Regional and Specialist Training Fund

Grant guidelines will be available when the next funding round opens.

All Victorian training providers that hold a current Skills First VET Funding Contract are eligible to apply. This includes Victorian TAFEs (including dual-sector universities), learn locals and private registered training providers (RTOs).

RSTF focuses on 3 priority areas.

Priority area 1: Localised employer need in regional Victoria (Regional)

All regional areas of Victoria are eligible for RSTF funding through this stream. Regional grants address local skill needs across regional areas of Victoria, in the locations where employer and students reside.  This includes training that is critical for Victoria’s regional economies to equip students with the training needed to support the local workforce skills required.

Priority area 2: Specialised occupations of economic significance to Victoria (Specialist)  

Supporting specialist occupations is critical to facilitating the government’s response to structural change occurring in the economy. Training in Victoria needs to be efficient, flexible and responsive to new and emerging industry specialisations.  

The government recognises that there are courses for specialised occupations of economic importance to Victoria, which are not currently delivered to levels demanded by industry. RSTF enables training for specialist occupations where training activity demanded by industry is small (but of high economic value) and the cost of delivering high-quality training is not viable at the mainstream subsidised rate.

Applicants are advised to refer to the Victorian Skills Plan for guidance on the specialised occupations of economic importance to Victoria. Applications that address the identified occupations will be prioritised for funding.

Priority area 3: Supports diverse cohorts to participate in training (Priority cohorts)  

The Victorian Government is committed to supporting priority cohorts to engage in education and training. RSTF supports training for priority cohorts to access courses, where there is an identified cost barrier to delivering training that meets the needs of the cohort. Current priority:

• students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• students experiencing barriers to employment (e.g. long-term unemployed)
• students from culturally and linguistically diverse groups
• students with disabilities
• women seeking to participate in training in male-dominated industries.
• students from low socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds

Applicants are advised to refer to the current list of Victorian Government priorities for guidance on the government's current target priority cohorts for funding through RSTF. Applications that address the target cohorts will be prioritised for funding.

Applications for RSTF funding are currently closed.

Applications can be lodged outside of funding rounds where a time-sensitive opportunity has been identified. Please contact rstf@djsir.vic.gov.au to confirm when an out-of-session application will be assessed. Applicants will need to provide their rationale for the urgency of the issue being addressed.

Opportunities in between rounds may arise at times to meet workforce needs or priorities. You should work with the department in the first instance to discuss your proposal and the appropriate process for progressing your application. 

Applications will be assessed against the eligibility and assessment criteria. Applications that address the priorities identified by the Victorian Government will be prioritised for funding. The key assessment criteria are:

• alignment to at least one of the Victorian Government identified priority areas: regional/specialist/priority cohorts (60%)
• initiatives that maximise attraction and retention of priority cohorts (20%)
• capability, capacity and approach to training delivery (20%).

All applications will also be required to provide:

• a budget that clearly outlines and provides justification of proposed expenditure. 
• an evaluation plan template 
• details on how the proposal will be sustained post-funding
• a plan outlining how best practice and learnings will be shared across the training sector. 

If an application is non-compliant with the requirements, the applicant will be notified and provided an opportunity to reapply in the following round. Typically you will be advised within 12 weeks on the outcome of your application.

Funded projects are expected to be completed within 24 months of a grant being awarded.