This program provides the flexibility for apprentices, trainees and their employers to select a preferred registered training organisation (RTO) from a list of Skills Assure Suppliers (SAS) for the delivery of nationally recognised, accredited training to meet their specific needs. The program works in conjunction with the Commonwealth Australian Apprenticeships system, under which apprentices and trainees (also known in some jurisdictions as “Australian Apprentices”) enter into legally binding training contracts with their employers and receive structured training to achieve a nationally recognised qualification.

To be eligible to receive a government contribution, the apprentice or trainee must:

• have entered into a Training Contract for a qualification that is funded by the department
• be registered on DELTA with a commencement date or recommencement date on or after 1 July 2021
• select a training provider that holds SAS status for their nominated qualification and
• they are registered in the department’s registration system DELTA, and
• their visa allows them to work in Australia.

Under the User Choice, the Queensland Government provides a subsidy for a range of vocational qualifications.

Human Resource training offers the following course to be eligible under the User Choice program:

CPP30321 - Certificate III in Cleaning Operations

Student Co-contribution Fees are an apprentice’s contribution to the cost of tuition. As an apprentice under the User Choice funding program, it is mandatory to pay Student co-contribution Fees. Student co-contribution Fees are currently set at $1.60 per nominal hour for each unit of competency [as set by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT)]. These fees may change at the discretion of the Department. The apprentice’s employer may pay the student co-contribution fee on behalf of the apprentice.

Apprentices may be eligible for a partial or full exemption from these fees if they provide evidence, they are eligible for concession – please get in touch to find out more.

Partial Exemption – Tuition Fee (apprentice must pay 40% of Student Contribution Fee)

To be eligible for partial exemption you must fall into one or more of the following exemption categories:

• The participant was or will be under 17 years of age at the end of February in the year in which the SAS provides training, and the participant is not at school and has not completed year 12
• The participant holds a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card issued under Commonwealth law, or is the partner or a dependant of a person who holds a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, and is named on the card.
• The participant issues the SAS with an official form under Commonwealth law confirming that the participant, his or her partner or the person of whom the participant is a dependant, is entitled to concessions under a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card.
• The participant is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. Acceptable evidence is as stated on the Training Contract and AVETMISS VET Enrolment Form

Full Exemption – Tuition Fee

• If you would be caused extreme financial hardship, you may be exempt from the Co-contribution fees;
• If you are a school-based apprentice;
• If you are undertaking a qualification as part of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work – Work Skills Traineeship program.
• Specific business rules aligned to the suite of fee-free training programs offered by the Department since 1 January 2014 and inclusive of current programs targeting apprentices aged 25 years and under.

Student contribution fees apply for all units of competency (including any which are achieved by recognition of prior learning) unless you have previously achieved the unit of competency (either the same unit(s) name and code or deemed equivalent) and provide a Statement of Attainment as evidence.

Student contribution fees are payable prior to commencing training in the unit of competency. You may apply for exemption at any time for fees that have not yet been charged.

Free apprenticeships for under 21s

To be eligible, an apprentice or trainee must be under 21 years of age and commence in a Training Contract on or after 1 July 2019 in a designated Free apprenticeship qualification specified on the department’s User Choice Price List. Other eligible apprentices or trainees are those:

• enrolled in a qualification under the Year 12 Fee Free initiative prior to 1 July 2019 and will continue their qualification under Free apprenticeships.
• under 21 years of age from 30 June 2019 and commenced in a Training Contract prior to 1 July 2019 in a designated Free apprenticeship qualification. Free apprenticeships will apply to units of competency/modules commencing on or after 1 July 2019.

Free apprenticeships for under 25s

To be eligible, an apprentice or trainee must be aged between 21 years and under 25 years of age and commence in a Training Contract on or after 1 January 2021 in a designated Free apprenticeship qualification specified on the department’s User Choice Price List. Other eligible apprentices or trainees are those:

• aged between 21 years and under 25 years from 31 December 2020 and commenced in a Training Contract prior to 1 January 2021 in a designated Free apprenticeship qualification. Free apprenticeships will apply to units of competency/modules commencing on or after 1 January 2021. These apprentices must also not be claiming under the Free apprenticeships for under 21s initiative.

• A full refund will be paid to apprentices for Student Co-Contribution Fees charged for training delivery that has not commenced at the time of the cancellation of enrolment.
• Where an apprentice has withdrawn from a Unit of Competency and training has commenced, a refund will not apply.