Smart & Skilled funding

If you live in New South Wales (NSW), you could be eligible for a subsidised training course under NSW Smart and Skilled.

Smart and Skilled is a NSW Government funding program that aims to help people to get qualifications in in-demand skills and industries. It provides eligible students with NSW Government funding for courses in targeted priority areas.

The Australian College of Business Intelligence (ACBI) is approved to deliver training to eligible students in New South Wales under the Smart and Skilled funding program.

Am I eligible for Smart & Skilled?
To be eligible for NSW Smart & Skilled funding, you must be:

15 years old or over, and

No longer an at school or home-schooled student, and

Living or working in NSW (or an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person living in specific NSW border areas), and

An Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen

Note that holding previous qualifications does not affect your eligibility for Smart and Skilled.

Your eligibility won’t be affected if you have completed a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship, as part of your high school education.

You can use the Eligibility Checker to review your eligibility for Smart and Skilled funding.
Which ACBI qualifications are approved for Smart and Skilled?
How much will Smart & Skilled contribute to my course fees?

Smart and Skilled funding contributions are dependent on your individual circumstances. For each qualification, the NSW Department of Industry has set a compulsory enrolment fee.

Smart and Skilled Entitlement enrolment fees for 2026 vary. However, the Smart and Skilled training program can mean that you get a substantial discount on ACBI’s normal course fees.

For the Diploma of Sustainable Operations, you can use the Calculate Your Fee tool on the Skills NSW to calculate the amount you’ll pay and the amount that will be subsided by the NSW Government.

You can also contact our course advisors by emailing domestic@acbi.edu.au or calling 1300 23 77 41 to find out more about what course costs may apply to you.
Can I access Smart & Skilled via my employer or as an employer?

Yes – you can ask your employer to “sponsor” your enrolment in a Smart and Skilled qualification. Employers are most likely to agree where the course is of mutual benefit.

Your employer may also ask you to enrol in a Smart and Skilled course to improve your skills. They may even agree to pay your enrolment fee.

Please note that under current Smart and Skilled rules, existing workers registered as trainees cannot be allocated to a Smart and Skilled place. These must be delivered on a Fee for Service basis.
Do I need to be employed to receive Smart & Skilled funding?

No, you don’t need to be employed. Also, if you are employed, your employer does not need to know about your funding.

Smart and Skilled enrolments can be done independently of your employer. Smart and Skilled funding is also available if you are currently unemployed and committed to completing the course to improve your employment prospects.
What is the enrolment process for a Smart & Skilled course?
To enrol into an ACBI course with Smart and Skilled funding, you can take the following steps:

Start your online ACBI application

You can start this online application form at any time and save your progress as you go.

Once you’ve started your application form, get in touch with our domestic enrolments team.

Send an email to domestic@acbi.edu.au to let them know that you wish to apply for Smart and Skilled funding.

Our domestic enrolments team can then help you with completing your application. They can also advise you on the process for applying for Smart and Skilled and collect any additional information about you that is needed.

Complete your application

Please note that you’ll need a Unique Student Identifier (USI) along with proof of residency (such as a green Medicare card) and proof of living or working in NSW to complete your application.

Once you have submitted your online application and spoken with our domestic enrolments team, we will review your application. We’ll check the placement availability and entry requirements. If your application is successful, we’ll then send you:

A Letter of Offer, and

Acceptance of Offer documents

If you have any questions about applying or if you need any assistance at any point during your application, please do not hesitate to contact our team. Email domestic@acbi.edu.au or call 1300 001 568 and one of our course advisors will be able to help you.
Where can I find more Information about Smart & Skilled?
You can use the links to below to learn more about Smart and Skilled funding:

Smart and Skilled Fee Administration Policy

NSW Skills List

Smart and Skilled Consumer Protection Strategy

You can also refer to the Skills NSW website for further information.
I have questions about Smart & Skilled funding. Who can I talk to?
What if I don’t qualify for Smart & Skilled?
How can I apply for Smart & Skilled funding?

Smart & Skilled funding

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