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1. Eligibility

The Skills Checkpoint & Training Incentive for Older Workers Program assists mature age Australians to update their skills and stay in the workforce.

This program is available to Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents (in all states and territories) who are aged 40 years and over. In addition, you must qualify as one of the following:

1. You are currently employed and at risk of becoming unemployed and entering the income support system.

2. You are recently unemployed (within 12 months) and not registered for assistance through an Australian Government employment services program.

2. What can I receive?

Eligible Skills Checkpoint participants receive at no cost:

  • Up to $2,200 (GST inclusive) to jointly fund education and training.

You or your employer must also make a co-contribution towards the cost of the training.

3. Which courses are eligible for funding?

The Training Incentive provides eligible participants with a government co-contribution of between 50-75%, up to $2,200 (GST inclusive), towards training opportunities identified in your Skills Checkpoint assessment.

The identified training opportunities depend on your Skills Checkpoint assessment but may include:

4. How do I apply?

To apply, please contact your Skills Checkpoint provider listed below.

There’s a limited number of Training Incentives available per year, so it is important that you speak with your Skills Checkpoint provider as soon as possible about accessing the Incentive when undertaking the Skills Checkpoint Program.

Only your Skills Checkpoint provider (listed below), can suitably assess your eligibility for the Skills Checkpoint Program and the Skills and Training Incentive.

Please note, you must not enrol and pay for the training yourself.

Before you undertake the training, your Skills Checkpoint provider must first:

1. Assess your eligibility

2. Complete a Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers Program

3. Register you for the Training Incentive

4. Assist you to enrol in the training*

5. Invoice your co-contribution, and

6. Make a total payment to the training organisation.

The BUSY Group

National Skills Checkpoint provider for all states and territories. 

Apply now

For more information about the Skills Checkpoint program and training incentive, please visit the Department of Education, Skills and Employment’s dedicated website.

5. Frequently asked questions (FAQs)?

Check out some of the frequently asked questions below.

How can I apply?

Please contact your Skills Checkpoint provider to discuss your eligibility and to complete the application process.

You are eligible for the incentive if you:

  • are aged 40 and over
  • are an Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • are currently employed and at risk of entering the income support system, or
    • recently unemployed (within twelve months) and not registered for assistance through an Australian Government employment services program (e.g. jobactive, Disability Employment Service, Community Development Programme).

  • have completed a Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers (Program) assessment that has identified training opportunities as part of your Career Plan.

Please note, eligibility for the Training Incentive is subject to completing a Skills Checkpoint assessment and Career Plan that identifies suitable training opportunities, which you will need to discuss with your Program Provider. Your Skills Checkpoint Career Plan may also identify suitable training opportunities that are not offered by TalentMed.

Participants undertake individually tailored assessments of their skill levels. Skills Checkpoint providers then develop a Career Plan to assist participants to identify:

  • gaps in their skills if they want to transition to a new career or undertake a new role in their current occupation; or
  • skills they could develop or enhance to increase their capacity to perform in their current role.

Where relevant, the Career Plan may also provide advice on potential new industries or roles where there may be job opportunities, and recommendations and information on appropriate training.

Your Skills Checkpoint provider can provide you with more information on what a Skills Checkpoint assessment involves and how it can assist you.

The Skills and Training Incentive (the Incentive) is available to people who have completed a Skills Checkpoint Program Career Plan that identified training opportunities linked to either their current job, a future opportunity, or an industry or occupation in demand.

The Incentive aims to assist older Australians to invest in their training and adopt a life-long approach to skills development.

Eligible participants may access up to $2,200 (GST inclusive) from the Australian Government to co-fund re-skilling or up-skilling opportunities.

From 1 January 2022, the Government Contribution for a training course related to an occupation in national shortage on the National Skills Commission’s Skills Priority List will be up to 75% of the course cost, up to a total of $2,200 (GST Inclusive). Either the Participant or their current employer must fund the balance of the training course costs.

The Government Contribution for a training course not related to an occupation in national shortage on the National Skills Commission’s Skills Priority List is up to 50% of the course cost, up to a total of $2,200 (GST Inclusive). In this instance, either the Participant or their current employer must match the Government Contribution and any remaining balance of the training course cost.

The Incentive is subject to limited availability per year. Participants must have first completed the Skills Checkpoint Program and have a Career Plan identifying suitable training needs.

The Government Contribution for a training course not related to an occupation in national shortage on the National Skills Commission’s Skills Priority List is up to 50% of the course cost, up to a total of $2,200 (GST Inclusive). So there will always be a requirement to make a co-contribution.

In this instance, either the Participant or their current employer must match the Government Contribution and any remaining balance of the training course cost.

For example, if you’re looking to enrol in TalentMed’s Diploma of Healthcare Documentation, the current tuition fee is $4,800.

Important to note, TalentMed’s courses are GST-free. Therefore, if you qualify for the maximum training incentive, you’ll receive $2,000 towards your enrolment (not $2,200).

This leaves you with a balance of just $2,800, which you (or your employer) will need to pay directly to your designated Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers provider prior to commencing the course. Please note, designated providers do not have credit facilities and therefore your co-contribution must be paid in full prior to commencing the course.

Once your designated Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers provider receives your co-contribution, they will then pay the total tuition fee (including the Government’s training incentive + your co-contribution) directly to TalentMed.

For more information about the Skills Checkpoint program and training incentive, please visit the Department of Education, Skills and Employment’s dedicated website.

Join the wave of Australian’s taking advantage of this amazing opportunity designed to help you re-skill or up-skill in the workforce.