Upskilling & Short Course Funding (Disbursements)

Our Upskilling and Short Course Funding program provides subsidies to eligible construction industry workers (including apprentices and trainees) who successfully complete short training courses to  learn new skills for their work.

Subsidies are only payable to participants who complete the course in full.

Courses eligible for funding

Courses recognised in our Upskilling and Short Course Funding program must have direct benefits for the skills and/or knowledge of workers in the construction industry.  

The course must develop, maintain or improve skills relevant to employment in the building and construction industry and:

• Be directly related to the building and construction industry; and
• Be structured in terms of training and assessment methods; and
• Have no other significant objective, such as recreation.

Courses that are not recognised:

• Generic skills, such as general computer skills
• Motivational, or other personal development skills
• Seminars and conferences
• Courses resulting in a qualification higher than Diploma level
• Any program or course that is subject to the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) or are substantially supported by public funds.

Recognised course categories include:

• Construction skills
• Industry skills
• Software skills
• Occupational licensing
• Occupational health and safety (OH&S)
• Higher qualifications.

Construction skills courses

These courses are designed for the acquisition of practical skills and may result in a certificate of competency or a ‘ticket’ to operate machinery or plant. An eligible participant must be able to demonstrate successful completion of the qualification prior to claiming the training subsidy.

Courses may cover, but are not restricted to:

• Trade skills
• Technical skills
• Post-trade skills.

Industry skills courses

These courses should promote operational and business effectiveness within the construction industry.  Courses within this category support training relating to the management, business, technology, communication and semi-professional skills used in the industry.

Courses may cover, but are not restricted to:

• Communication skills
• Specification writing
• Business management relevant to the industry
• Project management
• Costing/estimating/ordering
• Relevant frontline management
• Contract formation and administration
• Negotiation and conflict resolution
• Supervision
• Tender and contract management
• Relevant computer skills
• Sales in the construction industry.

Software skills courses

These courses provide eligible individuals, builders and small contractors who manage building and construction businesses with the skills required to meet onsite commitments and compliance requirements under the Australian Building Codes.

The objective of the program is to contribute to the overall operational and business effectiveness of the industry. As such, the training should relate to technology, communication and semi-professional skills used in the industry.

Courses may cover, but are not restricted to:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft Outlook
• MYOB and other accounting software packages.

Occupational licensing

Eligible participants that successfully complete all training components for a range of occupational licenses may claim a maximum subsidy of $550.

Please refer to the rates quoted in Funding for Construction Skills, Industry Skills, Software Skills and OH&S.

Occupational licenses recognised in the program include but may not be limited to:

• Electrical contractor’s license*^
• Restricted electrical license*
• Painter’s registration
• Plumbing contractor’s license^
• ACMA open cabling registration*
• Fibre optics*
• Coaxial cabling*
• Gas servicing.

^Maximum available funding inclusive of any components completed that contribute to other/full licenses

*Qualified, eligible electricians and apprentice electricians only

Occupational health and safety (OH&S)

The CTF supports OH&S training for workers and companies required to perform roles on-site that specifically relate to construction work.

This includes engineers, architects and project managers required to enter live construction site to inspect construction work and/or supervise work that is being done.

Higher qualifications

The following Certificate IV/Diploma courses are recognised for CTF-funding:

• Certificate IV Work Health and Safety (formerly Occupational Health and Safety)
• Certificate IV Project Management Practice
• Certificate IV in Leadership and Management (previously Frontline Management)
• Diploma in Work Health and Safety (formerly Occupational Health and Safety)
• Diploma in Environmental Management.

Participants completing individual or component units of these higher qualifications can only apply directly to the CTF for training subsidies on successful completion of each unit or component.  

The maximum subsidy available for successful completion of these Certificate IV qualifications (or part thereof) is $1,300 (metropolitan delivery) or $1,700 (regional delivery).

Online training

Industry stakeholders have expressed concern about the validity of online training and assessment methodologies in some circumstances.  As a result, the CTF’s default position is that online delivery of training is not approved for funding, unless the course is specifically approved for online delivery or the course participant obtains pre-approval for online delivery citing exceptional circumstances (and subject to all other eligibility criteria being met).

The CTF conducts a review of the relevance of new courses not previously subsidised prior to approval for funding.

Online courses may be approved under our programs if:

• The qualification or training outcome is recognised and/or accredited by an appropriate accrediting authority; and
• The RTO can demonstrate robust assessment procedures for online training.

Eligible participants who have successfully completed a training course where online delivery is approved or pre-approved could receive a subsidy for up to 70% of the course cost to a maximum of $1,100.

Who can deliver a CTF-recognised training course?

Recognised training courses must be delivered in WA and:

• Under the authority of a Recognised Training Organisation (RTO) recognised by the WA Training Accreditation Council (TAC) or similar authority; and
  • By a person with a Certificate IV qualification in workplace training and assessment, or a relevant qualification in the case of non-accredited courses.

RTOs and course approval

To determine the suitability of a course for Upskilling and Short Course Funding, we require the following information for each course the RTO is seeking recognition for:

• A detailed course outline for training and assessment components, including:
  • Course content and how the content has been tailored to meet the needs of the building and construction industry; and
  • Learning outcomes and their relevance to the industry.
• Training and assessment methods, including:
  • Duration of the course; and
  • Accreditation details, if the course is more than 24 hours in duration; and
  • Target or recommended participant group; and
  • Maximum retail cost of the course being advertised and promoted by the RTO.

Verification of competency

We do not subsidise the cost of verification of competency (VoC) assessments. The only support provided for assessment is a subsidy for the cost of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessments relating to trade apprenticeship and traineeship qualifications.

Funding for Construction Skills, Industry Skills, Software Skills and OH&S

Eligible participants can receive $31 per hour to a maximum of $248 per eight-hour training day, or 70% of the course cost as noted on the invoice issued to the trainee, whichever is lower, for a wide range of courses delivered in the Perth metro area.  

The maximum amount that can be claimed per person, per course, is $1,300.

Rebates for training delivered in Perth metro

If these courses are undertaken regionally, we can provide a subsidy of $34 per hour (to a maximum of $272 per eight- hour training day, or 80% of the actual course cost, whichever is lower) towards an eligible course.  

The maximum amount that can be claimed per employee, per course, is $1,700.

Rebates for training delivered in regional areas

Comparison of rebates delivered for training in Perth metro and regional areas

Funding for Occupational Licensing and Higher Qualifications

Eligible participants can claim subsidies for completed modules in their study towards a recognised higher qualification to a maximum of the stated cap.

Rebates for training delivered in Perth metro

We can provide a subsidy of up to $15 per hour (to a maximum of $120 per eight-hour day, or 70% of the actual course cost, whichever is lower) for recognised training courses delivered in the Perth metro area.

• The maximum amount that can be claimed per eligible participant, per Occupational Licensing course is $500.
• The maximum amount that can be claimed per participant for a completed Higher Qualification is $1,300 (or $1,100 online).

Rebates for training delivered in regional areas

If this training is undertaken regionally, we can provide a subsidy of $16 per hour (to a maximum of $132 per eight-hour day, or 80% of the actual course cost, whichever is lower) towards an eligible course.

• The maximum amount that can be claimed per eligible participant, per Occupational Licensing course is $550.
• The maximum amount that can be claimed per participant for a completed Higher Qualification is $1,700 (or $1,100 online).

Example for occupational licensing

Example for higher qualification

How to claim the Upskilling and Short Course subsidy

An eligible participant can claim an Upskilling and Short Course subsidy through the CTF portal.

Supporting documentation is required for all claims.

If an individual paid for the training course:

• Proof of payment (receipt from RTO); and
• Proof of successful course completion (Statement of Attainment and/or Certificate).

If an employer paid for the training course:

• Copy of the paid invoice/receipt for payment of training course; and
• Proof of successful course completion (Statement of Attainment and/or Certificate); and
• Invoice* from the employer to the CTF for the subsidy.

* If GST was incurred on the cost of training, GST can be included on the employer’s invoice to the CTF. If GST was not incurred, GST should not be added to the employer’s invoice. 

We must receive the claim within 12 months of successful course completion.

Funding information for RTOs

Bulk-billing RTOs

RTOs delivering CTF-recognised courses in the Upskilling and Short Course Funding program can apply for bulk billing status.

Bulk billing enables an RTO to offer CTF-subsidised rates to eligible participants, upfront.

A bulk billing RTO will determine the eligibility of a participant. Once eligibility has been established, the RTO will invoice the course cost (less the CTF-approved subsidy) to the participant. The RTO will claim the difference from the CTF when the participant has successfully completed and paid for the training course.

The RTO will include a reference to the CTF subsidy on the participant’s invoice, as shown below:

RTOs interested in becoming bulk-billers with the CTF should contact us at info@ctf.wa.gov.au for further information.

Non-bulk billing RTOs

Non-bulk billing RTOs offering courses which are recognised for subsidies under the Upskilling and Short Course Funding program are welcome to inform clients of a possible subsidy and direct them to our website.

The CTF has final determination of course approval for training subsidies.

Accountability requirements

The Board reserves the right to use the powers granted under Section 28(7) of the Building and Construction Industry Training Fund and Levy Collection Act 1990, to conduct an examination or inquiry considered necessary to validate claims made for financial support by training providers and persons undertaking subsidised training.

Additional benefits

We provide a range of additional benefits to construction industry workers.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

An individual that has successfully completed a RPL or Skills Assessment process towards a recognised qualification normally completed through an apprenticeship pathway may be eligible to claim up to $400 towards the cost of assessment.

Individuals should apply through the CTF portal.

General assessments and/or verifications of competency (VoC) are not recognised for CTF subsidies.

Please refer to ‘Eligibility for CTF grants and subsidies’ for more information.

Claims for RPL must be lodged within 12 months of the date of course completion.

Try-A-Trade

The Try-A-Trade program is available to Year 9 and 10 students throughout WA. The program is designed as a first step into a building and construction career by giving students a taste of different trades in a trade training environment. It is a practical, hands-on initiative that helps students make informed choices about possible career pathways in building and construction.

We fully fund the program and it is delivered through Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).

Each Try-A-Trade course focuses on two or three specialist trade areas, depending on the RTO. They include but are not limited to:

• Bricklaying, plastering and tiling
• Carpentry, wall and ceiling lining and painting and decorating
• Electrical and air conditioning mechanics.

The program is coordinated and delivered by CTF-contracted RTOs who deliver construction trade training to current apprentices.

Qualified lecturers deliver the training and, where possible, a CTF Industry Training Advisor delivers a careers presentation with relevant information about the next steps in their career and education.

RTOs interested in delivering the Try-a-Trade program should contact our Industry Training Advisor team by emailing ita@ctf.wa.gov.au

Career information presentations

Schools can arrange to have a CTF guest speaker address groups of students about the variety of career opportunities in the construction industry.

Our presenter can provide expert knowledge of the industry, the apprenticeship and traineeship system, the wide range of exciting careers available and share some great stories about career development.

Pre-apprenticeship award payments

An individual that has successfully completed one of the recognised Pre-Apprenticeship qualifications may be eligible to receive a payment of $500.

This Pre-Apprenticeship Scholarship Program award is available to individuals who completed their qualification through full-time enrolment with an RTO.

The recognised qualifications include:

• Certificate II Building and Construction (52893WA) streams:
  • Bricklaying and blocklaying
  • Carpentry
  • Painting and decorating
  • Plastering
  • Roof plumbing
  • Roof tiling
  • Wall and ceiling fixing
  • Wall and floor tiling
• Certificate II Electrical Mechanic Career Start (UEE code)
• Certificate II Plumbing
• Certificate II Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (MEM code)

Individuals who successfully complete the Certificate II in Building and Construction (Trade or Business Pathways), Certificate II in Civil Construction (RII20713) or the Certificate II in Plumbing (52700WA) whilst enrolled in a WA as part of a recognised WACE program, may be eligible to receive a payment of $500 from the CTF.

Applications for the $500 award can be lodged through the CTF portal.

We strongly recommend referring to our step-by-step instructions in our How To Guide for lodging a claim in the portal.

Claims for the pre-apprenticeship payment must be lodged within 12 months of the date of qualification completion.

Travel and accommodation allowance

The Travel and Accommodation Allowance program provides a subsidy to eligible training attendees to assist with the cost of travel and accommodation when travelling more than 70 kms (round trip) to a training provider.

This program will be available from 1 July 2024.

The Travel and Accommodation Allowance is available to four groups of people.

• Eligible apprentices and trainees who travel more than 70 kms (round trip) to complete off-the-job training.
• Current regional construction workers and regional apprentices travelling for supplementary skills training that is not available at their location.
• Regional school groups attending a Try-A-Trade.
• Eligible Certificate II Pre-apprenticeship students travelling to attend training for their qualifications.

Apprentices completing qualifications can claim the CTF Travel and Accommodation Allowance rebate in addition to the Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD) Travel and Accommodation Allowance.

How to claim?

Apprentices completing qualifications can claim the CTF Travel and Accommodation Allowance rebate in addition to the Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD) Travel and Accommodation Allowance.

How much can I claim?

Example 1 of accommodation claim:

Accommodation invoice             $130 per night 

DTWD allowance                          $100 per night 

Difference                                        $30 per night 

CTF allowance                               $30 per night 

Example 2 of accommodation claim:

Accommodation invoice             $280 per night 

DTWD allowance                          $100 per night 

Difference                                        $180 per night 

CTF allowance                               $100 per night 

When must I claim by?

Please refer to general conditions of eligibility in Section 2 'Eligibility for CTF grants and subsidies' and the Upskilling and Short Course Funding program for further information.

Continue reading Table of employer grants

Contact us

For further information, please contact us:

• For general queries: info@ctf.wa.gov.au
• For levy-related queries: levycompliance@ctf.wa.gov.au
• (08) 9244 0100
• www.ctf.wa.gov.au