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Job ready skill sets

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.

Favourites

    Business Ready Skill Set

    State ID AE378

    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...

    Campuses
    • Perth

    Study Modes
    • On campus

    COVID-19 Collection Skill Set

    State ID AE218

    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.

    Campuses

    Study Modes
    • On campus

    COVID-19 Direct Care Skill Set (Fee Free)

    State ID AE161

    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.

    Campuses

    Study Modes
    • On campus

    Cross-Sector Infection Control Skill Set

    National ID BSBSS00095 | State ID AE188

    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.

    Campuses
    • Mount Lawley

    Study Modes
    • Online

    Entry into Care Roles Skill Set

    National ID CHCSS00114 | State ID AE116

    This skill set is free for everyone

    You'll gain 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.

    Campuses

    Study Modes
    • On campus

    Infection control Skill Set (Food Handling)

    National ID HLTSS00066 | State ID AE115

    Protect yourself and others in the hospitality sector from infectious diseases

    Gain an understanding of how infections are spread, ways of preventing the spread and how to protect yourself and others. This skill set is most suited for those that are working in the hospitality sector.

    Campuses

    Study Modes
    • Online

    Infection control Skill Set (Retail)

    National ID HLTSS00065 | State ID AE114

    Protect yourself and others in the retail sector from infectious diseases

    Gain an understanding of how infections are spread, ways of preventing the spread and how to protect yourself and others. This skill set is most suited to the retail sector.

    Campuses

    Study Modes
    • Online

    Infection control Skill Set (Transport and Logistics)

    National ID HLTSS00067 | State ID AE113

    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 and how to protect yourself and others. This skill set is most suited to the transport and logistics sector.

    Campuses

    Study Modes
    • Online

    Infrastructure Ready Skill Set

    State ID AE388

    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!

    Campuses

    Study Modes
    • On campus

    Integrating Mental Health Practice Skill Set

    State ID AE439

    Provide support services to people with mental health issues

    Gain the skills to assist and support clients who are experiencing mental health concerns, and respond to the increasing need for mental health awareness.

    Campuses
    • Mount Lawley

    Study Modes
    • Online