FAQ

Here are the answers to questions people often ask about eligibility for Smart and Skilled training.

On this page:

Questions regarding the NEW Unique Student Identifier: http://www.usi.gov.au

  • 15 years old or over, and
  • no longer at school, 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, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen
  • a NSW apprentice or trainee
  • If you haven't completed a Certificate IV or higher-level qualification, you're entitled to enroll in a subsidised course up to Certificate III level.
  • You can enroll in subsidised training in targeted priority areas at Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma level, depending on the availability of funding for these courses. Having completed a Certificate IV or higher-level qualification does not affect eligibility.
  • at Certificate III level or below, you may be eligible for Smart and Skilled training up to Certificate III
  • at Certificate IV or above, you are not eligible for Smart and Skilled training up to Certificate III. However, you may be eligible to enroll in a Certificate IV or higher-level qualification in targeted priority areas, subject to availability of places.

Who is eligible for subsidised training under Smart and Skilled?

You may be eligible to enrol in a government-subsidised course with an approved Smart and Skilled training provider if you answer yes to all of the following:

  • Age 15 years or older
  • Live or work in New South Wales
  • Have left school
  • Are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen

Your eligibility for specific courses depends on your previous qualifications.

NSW apprentices and most new entrant trainees are eligible for a government subsidy for the training that supports their apprenticeship or traineeship. Their previous qualifications do not affect their eligibility.

For more information on Smart and Skilled eligibility, go to the Are you eligible? page.

How does Smart and Skilled affect apprentices and trainees?

All NSW apprentices and trainees in traineeships on the NSW Skills List are eligible for a government subsidy under Smart and Skilled for the qualification that supports their apprenticeship or traineeship.

Apprentices, eligible new entrant trainees, and their employers can choose an approved Smart and Skilled training provider that best meets their needs. Their choice of training provider does not affect the fee that is paid. The fee they pay is the same regardless of which approved Smart and Skilled training provider they choose.

Rather than paying yearly or by semester, apprentices and eligible trainees under Smart and Skilled pay a fee for the qualification. They may still pay in installments over a number of years, but the fee is an amount for the qualification, fixed at the time the apprentice or trainee commences.

If you're starting an apprenticeship in 2015, your Smart and Skilled fee for the whole qualification will not be more than $2,000.

For more information, go to the Apprenticeships and traineeships page.

I've completed one vocational qualification since leaving school and I'd like to enroll in another.  Am I eligible for a subsidy for the new course under Smart and Skilled?

If you have obtained a qualification at Certificate III level or lower after leaving school, you're entitled to enroll in a subsidised course up to Certificate III level, but you will pay a higher fee than someone who has not achieved any qualifications since leaving school. If you already have a Certificate IV or higher qualification, you are not eligible for a subsidy for qualifications up to Certificate III.

If you have a post-school qualification at any level, including a university qualification obtained overseas, you are eligible to enroll in a subsidised course at Certificate IV or above, but you will pay a higher fee than someone who does not have any qualifications.

These conditions do not apply for apprentices or trainees who are new entrants undertaking specific traineeships. These students are eligible for a government subsidy for the qualification that supports their apprenticeship or traineeship, regardless of any previous qualification they have, and they will pay the lower student fee.

Also, most foundation skills courses do not count as a post-school qualification. For a list of these courses, go to the Extra learning support page.

Many years ago I completed a qualification outside Australia that is the equivalent of a Diploma. Does that make me ineligible for a subsidised Smart and Skilled course at Certificate III level or lower?

If you've completed a qualification at Certificate IV level or above, you're not entitled to enroll in a subsidised Smart and Skilled course at Certificate III level or lower, regardless of the time that has passed or where you obtained your qualification.

However, you may be eligible for subsidised training in targeted priority areas at Certificate IV level or higher, depending on funding availability.

If you commence an apprenticeship or new-entrant traineeship, you may be eligible for a government subsidy under Smart and Skilled for the qualification that supports the apprenticeship or traineeship.

I'm an Aboriginal person and have completed a Certificate IV qualification. Can I now enroll in a subsidised Smart and Skilled course at Certificate III level or lower?

If you already have a Certificate IV or higher qualification, you're not eligible for subsidised training for qualifications up to Certificate III level.

However, if you commence an apprenticeship or new-entrant traineeship you may be eligible for a government subsidy under Smart and Skilled for the qualification that supports the apprenticeship or traineeship.

You may also be eligible for subsidised training in targeted priority areas at Certificate IV level or higher, depending on funding availability.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are eligible are exempt from fees for any Smart and Skilled courses.

For more information about Smart and Skilled training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, please go to the Aboriginal (ATSI) students page.

How many subsidised entry-level qualifications, up to Certificate III level, can I commence or complete under Smart and Skilled?

If you meet the Smart and Skilled eligibility conditions to undertake a qualification up to and including Certificate III, and if you don't have any post-school qualifications, you will pay the lower fee for your first Smart and Skilled subsidised course at Certificate III level or lower.

You will pay a higher fee for any subsequent Smart and Skilled courses you undertake.

Remember that, if you obtain a qualification at Certificate IV level or higher, you are no longer eligible to enroll in Smart and Skilled subsidised courses at Certificate III level or below, unless you are a NSW apprentice or eligible NSW trainee.

When I was still at school, I enrolled independently with TAFE and completed a vocational qualification. Does this affect my eligibility for Smart and Skilled training?

Any VET qualification obtained as part of your secondary education does not affect your eligibility for Smart and Skilled training. This is because it is not considered to be a post-school qualification.

However, if you independently enrolled in a VET qualification that was not a requirement of your secondary schooling and you obtained it after turning 17, this may affect your eligibility for Smart and Skilled training.

Note that your fee will be higher because your previous qualification is considered to be a post-school qualification.

For more information about your specific situation, contact an approved Smart and Skilled training provider. Go to the Course Finder to find the contact details for approved Smart and Skilled training providers that deliver your preferred course.

I'm not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, but I currently hold a humanitarian visa. Am I eligible to enroll in a Smart and Skilled course?

You are eligible to enroll in Smart and Skilled training if your immigration status falls under one of the refugee or humanitarian visa categories listed on the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection website.

You and your approved Smart and Skilled training provider are advised to review these categories on the Immigration Department website at the time of your enrolment.

General Boat Licence

Q. How long is the course?
A. About 3.5 hours

Q. Does the course include the exam?
A. Yes

Q. What sort of exam is it?
A. The exam is 50 multiple-choice questions. Go to the NSW Maritime website and practice the 50 question quiz. This is great preparation. http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/licence/boat-pwc/boating-knowledge-quiz.html

Q. What happens if I fail?
A. You can have a second re-sit on the night

Q. What happens if I fail my second attempt?
A. You can resit the exam with us free of charge as many times as you need. Only 2 attempts can be made on any 1-day.

Q. Will you issue my licence?
A. No, you will take our paperwork (valid for 12 months) and your completed logbook to a NSW Government Service Centre or Roads and Maritime (NSW RMS) office. They will issue your licence on the spot without any further testing.

Q. How do I complete my logbook?
A. Either do 3 trips on a friends boat with a person who has held a licence for at least 3 years or do 1 training trip on our vessel, about 2 hours (costs $140) The logbook is based on activities not hours, simply complete the activities.

Q. Will NSW RMS charge me a fee?
A. Yes, the boat licence fee is approximately $58 per year. There are discounts for pensioners and young adults. Check out the NSW RMS website for a full list of fees.

Q. How old do I have to be?
A. A young adult licence is available for persons aged 12 to 15 years. The full licence can be obtained at 16 years.

Q. How do I get a handbook to study and a logbook?
A. Call us and we will send you a free information pack or download at http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/licence/boat-pwc/boating-knowledge-quiz.html. The handbooks are also available at NSW Government Service Centres.

Q. Can you provide private training?
A. Yes, call for details; we can come to your club or workplace as well.

Q. Can I get a group discount?
A. Yes, 10% for 10 or more persons.

Q. What do I need to bring to the course?
A. Just ID (drivers licence is fine) everything else is supplied. Call us for ID requirements for people without a drivers licence

Q. I have trouble with written exams. Can I do the exam orally?
A. Yes, just let us know beforehand.

Jet Ski Licence (PWC)

Q. What does PWC stand for?
A. Personal Water Craft

Q. Do I need a boat licence first?
A. Yes. However, we can do the boat and Jet Ski courses and exams in the 1 session. Takes about 4.5 hours and costs $105 for boat plus $70 for the PWC upgrade

Q. I have a boat licence and I want a Jet Ski licence?
A. Just do the upgrade course and exam ($70) you can attend a free boat course for a refresher on the boating rules if you want to (Recommended). We will issue you a certificate to take NSW RMS who will issue your PWC licence on the spot. You must pay the NSW RMS licence fee and take along 2 passport photos.

Q. Can I practice on my jet ski before I get my licence?
A. No, you must have the licence before you can ride.

Q. Are there logbook requirements for the PWC licence?
A. Not for the upgrade, but if you are doing Boat and Jet Ski in the 1 session you will need to fulfill the boat licence logbook requirements before your licence will be issued. (See Boat Licence FAQs)

Q. What do I need to bring for the upgrade course?
A. 2 passport photos, your General Boat Licence and ID (drivers licence is fine)

Commercial Maritime Qualifications

Q. What is a General Purpose Hand Qualification?
A. This is the minimum requirement to work on a fishing or commercial vessel as a deckhand.
Give us a call and we will be happy to answer all your questions. The NSW Maritime website has all the info under their commercial vessels section/crewing. https://www.amsa.gov.au/domestic/domestic-quals/

Q. What are the instructions regarding AMSA task book?
A. Download Instructions to Approved Training Organisations
Download Task Book Candidate Instruction Form 2015

Seafood Industry Training

Q. Can I get a traineeship in the seafood industry?
A. Yes, give us a call and we can discuss all the options including government funding and incentives for employers

Before signing up for a course, how do I know if the course covers my needs?

Each of the courses offered by Maritime and Safety Training complies with strict government guidelines in relation to competency standards, assessment criteria and qualifications. Each course schedule explains in detail the duration of the course plus the units of competency (UoC) that are needed to attain certification.

The attached pdf describes in detail the UoC within each of our most popular courses. These courses, General Purpose Hand, Coxswain Grade I and II, Marine Engine Driver Grade II and III and Master up to 24 metres (Master Class 5), vary in duration and competency and some are prerequisite qualifications before progressing along the certification chain.

Elements of Shipboard Safety training courses are available across NSW, VIC, QLD, NT, SA, ACT, WA and TAS. To register your interest in our courses, please use the online form. If you would like further information about these or any M.A.S.T. courses, please call on 1300 302 123.

Download Maritime and Safety Training courses information