User Choice Program
In the User Choice program which is Queensland Government funded, supports the delivery of accredited entry-level training to apprentices and trainees.
The program works in conjunction with the Commonwealth Australian Apprenticeships System, under which apprentices and trainees enter into legally binding contracts with their employers and receive structured training to achieve a nationally recognised qualification.
User Choice allows employers, together with their apprentices and/or trainees to negotiate directly with registered training organisations to arrange quality accredited training to meet their specific needs.
With User Choice there must be a Supervising Registered Training Organisation (SRTO) for each apprentice and trainee. When FS Alliance is chosen as an SRTO we undertake to deliver specified services, including developing a training plan for the apprentice or trainee and monitoring the delivery of training and assessment stated in it.
Student Contribution Fees (Tuition Fees)
It is a requirement under the User Choice Program for all training providers, such as FS Alliance, to collect contribution fees (GST exempt fees). These fees are known as “Student Contribution Fees” or “Tuition Fees”. The rate of student contribution fees is set by the Queensland State Government and is reviewed annually. FS Alliance will advise students if their contribution fees increase during an individual’s apprenticeship or traineeship.
What is the current rate of student contribution fees?
The current rate of student contribution fee as set by the Queensland State Government is $1.60 per nominal hour. Here is an example of how this is calculated: The nominal hours for AMPX209 is 40 hours. To calculate the full fee for AMPX209 is as follows: 40hrs x $1.60 per nominal hour = $64.00.
You can check your training plan which will identify the units of competency you are enrolled in and the nominal hours allocated for each unit. You are then able to calculate the fees payable(cost) for each unit of competency you are enrolled in.
Refer to Course Fees and Refund Policy for further details.
Are there concessions available?
A full concession (meaning no fees payable) is available if:
- payment of the student contribution fee would cause the apprentice or trainee extreme financial hardship; OR
- the student is a school-based apprentice or trainee; OR
- if you Completed Year 12 within the last 12 months in Queensland
Free apprenticeships for under 21s
Free apprenticeships for under 21s will cover the cost of training for apprentices and trainees who commenced or are undertaking a priority apprenticeship or traineeship qualification from the 1st July 2019 to 30th June 2023. (https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/training-careers/incentives/freeapprenticeships)
Eligibility for Free apprenticeships for under 21s
To be eligible for Free apprenticeships under 21s, you must be employed as an apprentice or trainee under a training contract in one of the priority apprenticeship or traineeship qualifications on or after 1 July 2019.
Qualifications offered by FS Alliance that come under this category are:
- Laboratory Science
- MSL30118 Certificate III in Laboratory Skills – Traineeship
- MSL40118 Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques – Traineeship
- Meat and food processing
- AMP30815 Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher) – Apprenticeship
A partial exemption of fees (40% of fees are payable) where the student falls into one or more of the following exemption categories:
- the student holds a Health Care Card or pensioner concession card issued under Commonwealth law, or is the partner or a dependant of a person who holds a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, and is named on that card
- the student holds an official form under Commonwealth law that the student, his or her partner or the person on whom the student is dependant, is entitled to concessions under a health care card or pensioner concession card
- the student is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. Evidence is as stated on the Training Contract and the Enrolment form
How do you claim an exemption?
If you are a school-based apprentice or trainee, the exemption will automatically apply. When/if you become a part-time or full time apprentice or trainee, fees will become payable from that point (please check at that time whether you have eligible concessions).
For all other exemptions, please complete the “Exemption Form” and you must attach the current relevant documentation for FS Alliance to process your claim. If FS Alliance does not have the current and correct documentation student will be invoiced full fees for those units of competency/s at commencement of training.
NOTE: students must supply current relevant documentation to FS Alliance before concessional rates can be applied to contribution fees.
If an invoice has been raised at full fee rates because we are not in possession of the current relevant documentation at the time of invoicing, be advised that there is no retrospective adjustment regarding current/previous invoices.
Concessional rates only apply where current evidence has been received by FS Alliance Head Office.