Training Credits
In July 2002, the Australian Government introduced Training Credits to provide you with new training opportunities to help you become more job ready. By completing a Work for the Dole or Community Work placement you can earn a Training Credit worth up to $800 and you get to choose how to use it.
You can choose a training course that suits your needs in an industry or field you are interested in and your Training Credit can pay for the course fees. These training courses are recognised across Australia by employers, State and Territory Governments and education institutions. Doing a course of your choice could help you get a job.
That's the benefit!
You can use your Training Credit to enrol in a wide range of competency based and accredited courses. You can:
- do more than one course using your Training Credit
- do either day or evening training courses
- do a course which costs more than the value of your Training Credit, but you must pay the difference
- study online or through distance education
Here are some ideas!
You can do competency based courses to give you the skills you need to work in any number of industries.
Some examples are:
- hospitality and tourism
- building and construction
- mining
- automotive
- manufacturing and engineering
- transport
- retail
- health
- business administration
- horticulture
- agriculture
- information technology.
You can also do accredited courses like:
- business writing
- computing packages
- marketing, advertising and public relations
- first aid
- touch typing
- book keeping
- English as a second language
- metal fabrication
- aged care
- youth work
- occupational health and safety induction courses or
- do a course to obtain a fork lift or heavy vehicle licence.
You may be able to use part of your Training Credit to pay for books and equipment which are essential for your course or to pay a portion of a Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) fee upfront for a new course. You may also use your Training Credit for lessons in preparing for your Learner’s Permit and drivers licence. Training Credits cannot be used to pay for a module or unit of training you have already begun, payment of existing HECS, HECS-HELP or Postgraduate Education Loan Scheme debt, or to renew or to reobtain a suspended driver’s licence.
If you want to enrol in a non-accredited course don't despair, ask your Community Work Coordinator to forward your request to the Department for approval. The Department approves courses on the basis of whether they will improve your chances of gaining employment. These are only examples of what you could do—the list is endless!! Choose something that will help you and enrol today.
It works this way. When you have been taking part in your Work for the Dole or Community Work activity for the number of hours required you will earn a Training Credit of a certain value. The hours and values are set out in the table below:
Number of hours work
experience I will do |
Value of Training
Credit I will receive |
If I am aged
under 21
|
If I am aged
21 and over
|
|
|
155
310 |
195
390 |
$300
$800 |
To be eligible for a $300 early access Training Credit, Work for the Dole Participants are required to complete half (155/195) of their Training Credit participation hours. Full-Time Work for the Dole Participants must complete 550 hours to be eligible to gain early access to Training Credit. However, Community Work participants are not eligible for early access to Training Credit and must complete all their hours to be eligible to access their Training Credit.
When you complete your placement, your Community Work Coordinator will tell you the value of the Training Credit you have earned. You will also receive a letter confirming the amount you have earned approximately four weeks after completing your placement. You don't have to wait for this letter to arrive to start a training course. Talk to your Community Work Coordinator about training options so you can enrol straight away.
You must use your Training Credit by enrolling in your course within twelve months from the date you leave your activity unless you have a special reason. If you can't start your training during this time, you must tell your Community Work Coordinator before the twelve months is up.
You can also gain early access to a portion of your Training Credit when you complete half the required hours in your Work for the Dole activity to the satisfaction of your CWC. This means that you could start your course sooner and be more job ready sooner. Full-Time Work for the Dole Participants need to complete a minimum of 550 hours to be eligible for early access to Training Credit. However, Community Work participants are unable to gain early access to their Training Credit, and will have to complete all the required hours before gaining access to their Training Credits.
You should plan ahead and your Community Work Coordinator can help you. They can help you find courses or talk to you about what might suit you if you're looking for ideas. If you want advice, just ask your Community Work Coordinator or Job Network member.
But don't delay, all these options can only benefit you.
Using it is easy!
All you have to do is:
- choose a course that interests you—ask your Community Work Coordinator for help if you need it
- get your Community Work Coordinator’s approval
- approach the training organisation that offers your course and enrol
- get the training organisation to give you an invoice to pass on to your Community Work Coordinator or they can send it directly to your Community Work Coordinator
- your Community Work Coordinator will pay your fees
If you want to use your Training Credit towards equipment, books or another related purchase for a training course – you need to follow this process and gain approval from your Community Work Coordinator before you buy anything.
The process is easy so start training today.
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If you are on Newstart or Youth Allowance, the course you decide to do may reduce your Activity Agreement participation requirements or change your allowance type. Your Community Work Coordinator or Job Network Member can provide further assistance with using your Training Credit and about contacting Centrelink
If you receive Parenting Payment, Carer Payment, Widow Allowance, Widow B Pension, Mature Age Allowance, Partner Allowance or Special Benefit, you should check with Centrelink before you use your Training Credit as you may be eligible for extra assistance.
It is recommended to contact Centrelink whenever your situation changes.
See www.centrelink.gov.au for more information.
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You should choose your training course carefully and fully complete it. Make sure you enrol in the course of your choice before your Training Credit expires.
If you use your early access Training Credits, you will need to try and fit your training course around your activity hours. If you are having any problems, make sure you see your Community Work Coordinator who may be able to help.
Your Community Work Coordinator will assist you with information about approved courses if you need help. They can walk you through the whole process, show you lists of courses and which training organisations deliver those courses. They also pay the education institution up to the value of your Training Credit when you have chosen your course. They are there to help you—use them!
Check out the employment services page on this site or phone the Employment Services Hotline on 13 62 68.
To get an idea about what training courses are available check out www.jobsearch.gov.au/training and don't forget to ask your Community Work Coordinator if you need more advice.
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