Skills First Skill Sets

Skills First Skill Sets are an accredited short course (skill set) offering under Skills First to provide flexible, rapid training to respond to skills shortages and workforce demands.

Skill sets play a valuable role in reskilling and upskilling through addressing:

a skills or knowledge gap – e.g. where employers need additional staff with an essential skill, and it is possible to train that skill in a short period of time; and/or
an emerging skills or knowledge need – e.g. where a changing industry context requires new workforce skills in a short timeframe.

Skills First Skill Sets delivery supports rather than replaces full qualifications and will provide Victorians with training pathways to full qualifications that offer a broader array of skills and general capabilities.

A number of skill sets are also available fee-free as Free TAFE short courses under the Free TAFE initiative.

Accredited skill sets are available to Victorians through the Funded Skill Set List (FSSL). All skill sets on the FSSL are comprised of nationally recognised training and provide a pathway to employment in areas of industry need.
Skill Sets under the Funded Skill Set List are currently either:
- Training Package Skill Sets (selected from the national skill set list)
- Victorian ‘Courses in’ (developed in Victoria and recognised by the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority).
The FSSL focuses on industry-validated skill sets that provide reskilling opportunities and upskilling opportunities to support Victoria’s economic recovery and workforce demand.
Students will receive a Statement of Attainment on completion of a skill set on the FSSL.
All skill sets on the FSSL will be included as part of the wider Funded Course List.
Skill sets can only be delivered by Skills First contracted training providers and availability of skill sets can vary. We recommend checking the Victorian Skills Gateway for what is currently available and enquiring directly with your TAFE or training provider regarding your eligibility and enrolment.
The FSSL is regularly reviewed to ensure identified skill sets continue to align with Victoria’s economic, industry and community needs.
To be eligible for Skills First Skill Sets, you must be:
- an Australian citizen
- a permanent resident; or
- a New Zealand citizen
- living in Victoria at the time of your training.
Your age or qualification does not affect whether you are eligible, and completion of a skill set will not impact your eligibility and entitlement to access subsidised full qualifications on the Skills First Funded Course List.
Eligible students may start up to two skill sets per calendar year* and are able to undertake a maximum of two Skills First courses at any given time, e.g. one skill set and one full qualification. Access is subject to overall caps on the availability of places.
*This includes courses where a student starts but does not finish.
Please speak to your local Skills First provider about your eligibility.
Standard Skills First fee settings apply, including:
- student tuition fees determined by the training provider
- students eligible for a Skills First concession pay reduced fees accordingly, and providers receive a contribution towards fees forgone per the normal Skills First settings
- normal amenities/materials fees may be charged.
Subsidy rates are consistent with existing Skills First rates listed in the Funded Course List. For more information, please see the 2023 Guidelines About Fees on the VET Funding Contracts web page.
The Workforce Skill Sets Fund (WSSF) launched in October 2021 and is piloting partnership models between training providers and industry in the development of skill sets.
WSSF requires training providers to co-develop and deliver workforce training with an industry/business partner. The fund also requires a co-contribution from the industry partner to support industry investment in broader skills training.
WSSF is receiving applications under three streams of funding:
1.    delivery of existing skill sets that may require further support for viability
2.    development and delivery of different accredited skill set combinations where there is evidence of a business or broader current or emerging need
3.    development and delivery of new skill set training, including the use of non-accredited elements where existing training does not meet the need of industry.
Applications seeking funding for non-accredited elements under Stream 3 will be assessed on suitability for potential to progress to formal accreditation.
For further information visit Workforce Skills Set Fund.

More information

For more information about skill sets, visit the Victorian Skills Gateway or contact the TAFE and Training line on 13 18 23.

Education

Updated 17 October 2023