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What is Smart and Skilled?

Smart and Skilled is a reform initiative of the NSW vocational education and training (VET) system. It aims to equip individuals with the necessary skills to secure employment and advance their careers.

Under Smart and Skilled, eligible students can access:

  • Government-subsidised training for qualifications up to and including Certificate III.
  • Funding for higher-level courses (Certificate IV and above) in targeted priority areas.

Am I Eligible for Subsidised Training?

You may qualify for Smart and Skilled funding if you meet the following criteria:

  • You are 15 years or older.
  • You are no longer attending school.
  • You live or work in NSW (or are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander living in specific NSW border areas).
  • You are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, humanitarian visa holder, or New Zealand citizen.

From 2016, individuals with qualifications at Certificate IV or higher can still access subsidised training up to Certificate III level. This allows for retraining to support workforce entry or re-entry, regardless of prior higher-level qualifications.

Additionally, you may enroll in subsidised Certificate IV, Diploma, or Advanced Diploma courses, depending on funding availability. holding a Certificate IV or higher qualification does not impact your eligibility for these courses.

For more details on eligibility, visit the Are you eligible? page on the Smart and Skilled website.

How to Apply for Smart and Skilled Funding?

TrEd College is here to support you, your business, or your organisation with the enrolment process and required documentation.

To apply for NSW Smart and Skilled funding through TrEd College, simply reach out to us, and we will guide you through the next steps. Please note that funding availability is subject to change. [Student Information Booklet]

Unique Student Identifier (USI):

All students enrolling in nationally recognised vocational training in Australia need a Unique Student Identifier (USI). This number allows you to access your training records and results. If you don’t have a USI, you can easily create one on the Australian Government’s USI website.

Required Documentation:

To complete your application, you may need to provide proof of identity or residency, such as a passport, citizenship certificate, driver’s licence, or Medicare card. Additionally, you’ll be asked to fill out a consent form authorising the use and sharing of your personal information.

Our Course:

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  • CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and care
  • HLT37215 Certificate III in Pathology Collection
  • HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting
  • CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support (Traineeship)
  • HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Traineeship)

Student Support Officer

At TrEd College, we are committed to ensuring that all Smart and Skilled students and potential students (consumers) receive high-quality training that aligns with the requirements set by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) and the Smart and Skilled contract.

Key Elements of Our Consumer Protection Strategy:

Student rights and obligations are cleared defined to outline rights and responsibilities regarding their training under smart and skilled program. Provider obligations are followed to protect the consumer. The provider obligations are governed by both federal and state regulations set by ASQA and other governing bodies. The college undergoes performance assessments by both ASQA and Smart and skilled from time to time that assess the provider and its work. This protective measure helps consumer protection and maintains quality at the college. Apart from this the college has a detailed complaints and appeals process that is used to handle and resolve disputes.

The following procedures form TrEd College’s Customer Protection Strategy 

  • All information provided about training products and services will be accurate and factual. Information about any Third Party Arrangements with regard to recruitment and training and assessment, will be provided.
  • We will inform students in our course brochures and our website of any entry requirements before they enrol; these may include English language proficiency or meeting particular licensing requirements
  • We will not make any guarantees to the effect that students will successfully complete their training program, obtain employment on completion or that a training product will be delivered in a manner that does not meet the Standards for RTOs 2015.
  • Written consent will be obtained from anyone whose photograph, testimonial, logo or work is used in any form of marketing or promotion. 
  • All personal information will be recorded and stored in line with the National Privacy Principles.

Any complaint will be treated as an opportunity to review and improve our service and will be included as part of our Continuous Improvement Process.

External Assistance:

How to Address Complaints?

If a student cannot resolve an issue with TrEd College directly, they can escalate their complaint by contacting Training Services NSW:

    • Online
    • Phone: 1300 772 104
    • In Person: Visit a Training Services NSW regional office.

Our Commitment to Consumer Protection

As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), TrEd College adheres to all relevant legislation, including:

  • Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015
  • National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011
  • Smart and Skilled NSW Quality Framework
  • Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998
  • Australian Consumer Law 2011

Internal Policies to Safeguard Consumers:

  • Complaints and Appeals Process
  • Fees & Refunds Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Assessment Policy and Guidelines
  • Continuous Improvement Policy

We ensure that students are well-informed of their rights and responsibilities through various channels such as the Student Handbook, Courses, Enrolment documentation, and service agreements.

Student Support Services

Our Student Support Officer serves as the designated Support Officers, managing all consumer-related inquiries and ensuring student support throughout their training.

Independent Assistance

If an issue remains unresolved, students can seek help from independent organisations such as:

  • Community Justice Centers: 1800 990 777
  • Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA): 1300 701 801
  • NSW State Training Services: 1300 772 104
  • NSW Ombudsman: 02 9286 1000
  • NSW Fair Trading: 13 32 20

Note: This information is intended for guidance only and should not replace formal legal advice. For specific legal matters, please seek independent legal counsel.

Deferring or Discontinuing Subsidised Training

If you need to defer your course, you may do so for up to 6 months from the date we receive your notification. We encourage students to complete their training; however, if you decide to discontinue your course, please notify TrEd College in writing with compassionate and compelling reasons. For information on any applicable refunds, please refer to our Refund Policy. Please ensure that you fill out the leave application from that is with your student support team.

Personal Information 

For all approved Smart and Skilled qualifications TrEd College requires your consent for the Department of Education to be given your Personal Information that may also be disclosed to other Australian government agencies. You will be asked to complete a consent to use and disclosure of Personal Information to the Department of Education and Communities and other Government Agencies form.

Fee Information

Course fees apply based on your selected program and eligibility. The amount you pay, along with the government’s contribution, depends on your individual circumstances.

The NSW Government sets the fees for training providers, and TrEd College is required to charge students, accordingly, based on the information you provide. Depending on your eligibility, you may be charged one of the following fees:

  • Standard Student – First Qualification Fee
  • Standard Student – Subsequent Qualification Fee
  • Concession Fee for eligible disadvantaged students

If you are a recipient of Australian Government welfare benefits, you will need to provide relevant documentation to help us determine your applicable fee.

For more details, you can access the NSW Smart and Skilled fee schedule directly [Click here]

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT)

You may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT). If your application is approved by TrEd College, in line with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations and the NSW Recognition Framework, any approved RPL or CT will result in a corresponding reduction in your course fees.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

RPL is an assessment process that evaluates your skills and knowledge against the competency standards of the units you wish to gain recognition for, based on the evidence you provide. If you would like to apply for RPL, please contact TrEd College before enrolling.

Credit Transfer (CT):

  • CT applies if you have a Certificate, Statement of Attainment, or transcript showing that you have completed the same unit code and title as a unit in your enrolled course. To apply for CT, you will need to provide a copy of the document, certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP) as a true copy of the original. Please contact TrEd College if you wish to apply for CT before enrolling.

Student Support Services

The Student Support Officers at TrEd College are here to assist you with any questions or concerns throughout your studies. We are your primary point of contact for all aspects of the student journey, including enrolment, timetabling, and study support.

Support Options:

Depending on your needs, you can reach us through various channels:

  • Email inquiries
  • Phone consultations with a Student Support Officer
  • North Sydney Office in person interviews 

If you require in-person assistance, we will arrange an appointment with one of our Student Support Officers.

Our goal is to provide friendly, accurate, and timely assistance. If we cannot resolve your issue directly, we will connect you with the appropriate department or individual within the college.

We can assist with questions about:

  • Enrolling in new courses
  • Training and assessments
  • Timetabling and unit enrolment
  • Advice on credit for prior study and RPL
  • Obtaining a student ID
  • Information about units and courses
  • Transcripts and official letters
  • Information on fees

Response Times:

  • Non-peak periods: We aim to respond to general inquiries within five business days.
  • Specialist referrals: If your query requires input from a specialist team, it may take up to an additional 10 business days.
  • Peak periods (December to March): Response times may extend to up to 10 business days.
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