$3000 Skills Voucher
11 January, 2008
Overview
Work Skills Vouchers worth up to $3000 are now available to interested Australians aged 25 and over who do not have Year 12 or a certificate level II qualification.
The vouchers will improve the basic skills of Australians currently in the workforce or looking for work who have no formal qualifications. Improvements in basic skills will help people who are already in employment to move into higher level positions and assist those who are looking for work to find jobs.
Am I eligible?
Australian citizens or permanent residents aged 25 years and over who do not have a Year 12 or equivalent qualification or certificate level II or higher level qualification are eligible to apply for a Work Skills Voucher.
The Registered Training Organisation will ask you to complete a statutory declaration confirming that you have not previously completed a Year 12 or equivalent or certificate level II or higher level qualification. Depending on your circumstances, you will need to bring along other documents to apply. Contact your Registered Training Organisation to find out what these are.
Income support recipients will need to provide the training organisation with an Income Support Statement. You can print your Income Support Statement from Centrelink’s Online Services site.
To access Centrelink’s Online Services site, please select ‘Online Services’ from the menu on the left hand side of the Centrelink’s home page . Scroll down to the heading ‘Income and Assets’ and select: ‘1. View Your Income and Asset Summary’. Please note you may need to register to use these services.
Priority will be given to applicants in the following order:
unskilled workers wishing to acquire qualifications;
income support recipients who will face active job search requirements in the next two years. This includes:
income support recipients receiving Personal Support, Disability Support, Vocational Rehabilitation Support, Parents or Carers payments; and parents (or carers/guardians) on parenting payment whose youngest child has turned 4 and who, if still receiving income support, will be required to look for work when their youngest child turns 6;
unemployed job seekers in receipt of income support and participating in the Job Network who are undertaking active job search (provided they continue to meet their activity test requirements); and
people not in the labour force, either voluntarily or because of carer responsibilities, who intend to seek work after achieving their qualification (including people who are voluntarily participating in employment services).
People who have already completed Year 12 or equivalent or a certificate level II or higher qualification will not be eligible for a Work Skills Voucher.