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Telephone 1800 773 048
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Who can request funding under the Trade Skills Assessment and Gap Training (TSAGT) Program?
Department of Employment, Small Business and Training approved User Choice Skills Assure suppliers with (1) with an eligible scope of registration, (2) training and completion outcomes under their User Choice Skills Assure Agreement and (3) links to employers willing to upskill employees or employ graduates on completion of the program, are eligible to request funding.
How much funding can be requested?
There is no minimum amount of funding per request. Funding is provided at the rate of $2,000 per participant for recognition of prior learning and $2,700 per participant to deliver the gap training required, as outlined in the TSAGT Program Policy.
How do I submit my request for funding?
Eligible User Choice Skills Assure suppliers request TSAGT Program funding by completing the online TSAGT Program funding request form.
Can participants enrol in TSAGT without substantial industry experience?
No. The intent of the TSAGT Program is to provide an opportunity for eligible Queenslanders with substantial industry experience to complete a priority TSAGT trade qualification.
To enrol in the TSAGT Program, a participant's employment history must substantiate several years of relevant industry experience.
Are participants eligible if they have already completed a trade qualification?
Participants who have previously completed a trade qualification that is not in 'the same industry area' are eligible. For the purposes of the TSAGT Program, the same industry area is defined as a qualification within the same national training package.
Permission may be sought from the department to recruit participants outside of the eligibility criteria when accompanied by a business case addressing emerging skilling needs and verified evidence of employers' commitment.
Do participants need to contribute to the cost of the training?
Yes. Participants will be required to contribute to the cost of their gap training only - at the rate of $1.60 per nominal hour or, where eligible, at the User Choice concessional rate.
Participants are not required to contribute to the recognition of prior learning component of TSAGT.
What qualifications are funded under the program?
The definition of a priority trade qualification does not incorporate every qualification declared and listed as an apprenticeship or traineeship in the User Choice qualifications and price list.
The program targets most, but not all, apprenticeships that have been declared as a restricted calling in Queensland. Refer to the TSAGT Program eligible qualification list.
Can the entire qualification be completed through recognition of prior learning?
No. Gap training of one or more units of competency must occur.
Can the entire recognition of prior learning component of the program be completed through credit transfer?
No. While credit transfers can be reported under the program, a claim consisting entirely of credit transfers is not payable under the TSAGT agreement.
What is the process for validating the outcomes of the recognition of prior learning assessment for an overseas qualification?
A recognition of prior learning assessment process is required if there is no Commonwealth of Australia mutual recognition arrangement for the trade occupation with the country that issued the original qualification.
To ensure validity in assessing an international qualification which may not be equivalent to an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualification, the outcomes of the RPL process and the proposed gap training must be validated by a panel of no less than three (3) external industry representatives, prior to enrolment. The RPL outcomes and evidence of the Panel members' validation of the proposed gap training is retained for program monitoring and audit purposes.
The RPL assessment process will involve assessment of an individual's relevant prior learning including formal (credit transfer), informal (unstructured, unaccredited) and non-formal learning (structured, unaccredited) to determine the credit outcomes of an individual application for credit under the AQF.
When issuing TSAGT qualifications, is there a specific TSAGT pathway testamur to be used?
Yes. The TSAGT testamur (PDF, 331KB) meets AQF issuance requirements and specifically references the TSAGT Pathway.
How will I know if my request has been received?
Soon after submitting your request for TSAGT Program funding, you will receive a system-generated acknowledgement from the department to confirm receipt of your request. Please email ProgramDesign@desbt.qld.gov.au if you do not receive this email confirmation the same day.
How will I know if I am successful in gaining funding?
All applicants will receive written notification of the outcome of their request for funding within three weeks of submitting their request.
If we are unsuccessful, can we request funding again in the future?
Being unsuccessful does not necessarily exclude or disqualify your organisation from requesting TSAGT Program funding again in the future.
Related information
Last updated 3 November 2021
