All Job Ready skill sets will be fully fee-free from 1 January 2023!
Not all jobs need a full qualification, and maybe you don't either. Our skill sets can help you get ready for your first job, or re-skill quickly for jobs that are available as WA's economy recovers.
The WA State Government, through Jobs and Skills WA, subsidises vocational education and training (VET) courses in priority areas, to reduce or remove the fees and make training more accessible to all Western Australians.
Through to 31 December 2022, Job Ready skill sets available under Skills Ready are fee-free to the following concession - eligible residents of Western Australia.
- Persons aged 15 — 24 years at the time of enrolment (excluding students enrolled at school*)
- Persons and dependents of persons in receipt of services from Commonwealth support or employment services programs Workforce Australia, or ParentsNext
- Persons and dependents of persons receiving the Youth Allowance, AUSTUDY or ABSTUDY
- Persons and dependents of persons holding a pensioner concession card or Health Care Card; or a Repatriation Health Benefits Card issued by the Department of Veterans' Affairs
- Dependents of persons who are inmates of a custodial institution
*In 2022, Year 12 school students who are leaving school can access a subsidised training place from 24 October 2022.
From 1 January 2023, the Job Ready skill sets are all 100% fee-free to people who have left school*, have their primary place of residence in Western Australia, and are either:
- an Australian citizen; or
- a permanent visa holder or holder of visa subclass 309, 444, 449, 785, 786, 790, or 820; or
- a dependent or spouse of the primary holder of a visa subclass 457 or 482; or
- a bridging visa holder who has made a valid application for a visa subclass 866; or
- a Bridging Visa E holder (subclasses 050 and 051) who has made a valid application for a visa subclass 785 or 790.
* In 2023, Year 12 school students who are leaving school can access a subsidised training place from 23 October 2023.
*Please note Some eligibility conditions apply for the free training. Please refer t o the information under Who can access subsidised training such as the free or reduced - fee qualifications?
The Department of Training and Workforce Development’s VET Fees and charges policy outlines eligibility for subsidised training in WA
Yes! Up until 31 December 2022, some of the Job Ready skill sets are totally free for eligible students*! Where it says a Job Ready skill set is “free for everyone”, you do not have to be aged 15—24, or on a concession — all fees are 100 per cent subsidised by the WA State Government, through Jobs and Skills WA, so that there is no cost to you .
From 1 January 2023 , all of the Job Ready skill sets will be 100% fee - free for everyone*.
*Please note: Some eligibility conditions apply for the free training. Please refer to the information under Who can access subsidised training such as the free or reduced - fee qualifications? below.
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) — the national regulator for vocational education and training (VET) — defines a skill set as follows.
"A single unit of competency or a combination of units of competency from a training package which link to a licensing or regulatory requirement, or a defined industry need."
In VET, a qualification or course is made up of a number of units of competency, and each of those units has defined learning outcomes based on the skills and knowledge it covers. A skill set is developed by choosing individual units of competency that target a specific set of skills and knowledge, to meet the needs of industry or a particular job role.
Skill sets are also used to upskill workers — for example; if cleaning staff at a hospital needed to learn about infection control, or if office workers needed to learn some management skills — in situations where a full qualification is not required.
Because skill sets are based on nationally accredited units of competency, when you successfully complete a skill set short course those units can count towards a full qualification if you decide to do further study.
A vocational education and training (VET) qualification is made up of a number of units of competency, and each of those units has defined learning outcomes based on the skills and knowledge it covers. Each unit of competency has a set number of "nominal hours" i.e. the indicative hours required to deliver and assess the unit.
Individual units of competency are also used to develop skill sets or short courses that target a specific skills area.
Because the skill sets are not a full qualification, you will not receive a certificate.
You will receive a Statement of Attainment that lists all of the units of competency you completed in the skill set. This statement is recognised nationally as an official record. It verifies that you have completed those units, so you can receive credit for them should you continue on to further study.
Yes, completing a skill set is a great way to find out whether this is the industry area for you, and decide if you want to do further study and gain a full qualification.
The Skills Ready skill sets contain units of competency taken from nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET) qualifications. This means they work perfectly as a pathway to further study.
The Statement of Attainment you receive on completion of a skill set verifies that you have completed those units, so you will receive credit for them should you continue on to further study.
Yes, subject to practical study load factors, there is no limit to the number of fee free skill sets that can be undertaken by a student.
Where a particular unit is in more than one skill set (e.g. ‘HLTINFCOV001 — Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures’), a student can only do the unit once under the fee free arrangements. Credit will be given where the same unit has been successfully completed under a different skill set. If an employer or student requests the unit to be repeated in a different context, the unit can be repeated at the cost of the employer or student.
The Australian Government offers VET Student Loans (VSL) only for courses at Diploma or Advanced Diploma level.
If your Lower fees, local skills qualification is at Diploma level, you may be eligible for VSL.
Because the job ready skill sets are not full qualifications, they are not eligible for VSL.
Skill sets list
Business Ready Skill Set
Almost every business has an office — and there's no shortage of job opportunities here
This skill set will give you the skills and knowledge required to deliver all aspects of customer service including how to create a relationship with customers, identify their needs, deliver services or products and process customer feedback.
Almost every business has an office — and there's no shortage of job opportunities here
From administration work through to customer service, using business technology, dealing with accounts and finances through to digital marketing — you just need to be skills ready.
The Business Ready Skill Set will give you basic skills and knowledge required to deliver aspects of customer service including how to create a relationship with customers, identify their needs, deliver services or products and process customer feedback. You'll also learn how to use business technology and produce business documents, follow work health and safety (WHS) and emergency procedures and instructions, and use computer software and organise electronic information and data.
COVID-19 Collection Skill Set
Demand for workers in the Pathology industry is high - get the skills you need to start your career.
You'll undertake three units of competency to gain entry level skills to work safely in the pathology industry.
The COVID-19 Collection skill set will give you the skills and knowledge required to collect, prepare and dispatch a pathology specimen for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing — a technique used to copy small segments of DNA and to diagnose infections such as COVID-19.
This training will get you job ready for working in hospitals or outpatient clinics, GP clinics and specialist rooms, home collection services and other public and private healthcare settings equip you with the skills and knowledge to. It includes learning to work in compliance with infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
The skills you gain are highly transferrable, with PCR used in a number of laboratory and clinical techniques including DNA fingerprinting, detection of bacteria, and diagnosis of genetic disorders. Your skills can also be used for the collection of pathology specimens in anthropological and forensic examination, which could be a pathway into a range of interesting work areas including forensic and criminal sciences.
Please note this skill set will be run subject to enrolment numbers.
COVID-19 Direct Care Skill Set (Fee Free)
This skill set is free for everyone
This skill set was developed in consultation with WA employers in the aged care and disability services sectors and the Community Services, Health and Education Training Council to get you job ready for entry-level employment.
This COVID-19 Direct Care skill set was developed in consultation with WA employers in the aged care and disability services sectors and the Community Services, Health and Education Training Council. It contains three units of competency chosen to get you job ready for entry-level employment.
- HLTINF001 Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
- HLTWHS005 Conduct manual tasks safely
- CHCCCS011 Meet personal support needs
Commercial Kitchen Skill Set
How would you like to be part of a team producing beautiful food in one of WA's restaurants, cafes, bars, resorts or hotels?
This skill set covers how to follow organisational infection prevention and control procedures, including implementing standard and transmission-based precautions and responding to infection risks to ensure you're working safely.
How would you like to be part of a team producing beautiful food in one of WA's restaurants, cafes, bars, resorts or hotels?
This skill set covers all the 'must know' skills that employers are looking for, so you'll be skills ready and job ready. It covers how to follow organisational infection prevention and control procedures, including implementing standard and transmission-based precautions and responding to infection risks to ensure you're working safely.
In the Commercial Kitchen skill set, you'll learn about the safe use of commercial kitchen equipment, how to clean food preparation areas, storage areas, and equipment efficiently and minimising negative environmental impacts, preventing food contamination including how to identify and control food hazards, and gain general kitchen and food preparation skills.
Jobs that could lead from this skill set includes cooks, chefs, caterers, kitchen stewards, kitchen hands, and bar and food and beverage servers and attendants.
Cross-Sector Infection Control Skill Set
Help reduce the risk of transmission of infection in the workplace
Designed to equip workers with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk and transmission of infection.
Help reduce the risk of transmission of infection in the workplace
This skill set is designed to equip workers from all industries with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk and transmission of infection while carrying out routine work activities.
This training is suited to a wide range of workplaces including small, medium and large organisations; business environments; and where workers use shared facilities and interact with clients.
This online course allows you to undertake studies within your own timeframe to help you gain the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk and transmission of infection while carrying out routine work activities.
Please note this skill set will be run subject to enrolment numbers.
Customer Service Skill Set
Retail, finance, pharmacy, hospitality, business, tourism... what industry doesn't have customers?
Good customer service and communication skills are highly valued by employers in many different industries and areas of work, and this skill set will get you job ready with exactly the skills you need.
Retail, finance, pharmacy, hospitality, business, tourism... what industry doesn't have customers?
Good customer service and communication skills are highly valued by employers in many different industries and areas of work, and this skill set will get you job ready with exactly the skills you need. This skill set includes following infection prevention and control policies and procedures, implementing standard and transmission-based precautions and responding to infection risks in the workplace within a customer service context to ensure you're working safely.
You'll learn to communicate effectively and provide quality service to both internal and external customers, and how to deal effectively with people from a range of social and cultural groups with respect and sensitivity. You'll also gain negotiation, conflict management and problem solving skills.
Please note this skill set is experiencing high demand and places are limited.
Entry into Care Roles Skill Set
This skill set is free for everyone
This skill set will give you the skills and knowledge required to provide entry level support and basic client care for a range of roles and purposes within the aged care and disability support sectors.
The CHCSS00114 Entry Into Care Roles skill set addresses the skills and knowledge required to provide entry level support and basic client care for a range of roles and purposes within the aged care and disability support sectors.
The skill set is comprised of the following units.
- HLTINF001 Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
- CHCCCS015 Provide individualised support
- HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care
These units can then be used as credit towards a number of Certificate III courses and is an ideal starting point for anyone considering gaining a qualification in Aged Care, Home and Community Care, Disability or as a Health Service Assistant.
Please note this skill set will be run subject to enrolment numbers.
Infection control Skill Set (Food Handling)
Protect yourself and others in the hospitality sector from infectious diseases
Gain an understanding of how infections are spread, ways of preventing the spread of infection and how to protect yourself and others from infection. This skill set is most suited for those that are working in the hospitality sector.
Protect yourself and others in the hospitality sector from infectious diseases
The pandemic has highlighted the importance of building the capacity and understanding of the workforce to practice safe infection control procedures. This skill set will provide you with the skills and knowledge to assist in protecting yourself and others in the community from infectious diseases.
You will understand how infections are spread, ways of preventing the spread of infection and how to protect yourself and others from infection. It is most suited for those that are working in the hospitality sector.
This online course allows you to undertake studies within your own timeframe. You will receive a short inducton and ongoing support from your lecturer. Once you have completed the online study component you will be required to book into a four hour practical lab session at our Mount Lawley campus where you will practice skills and undertake a workplace assessment.
Please note this skill set will be run subject to enrolment numbers.
Infection control Skill Set (Retail)
Protect yourself and others in the retail sector from infectious diseases
Gain an understanding of how infections are spread, ways of preventing the spread of infection and how to protect yourself and others from infection. This skill set is most suited for those that are working in the retail sector.
Protect yourself and others in the retail sector from infectious diseases
The pandemic has highlighted the importance of building the capacity and understanding of the workforce to practice safe infection control procedures. This skill set will provide you with the skills and knowledge to assist in protecting yourself and others in the community from infectious diseases.
You will understand how infections are spread, ways of preventing the spread of infection and how to protect yourself and others from infection. It is most suited for those that are working in the retail sector.
This online course allows you to undertake studies within your own timeframe. You will receive a short induction and ongoing support from your lecturer. Once you have completed the online study component you will be required to book into a four hour practical lab session at our Mount Lawley campus where you will practice skills and undertake a workplace assessment.
Please note this skill set will be run subject to enrolment numbers.
Infection control Skill Set (Transport and Logistics)
Protect yourself and others in the transport and logistics sector from infectious diseases
Gain an understanding of how infections are spread, ways of preventing the spread of infection and how to protect yourself and others from infection. This skill set is most suited for those that are working in the transport and logistics sector.
Protect yourself and others in the transport and logistics sector from infectious diseases
The pandemic has highlighted the importance of building the capacity and understanding of the workforce to practice safe infection control procedures. This skill set will provide you with the skills and knowledge to assist in protecting yourself and others in the community from infectious diseases.
You will understand how infections are spread, ways of preventing the spread of infection and how to protect yourself and others from infection. It is most suited for those that are working in the transport and logistics sector.
This online course allows you to undertake studies within your own timeframe. You will receive a short induction and ongoing support from your lecturer. Once you have completed the online study component you will be required to book into a four hour practical lab session at our Mount Lawley campus where you will practice skills and undertake a workplace assessment.
Please note this skill set will be run subject to enrolment numbers.
Infrastructure Ready Skill Set
Build your future with skills in infrastructure
Gain the skills to prepare for a career in infrastructure projects, and pick up your White Card along the way!
Build your future with skills in infrastructure
Gain the skills to prepare for a career in infrastructure projects, and pick up your White Card along the way!
You will learn the knowledge and skills to work safely in the civil construction industry, communicate effectively on work sites and plan work in relation to infrastructure activities.
This introduction is suitable for students who wish to enter the industry with no or limited experience.
Please note this skill set will be run subject to enrolment numbers.
Introduction to Commercial Cookery Skill Set
Want a career that can take you all over the world?
Turn a passion for food into a career that can take you on a lifelong journey
Our Future Chef Job Ready Program will help you turn a passion for food into an exciting career in hospitality.
This Free for eligible students*, four week Future Chef Job Ready Program is designed to get you into the creative food and restaurant industry.
You'll gain a combination of intensive training and work experience in a real commercial kitchen which may give you a head start into gaining an apprenticeship or other employment opportunities in the hospitality sector.
The four week program includes a total of five days work placement where you will gain real, hands on industry experience in addition to in class training.
After completing this Job Ready Program you could:
- be offered an apprenticeship
- find employment opportunities in other areas of the hospitality sector
- embark on further training to enhance your employment prospects.
Introduction to Cyber Security
Learn how to be cyber-aware
Gain the skills you need to recognise threats and how to understand the impact of breaches.
Gain a glimpse into the world of cyber risks and threats and an understanding of how to protect yourself and those around you.
If you have always wanted a broad, entry level understanding of cyber awareness, this skill set is aimed at providing you with knowledge about cyber risks and threats in the world we live in. You'll gain skills to help you protect yourself and others around you.
Armed with an understanding of Privacy Laws in relation to Cyber Security, you'll be able to manage your own personal profile and identifiable information more effectively.
You'll gain an awareness of the potentially catastrophic impact of cyber security breaches through reviewing scenarios that play out all too frequently.
Within organisations, security threats must be identified and reported to limit exposure and impact. You'll learn how this is achieved via case studies and standard industry practices.
This skill set will benefit all non-technical employees and managers equipping them to support the business by protecting themselves, equipment, assets and the organisation as a whole. You could also use the skills you gain to begin on a pathway to employment in cyber security. A technical background in IT is not essential.
Please note this skill set is experiencing high demand and places are limited.
Introduction to Direct Support Skill Set
Ageing and Disability Job Ready Program
A career in the ageing or disability sector can be very rewarding. This is an exciting opportunity to start a career that makes a difference and supports a person to reach their goals, engage with the community and meet their support needs.
Ageing and Disability Job Ready Program
A career in the ageing or disability sector can be very rewarding. You can get started in one of the fastest growing workforces in Western Australia and make a positive difference to the lives of others.
This is an exciting opportunity to start a career that makes a difference and supports a person to reach their goals, engage with the community and meet their support needs.
As part of this course you will attend a work placement with an employer where you will gain real, hands on industry experience and secure a ‘foot in the door’.
By completing the Ageing and Disability Job Ready Program, you may:
- Be offered a job with your work placement employer
- Be offered an aged care or disability work traineeship
- Use your skills to transition into an allied health occupation
- Gain employer references
- Be connected with other employment opportunities within these sectors or
- Complete further studies
For more information visit jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/pathways or call 08 6551 5049 or email SWAD@dtwd.wa.gov.au
Please note this skill set will be run subject to enrolment numbers.
Job Ready Basics Skill Set
A little extra support and a confidence boost to get into a job
This skill set is perfect if you feel that you need a little extra support and a confidence boost to get into a job. It focuses on health, wellbeing and personal development.
The Job Ready Basics skill set is perfect if you feel that you need a little extra support and a confidence boost to get into a job.
It focuses on health, wellbeing and personal development. Follow this up with a visit to your local Jobs and Skills Centre, where you can get free advice and support to with your CV and writing job applications, and you'll be job ready!
This skill set provides a pathway to further study in the following Lower fees, local skills half-price course fees qualifications.
Operate a Small Business Skill Set
This skill set is free for everyone
You'll gain the skills you need to be business or job ready in any field of small business.
If you're currently operating or thinking about starting up a small business, or would like to get job ready for an administrative support position in a small business operation, this is the skill set for you!
The Operate a Small Business Skill Set offers a fantastic range of skills and knowledge to get you job ready. You'll learn how to design and produce business documents and publications, digitally design and develop text-based documents, develop spreadsheets through the use of both cloud-based and non-cloud based applications, identify financial requirements of a business including profit targets, cash flow projections and strategies to garner financial support, and understand workplace health and safety (WHS) legislation and its application to safe work practices. It even covers how to create and build a social networking presence using social media tools and applications.
Please note this skill set is experiencing high demand and places are limited.
Pathology Collection Skill Set
Demand for workers in the Pathology industry is high - get the skills you need to start your career.
You'll undertake three units of competency to gain entry level skills to work safely in the pathology industry.
Would you like to be an important part of a team assisting clients to return to better health?
The Pathology Collection Skill Set, which you will complete under the supervision of a trained phlebotomist, will give you the skills to obtain blood samples from a patient for laboratory testing and get you job ready for working in hospital wards or outpatient clinics, GP clinics and specialist rooms, home collection services and other public and private healthcare settings.
You’ll gain the skills and knowledge to perform a pathology collection role, comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures, and be able to identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology collection. You’ll also learn important communication skills for working in health care or
Please note this skill set will be run subject to enrolment numbers.
Transition to Cyber Security
Kick start your career and existing passion for cyber security with this specialised skill set
You'll gain a broad range of skills and techniques in cyber security that are a springboard to further study. The course covers four underpinning areas that give you confidence in exploring techniques in tackling cyber attacks.
Kick start your career and existing passion for cyber security with this specialised skill set
This course will provided you with techniques that are a springboard for further study and then onto a platform for deciding from the many different Cyber Security employment avenues available.
You will cover four underpinning areas that give you confidence in exploring techniques in tackling cyber attacks and gain a broad range of skills.
This course is focused on people who have made the decision to start their journey to becoming a Cyber Security professional. It will give you key skills required to continue your studies. Completion of the skill set adds credit towards the Certificate IV of Cyber Security, which is held in high regard Australia wide and helps lead into the Advanced Diploma in Cyber Security.
Work in Hospitality Skill Set
WA has a large and vibrant hospitality industry — from bars and cafes through to world class restaurants and venues, hotels and resorts.
Hospitality offers a range of both entry-level jobs and career development opportunities, and the Work in Hospitality skill set is the perfect introduction to the industry, giving you the critical skills employers are looking for.
WA has a large and vibrant hospitality industry — from bars and cafes through to world class restaurants and venues, hotels and resorts.
Hospitality offers a range of both entry-level jobs and career development opportunities, and the Work in Hospitality skill set is the perfect introduction to the industry, giving you the critical skills employers are looking for. To get you job ready, you'll learn about areas of health and wellbeing and personal development, how to use workplace technology and business systems, and responsible service of alcohol (RSA). It also includes infection control and prevention procedures and food safety to ensure you're working safely.