There are two aspects to the Australian Skills Vouchers Programme –

Work Skills Vouchers
Available to Australians over 25 who do not have a Year 12 or Certificate II level or equivalent qualification.  These vouchers will be worth $3,000.

Business Skills Vouchers
Available to apprentices to contribute towards the costs of accredited small business skills training.  These vouchers will be worth $500.

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WORK SKILLS VOUCHERS

Description
Australians aged 25 years and over who do not have Year 12 or equivalent or certificate level II or higher qualifications are now eligible for Work Skills vouchers to help them improve their qualifications.  The vouchers will be worth up to $3,000.  Once fully implemented up to 30,000 vouchers will be available each year.

The vouchers can be used for training at BECN.  They may also be used for all accredited literacy/numeracy and basic education courses and all vocational certificate level II courses.

This measure will improve the basic skills of the Australian workforce and assist those without Year12 or equivalent or certificate level II or higher qualifications.  Improvements in basic skills will help people who are already in employment to move into higher level positions and assist those who are looking for work to find jobs.

Who will benefit?
Australians aged 25 years and over without Year 12 or equivalent or certificate level II or higher qualifications will be the beneficiaries.  Priority will be given to applicants in the following order:

• unskilled workers wishing to acquire qualifications;
• income support recipients, such as parents and carers returning to the workforce, who will face active job search requirements in the next two years;
• unemployed job seekers in receipt of income support and participating in the Job Network who are undertaking active job search; and
• people not in the labour force, either voluntarily or because of carer responsibilities, who intend to seek work after achieving their qualification.  

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BUSINESS SKILLS VOUCHERS FOR APPRENTICES

Description
Business Skills Vouchers valued at up to $500 are available to apprentices each year to contribute towards the costs of accredited small business skills training.  Apprentices who are undertaking an apprenticeship in a traditional trade will be eligible to apply for the voucher any time from the end of their second year until two years after completion.

The vouchers can be used for courses at BECN.  The new training will be in addition to any business skills training provided as part of the apprenticeship. 

Employers want their employees to be flexible and adaptive, with a broad skill base.  It is also recognised that the opportunity to undertake specialised business courses will add an extra dimension to the skills of qualified tradespeople.  It will help build Australia’s entrepreneurial culture.

Many skilled tradespeople seize the opportunity to build their own businesses.   For example, over 50 per cent of all construction tradespeople and almost 30 per cent of automotive tradespeople are self employed.  Small business skills will be crucial for tradespeople wishing to become independent contractors or run their own small businesses. 

Who will benefit?
Up to 6,300 apprentices and newly-qualified tradespeople a year will benefit from the opportunity to gain small business skills.  Employers will benefit from their workers having an understanding of how businesses operate.

List of Approved Trades

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