Don’t let cost stop you
Your future matters — which is why a range of financial supports are available to see you achieve your potential and reach your goals.
If you’re thinking about enrolling in a course, this is the best time to figure out course costs. But even if you’re already training, some additional supports are available in some cases.
You may be surprised by the range of support you can access.
Access government assistance
Did you know, some VET courses are partly or fully paid for by the South Australian Government and/or Australian Government?
Fee Free vocational education and training
Need other financial support?
You may be able to access a range of other supports such as fee concessions, scholarships, grants, student loans and living allowances to make life smoother.
Fee concessions
If you’re enrolling in subsidised training, you may be eligible for a fee concession if you:
- have a health care card or pensioner concession card
- have a Veteran’s Affairs card
- are in a South Australian detention centre and between 16 and 18 years of age or
- are a prisoner in a South Australian correctional institution
Ask your training provider for more information.
Travel and Accommodation Allowance for trainees and apprentices
The Travel and Accommodation Allowance is a part-payment the South Australian Government will cover towards your costs of travel and accommodation for training.
- Do you have a current training contract registered in South Australia?
- Is your home more than 75km from your nearest training location?
- Do you live in rural or regional South Australia? Or is your training provider located interstate (pre-approval required)?
If so, you may be eligible.
VET Student Loans
A VET Student Loan can help you pay for your tuition fees for some courses at diploma level and above.
There are a limited number of courses and training providers who offer VET Student Loans. Be sure to check with your training provider during enrolment.
How does it work?
- The amount of the loan is paid directly to your training provider
- If the loan doesn’t cover the full course fee, you’ll need to pay the gap
- Once your income reaches a certain amount, you’ll start repaying your debt.
Fee exemption for Guardianship of the Minister
You can apply for Exemption as a person under the Guardianship of the Minister — which means you don’t have to pay any fees for subsidised courses if:
- you are (or if you’ve ever been) under a Guardianship Order in Australia, and
- you’re 16 years or older
You can call us on 1800 673 097 to discuss this option.
Loans, grants, and fee exemptions
If you’re studying a Higher Education apprenticeship or traineeship, you might be able to access financial support through the Australian Government’s wide range of programs and initiatives including:
- the four different loan schemes under the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) to support learners from regional or remote Australia, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander learners and learners from low socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds
- the Higher Education Disability Support Program (DSP)
The Department for Education may have other options.
Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY
If you’re a trainee or apprentice, you may be able to get Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY or Rent Assistance.
Services Australia will be able to check what you’re eligible for.
Other support
There are financial support programs for apprentices and trainees under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
There’s also information about your entitlements as an apprentice or trainee on the Fair Work Ombudsman site.
The Smith Family’s Saver Plus financial education and matched savings program can help you build financial skills, develop lifelong savings habits and match your savings dollar for dollar up to $500 to assist with education costs.