About Skills First

Skills First is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding that provides subsidised training to eligible students to get them ready for jobs today and in the future.

Skills First offers:

  • High-quality training that students and industry can trust, aligned to industry and workforce needs.
  • A real voice for industry in training.
  • Funding for high needs learners who need additional support to engage with and succeed in education and training.
  • Access to targeted, relevant training for students in regional areas.

AMES Australia provides government-subsidised training places across many of our centres, and if you’re eligible for Skills First funding you may be able to complete your course for a reduced fee.

Students eligible for Skills First can enrol in General English courses, Work Skills, or learn the skills for jobs in specific industries such as Childcare or Aged care.

Skill First courses are delivered with Victorian funding for eligible applicants. People with disability are encouraged to apply.

AMES Australia is currently offering the following courses under Skills First:

  • Work Skills for Professionals, Customer Service & Office Administration
  • Arabic, Chinese, Karen and Vietnamese Bilingual Class
  • English for Living and Working in Australia
  • Certificate III in Individual Support (Aging, Home and Community)
  • Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Click here for more information of Skills First funded courses available at AMES Australia. 

You can check if you are eligible for a government-subsidised place by using the government's online Victorian Skills Gateway Eligibility Indicator. You can also read the Skills First Program Student Eligibility Requirement fact sheet.

If you are referred to training under a special initiative, you may not need to meet certain criteria to be eligible for a Victorian government-subsidised place. Specific initiatives include:

Quality indicator surveys:

During studies, students may receive surveys. This helps AMES Australia towards continuously improving our training services and reporting our quality to the regulators.For students who enroll under the Skills First Program, please be advised that you may receive an NCVER survey, an invitation to participate in a Department endorsed project, an invitation to participate in the Department’s Annual Student Outcome Survey, and/or being contacted by the Department (or persons by the Department) for audit, review or investigation purposes.

If you have any questions about Skills First, contact us now.