineeships (NET)

To be eligible for one of the above fee-free* traineeships, you must:

• be employed as a trainee
• be signed up with Apprenticeship Connect Australia Provider (ACAP)
• be funded under the NSW Government's Smart and Skilled Program
• have commenced your traineeship course on or after 1 January 2020
• not have exceeded the maximum of three fee-free* traineeships under this initiative

Please note

Existing Worker Traineeships (EWT) are commercial fee-for-service and not eligible for fee-free*.

Additional assistance

If you are someone who is living with disability, your employer may also be eligible for financial help. This can include assistance to modify or adjust your workplace through the Employment Assistance Fund.

Previous trainees

If you previously commenced:

• a Smart and Skilled traineeship training before 1 January 2020, and
• you returned to a traineeship after 1 January 2020,

you will be eligible for fee-free* for the remainder of your training if your traineeship course, or employer has changed.

Search all NSW traineeships funded under Smart and Skilled and explore our range of TAFE NSW traineeship courses below.

* Subject to availability

Employers no longer have to pay student fees for Smart and Skilled funded traineeship courses that started on or after 1 January 2020.

The NSW Government will:

• handle the $1,000 student fee
• pay directly to the Smart and Skilled training provider
• help ensure your business has the skilled staff it needs to succeed
• ensure a smooth and reliable process for all parties involved

If you still have questions about fee-free* traineeships, contact our Customer Support Team below.

You can also take a look at the FAQs on the NSW Government page or learn more at our apprenticeships and traineeships page below.