Eligible participants include:

• school leavers and young people considering vocational pathways
• jobseekers and people who are unemployed or at risk of unemployment
• career changers
• people living in rural, regional and remote communities
• people with disability
• parents and carers returning to the workforce
• people requiring literacy, language, numeracy, digital or other foundation skills support
• university students reconsidering their education or career direction
• people seeking entry into priority industries.

To participate, you must meet applicable Smart and Skilled eligibility requirements, any program-specific target group conditions and the entry requirements of your selected course.

Under the 2026-27 Smart and Skilled Student Eligibility Policy, you need to:

• be aged 15 years or older
• no longer be undertaking secondary education, subject to permitted exceptions
• live or work in NSW, subject to specified border-area exceptions
• be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, New Zealand citizen or eligible humanitarian visa holder, including certain eligible partner visa holders.

Meeting these requirements does not automatically guarantee a Summer Skills place. Course suitability, approved program conditions and available places will also be considered in determining whether you’re offered a fee-free training place.

Not unless you receive a permitted exemption, for more information refer to 2026-27 Smart and Skilled Student Eligibility Policy. You may become eligible once you have left high school and meet the other requirements.

The Smart and Skilled eligibility policy does not have an age cap. If you’re over 24 you may be eligible, provided you meet approved Summer Skills target group requirements, course conditions and other eligibility criteria.

If you’re already employed, you may be considered, subject to meeting the program’s eligibility requirements. Mandatory workplace or regulatory training your employer is required to provide, is generally not funded through Summer Skills.

You may still be eligible to enrol despite having a qualification. Your training provider will consider your existing skills, previous qualifications and whether the proposed course would duplicate training you completed or are currently undertaking.

You may have restrictions on accessing additional fee-free training, particularly where the proposed Summer Skills Units of Competency overlap with your current qualification. Your training provider must check the relevant funding rules and whether the Summer Skills course is appropriate for you, before confirming your eligibility.

Summer Skills courses comprise nationally recognised vocational training units or skill sets delivered by registered training organisations. If you successfully complete Units of Competency under the program, you can receive a Statement of Attainment issued by your training provider.

How long your course takes depends on the selected skill set and number of Units of Competency you’re undertaking, and how your training provider delivers the course.

Some courses may involve intensive training, while others may require attendance over several weeks. Your training provider will explain the course duration, attendance requirements and assessment arrangements before you enrol.

Summer Skills provides training opportunities across metropolitan and regional NSW. Where and how you participate in your course depends on your provider and approved course allocations. Some courses may be offered online or through a combination of online and in-person learning.

Your actual commencement dates will depend on your provider’s approval, course availability and relevant enrolment arrangements. Check with your provider for confirmed course dates. Training may begin from 9 November 2026 and must be completed by 25 March 2027.

This depends on your training’s conditions, course availability and whether additional training is appropriate. You should discuss any previous training you completed or are funded to complete with your training provider.

Training delivered under Summer Skills is fee-free. Your training provider should explain any additional costs before enrolment such as travel or equipment expenses. You should check about incidental expenses or external licensing charges with them before commencing training.

You will be asked to supply:

• personal and contact details
• evidence of identity, residency or citizenship status
• details of previous education and training
• information relevant to course entry requirements and training support needs.

You should discuss your learning needs and any required adjustments with your training provider before commencing. Your provider will assess course suitability against your training needs to help you identify your skills, learning requirements and any additional supports. Availability of supports will depend on your provider and applicable course requirements.

Summer Skills is designed to improve participants' skills and preparation for employment.

The training may help participants explore career opportunities or develop competencies sought by employers. However, completing a course does not guarantee employment.

Yes. Summer Skills will help you explore an industry and assist you in deciding whether an apprenticeship or traineeship is the right next step. Some courses may provide skills relevant to further vocational training. If you pursue a future qualification after Summer Skills, any recognition of prior learning will be assessed by that future registered training organisation.

When you complete the required Units of Competency, you will receive nationally recognised training documentation from your provider. Then you can decide your next steps – whether that’s career pathways, apprenticeship or traineeship opportunities or further training.