Rural and Remote Pilot

In 2024, the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training will trial a 12-month Rural and Remote Pilot (the Pilot) in Central and North Queensland (aligned to specific local government areas, or LGAs) to increase high-quality, face-to-face training options for Queenslanders living in these communities. The Pilot will support employers to grow or upskill their workforce through locally delivered training and assessment in priority qualifications.

The Pilot aims to:

• support priority student cohorts to participate in inclusive training that delivers individual social and economic benefits, particularly focusing on assisting First Nations people, people with a disability, and people from diverse multicultural backgrounds
• support individual learners through pre-training reviews to tailor each student's training and support plan
• support a student-centred approach to training participation, including helping participants post-training to transition to the workforce, advance in their career, or transition to higher-level training
• improve employability or career progression of eligible participants by providing relevant skills in demand in local areas
• reduce the cost of training for individuals and employers by bringing face-to-face training opportunities to their local area
• partner with departmentally approved registered training organisations (RTOs), enabling them to submit a business case for additional funding above current subsidies to support face-to-face training and assessment services.

The Pilot will help to inform the real costs associated with enabling face-to-face delivery in rural and remote Queensland.

We will provide a funding contribution towards the extra costs associated with the Pilot, including increased face-to-face training and support delivered in the Pilot's locations. This funding contribution will be considered (as part of the assessment process) based on each provider's itemised and detailed budget submission. Note: A student co-contribution fee is required.

RTO applicants approved as a Skills Assure Supplier (SAS) for the Pilot are only able to deliver training in the qualifications and LGAs stated on their Pilot Delivery Schedule. They will not be approved to deliver training beyond the Pilot scope and no funding will be paid by the department for any delivery outside the remit of the pilot.

Learn more in the Rural and Remote Pilot 2024 funding and application guide (PDF, 419KB).

Delivery locations

The Pilot will target selected LGAs in Central and North Queensland and operate for a period of 12 months from early 2024.

Note: Delivery outside these locations will not be permitted, nor funded.