Higher Level Skills Program
The Higher Level Skills Program supports eligible individuals with access to a subsidised training place in selected Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) certificate IV level and above qualifications or priority skill sets, with a pre-approved registered training organization (RTO) of their choice – otherwise known as a pre-qualified supplier (PQS).
The principal aims is to help individuals gain the high-level skills required to secure employment or career advancement in a priority industry or transition to university to continue their studies. The Higher Level Skills program also provides eligible employers or industries with the capacity to address current workforce development needs that are adversely impacting productivity, where individual employees meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
Funding Details
FS Alliance is an approved Skills Assure Supplier, this means you may be able to access funding while studying with us. The Higher Level Skills Program is one type of funding offered by the QLD Government.
In this section, you will find all the relevant funding information and how it relates to eligible students. If you choose to enrol and apply for funding, you will receive both a tentative enrolment email and a confirmation of enrolment which will provide you with the specific times, locations and requirements for your enrolment.
If you complete a course under the Higher Level Skills arrangements, you will no longer be eligible to access further funding under the Higher Level Skills Program.
You will receive and be required to complete a student training and employment survey within three months of completing or discontinuing the qualification.
For independent information please access the department’s Higher Level Skills Student Factsheet.
Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for the Higher Level Skills program is set by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT). To be eligible for government assistance, prospective students must meet and provide evidence for the following eligibility criteria:
- Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or Australian permanent resident (including humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency*
- Be a Queensland resident
- Aged 15 years of age or older
- Not hold or be enrolled in a certificate IV level or higher qualification (not including qualifications completed at school and foundations skills training)**.
*This may include some humanitarian entrants or temporary residents with the necessary visa and work permit on the pathway to permanent residency. Contact FS Alliance for visa checks.
**There are cases where a student may still be eligible for funding:
- A certificate IV qualification completed at secondary school and/or a Certificate level I to Advanced Diploma qualification issued prior to 1995 have no impact on eligibility for funding
- To be eligible for funding under a Skill Set, students must not have completed the subjects that are included in the Skill Set/s, where they have not completed all subjects, they may only access funding for those subjects.
Accepted Eligibility Evidence
Additional Evidence
Additional evidence to support Queensland residency includes:
- Australian Electoral Commission document (e.g. acknowledgement of electoral enrolment letter or electoral enrolment card)
- Contract of property purchase, lease / rental document, mortgage/land ownership certificate
- Electricity, gas or telephone account issued in the last six (6) months
- Queensland local government rates notice
- Queensland Driver Licence or Queensland Driver Licence Receipt
- Bank statement issued within the last six (6) months
- Official letter from Centrelink or the Australian Government Department of Human Services
- Australian Taxation Office assessment / Tax-file number confirmation notice
- Notice from the Court issued the last six (6) months (must contain seal/stamp). **
Fees and Charges
Co-Contribution Fees
Students receiving funding under the Higher Level Skills program must contribute towards the cost of their course/training. The co-contribution fees differ for each course; refer to the following table/s for pricing.
The price tables detail the fees and charges due prior to any outcome being reported. Fees are always rounded down.
Fees are broken down to a unit level so students can calculate the cost of their course accurately when they have Credit Transfers* applied.
Fees may be paid on your behalf by an employer or another third party (but not by FS Alliance). If you are required to pay fees personally you will be given a payment advice that details the total amount due and a payment schedule.
Fees are calculated by Course Fee ÷ No Units – Credit Transfers and Gap units = Total due.
Example: If a course fee is $240 and the qualification contains 12 units and the student 3 Credit Transfers, the course fees will be calculated as follows:
$240 ÷ 12 = $20 per unit
$240 – 3 Credit transferred units @ $20 = $200 total
*Credit transfers must be supported by a copy of the certificate, statement of attainment or USI transcript.
Students have the option of choosing multiple methods to pay for their course fees (i.e. direct debit, payment plan or over the phone), refer to the Fees and Charges Information Sheet for more details.
Concession
A student may access concessional pricing as follows:
- The Student holds a Health Care concession card or Pensioner concession card issued under Commonwealth law, or is the partner or a dependant of a person who holds a Health Care concession card or Pensioner concession card, and is named on the card; or
- The Student issues FS Alliance with an official form under Commonwealth law confirming that the Student, his or her partner or the person of whom the Student is a dependant, is entitled to concessions under a Health Care or Pensioner concession card; or
- The Student is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person. Acceptable evidence is as stated on the AVETMISS VET Enrolment Form
- The student has a disability (documented evidence from a medical practitioner must be provided)
- The student is an adult prisoner (evidence to be provided)
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Card.
Fees
The price tables list the fees and charges due prior to any outcome being reported.
*Please enquire for course availability
Fees may be paid on your behalf by an employer or another third party (but not by FS Alliance). If you are required to pay fees personally, you will be given a payment advice that details the total amount due and a payment schedule.
Refund Policy
FS Alliance will refund in full any course fees, where a request to withdraw is received seven (7) days prior to course commencement. No refund is due when a withdrawal is within seven (7) days prior to commencement or after training has commenced, except for extenuating circumstances. Refer to the Fee Refund Information Sheet for full details.
Learner Support Services
FS Alliance Trainers and Support Officers provide students with real time assistance for any learner support needs. Students are required to disclose all needs that may impact their learning and participating prior to commencement of training.
During your induction or orientation, FS Alliance will assess your learner needs and you will be able to identify areas where assistance may be required. Our staff are always happy to help you whenever possible. If you are facing problems of any kind, please do not hesitate to contact an Administrative Assistant, Course Coordinator or your Trainer on 07 54 993 388 or admin@fsalliance.edu.au. We encourage you to take advantage of the support facilities available before any problems become an issue.
FS Alliance can provide access to specialist support for students who may have special needs, including assistance for:
- Language, literacy and numeracy
- People from disadvantaged backgrounds
- Persons from non-English speaking backgrounds
- People with disabilities
- People in rural or isolated locations
Other services include:
- Career assessment: Assessing the student’s innate interests and personality to allow the student to make informed choices about their career plans and the course that is right for their needs
- Flexible assessment procedures: Our strategies allow for students to demonstrate outcomes in appropriately diverse ways
- Language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) assistance: We can assist with LLN barriers and/or help you to access appropriate specialised support
