Funding support and your eligibility

Sometimes the biggest barrier to learning new skills or gaining a qualification is the lack of money to simply study. With WEA Illawarra you can improve your opportunities through subsidised courses and training. We offer four funding opportunities for you as an adult learners:

1. Smart and Skilled
2. University Of Wollongong (UOW) Pathways
3. Tech Savvy Seniors.
4. Tech Savvy Small Business

Smart and Skilled

Government-subsidised training opportunities

In 2015, the NSW Government implemented a new funding system called Smart and Skilled. This system aims to provide financial support and incentives for you to train in skills for which there are available jobs in the community.

If you are eligible for a Smart and Skilled funded course at WEA Illawarra you will be provided with:

• an entitlement to government-subsidised training up to and including Certificate III
• Government funding for higher-level courses (Certificate IV and above) in targeted priority areas.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for Smart and Skilled, participants need to be:

• 15 years old or over
• living or working in NSW
• no longer at school
• an Australian Citizen, Australian permanent resident, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand Citizen.

Course Fees

Fees are nominated with each course and are determined in accordance with Smart and Skilled fee arrangements.

No Fee or Reduced Fee

You could be eligible for full fee exemption or fee reductions. A Fee Exemption means no fee is charged, the course will be free. The fee exemption generally applies to people with a disability or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. A Fee Concession applies to low income or other disadvantaged students and here the course has a lower concession rate (a reduced fee).

Available Courses

Through Smart and Skilled WEA Illawarra has courses available in:

• Foundation Skills - reading, writing, numeracy and computer skills
• Entitlement Certificate II & III
• Targeted Priorities Certificate IV

Contact us to see if there is a Smart and Skilled course that’s right for you.

For more information visit the NSW Government Smart and Skilled website.

UOW Pathways

An alternative pathway to uni

If you are a Certificate IV level or Diploma student, by studying with us under the UOW Pathways Program you can get an alternative entry pathway to a University of Wollongong (UOW) degree.

The program includes opportunities to:

UOW Degrees available under this program are:

• Business
• Social Science
• Arts
• Information Technology
• Nursing (no guaranteed entry).

Certificate IV or Diploma

If you’re already on the way to getting your Diploma with us, great! In 2016 you can apply to be part of the UOW Pathways Program which includes the Bridging and Transition Program and Transition Assistance – at no cost to you.

For more information contact the Pathways Team.

To express your interest in the Pathways Program and apply for a Scholarship or the Bridging Program complete the online form.

Tech Savvy Seniors Training

Are you 60 or over? The Tech Savvy Seniors Program delivers free digital literacy training so you can develop the skills and confidence to navigate online technology. The program provides training in computers, tablets and smart phones to help seniors like you stay connected with families, friends and your community. Funded by the NSW Government and Telstra.

Through Tech Savvy Seniors you can learn how to use:

• iPads
• computing
• photo scanning, sharing and editing
• Social Media
• online shopping and more.

 To register your interest click here to view our available courses

Please note that spaces are limited and subject to availability.


Tech Savvy Small Business

Are you a small business owner?
Do you want to upskill yourself or your staff for free?
If you answered YES to the above questions and you meet either of the following criteria then Tech Savvy Small Business is for you -
- You have 20 employees or less OR
- You have an annual turnover of less than $2,000,000
WEA Illawarra are offering the fully subsidised training under the Tech Savvy for Small Business funding.
- Computer Training
- Small Business Finance training
- Communications Skills and Numeracy
- Social Media for the Workplace
- Staff Development

Talk to Kerrie or Dannelle on 4226 1622 to discuss training options and any needs not mentioned above

Current Subsidised Courses

• Foundation Skills - reading, writing, numeracy and computer skills
• Entitlement Certificate II and III
• Targeted Priorities Certificate IV

• BSB40215 Certificate IV in Business
• BSB42015 Certificate IV in Leadership and Management.

Tech Savvy Seniors

Contact us to check what courses are available.

Tech Savvy Small Business

Talk to Kerrie or Dannelle on 4226 1622 to discuss training options and any needs not mentioned above.