Training Initiative Funding Agreement

The Training Initiative Funding Agreement (the Agreement) sets out the terms and conditions under which the ACT Government may make funds available towards the cost of an RTO delivering subsidised training to eligible students. Holding a funding agreement does not however guarantee funding.

Current Agreement

The term of the current Agreement is 1 October 2023 - 30 September 2025, with an option to extend for a further two 12-month periods.

Applications for the Agreement are accepted on a rolling basis.

Training Initiative Funding Agreement template (DOCX 162KB) or (PDF 715KB) (for reference only).

Application Process

The application process has two steps:

Step 1

RTOs must complete and submit a SmartForm through the ACT Vocational Education and Training Administration Records System (AVETARS).  An AVETARS user account is not required to access the application.

Step 2

RTOs are required to undertake a financial viability assessment with the Independent Financial Assessor, Corporate Scorecard unless an exemption applies.

Application Guidelines

The Training Initiative Funding Agreement Application Guidelines - Version 2.0 (DOCX 922KB) or (PDF 697KB) provide detailed information about the application process. RTOs are strongly encouraged to review the Guidelines before completing their application.

If you have any enquiries regarding the Agreement or the application process, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions – Applying for a Training Initiative Funding Agreement (DOCX 143KB) or (PDF 224KB) or email Skills Canberra. The Directorate will respond to all enquiries within 5 business days.

Assessment Timeframes

The anticipated assessment time for applications is two months.

An RTO can notify Skills Canberra of any change of circumstances by submitting an RTO Change of Circumstances Notification (PDF 193KB) or by forwarding a copy of the notification form required by the Australian Skills Quality Authority by email to Skills Canberra.

On receipt of the notification, Skills Canberra reserves the right to seek further and more detailed information on the change, and may determine at its sole discretion, that such a change is sufficient to require the RTO to re-apply for an Agreement.

Subcontracting

Clause 8.1 of the Agreement states the mandatory terms and conditions regarding subcontracting.

Circumstances in which the Territory considers the arrangement between a Training Provider and another party (either an RTO, other entity or individual) constitutes a subcontracting arrangement requiring written approval by the Territory include, but are not limited to:

  • where the Training Provider engages an RTO that does not hold an Agreement or an organisation that is not an RTO, to conduct any training and/or assessment on its behalf
  • where any day to day responsibilities for the management of training delivery and/or assessment, for example administration of student records, is deferred to another individual or organisation.

The following instances do not, for the purposes of the Agreement, constitute a subcontract arrangement that require written approval by the Territory:

  • trainers and/or assessors hired as contractors or under an employment agreement
  • agencies, organisations or individuals contracted to deliver additional support, wrap around or work experience coordination services.

To apply for written approval, both the Training Provider and the proposed subcontractor must complete an Application for Subcontracting Arrangement Approval (PDF 1.28MB). Skills Canberra will notify the Training Provider of its decision within 30 calendar days of receiving the application. Failure to receive approval from Skills Canberra prior to commencing the use of any subcontracted service will be considered a breach of the Agreement and will constitute a default under clause 14 of the Agreement.

The written agreement between the Training Provider and the subcontractor for the intended subcontracting arrangement must establish the responsibilities of each party as per clause 8.3, for example, how the Training Provider will manage the subcontracting arrangement and ensure compliance with the Agreement. The written agreement may be the same agreement developed for Australian Skills Quality Authority's requirement under 2.3 of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015.

The written agreement must also include the names of all persons employed by the proposed subcontractor who will be involved in the training and/or assessment and their qualifications.

The written agreement must be in place prior to commencing the subcontracted service.

Brokerage Arrangements

Clause 8.2 of the Agreement states the mandatory terms and conditions regarding Brokerage Arrangements.

Circumstances in which the Territory considers the arrangement between a Training Provider and another party constitutes a Brokerage Arrangement include, but are not limited to, where a broker is providing marketing services or information and advice in relation to ACT funded training initiative and/or recruiting or enrolling students in ACT funded training initiatives on behalf of the Training Provider. In delivering services, the broker must not collect any Personal Information or collect Tuition Fees on behalf of the Training Provider.

The Training Provider must notify Skills Canberra in writing within a minimum of 10 business days of the proposed brokerage arrangement. The Training Provider must also enter into a written agreement with the broker before delivering any services. The written agreement must establish the responsibilities of each party and ensure compliance with the Agreement as per clause 8.2.(c).