At Sage, we’ve worked hard to ensure that several of our courses are available for government funding.
This means you can study a selection of our courses at a discounted price and get career-ready for less.
In this helpful guide, we’ll explore what a government subsidy is, what you need to do to be eligible, and which of Sage’s courses you can get a government subsidy for.
What is a government subsidy?
Government subsidy refers to a financial assistance program offered by the Australian Government to support students looking to undertake training or further education.
The federal and state government offer these subsidies on specific courses and qualifications to encourage Australians to develop job-ready skills, build expertise and gain practical knowledge that they can use to find rewarding vocational careers.
Subsidies are offered in several different industries – primarily in those that are in demand, where workers are needed immediately to fill vacancies. This makes government-subsidised courses an excellent way to start a rewarding career quickly, for a fraction of the price of a traditional course.
There are 14 funding programs offered across Australia. Some are state-specific, while others are country-wide. Each scheme is aimed at different groups of people looking for particular roles in niche industries.
Government-subsidised courses can only be delivered by an approved training provider. Sage Education Australia is authorised to use government subsidy under the Certificate 3 Guarantee and Higher Level Skills program by the state of Queensland.
Your approved course provider can help you check your eligibility for government funding. They can also provide you with personal support to help you get started with your new training program.
Does Sage offer government-subsidised training?
Sage is able to offer government funding for a select range of vocational courses.
We offer subsidised courses under the Queensland Government’s Certificate III Guarantee and Higher Level Skills programs.
These programs aim to assist residents of Queensland in gaining the skills needed to secure employment or to advance their careers in in-demand industries.
Note that, as per the Queensland government requirement, all students eligible for a subsidy must still pay a co-contribution fee to the training provider. This fee is charged on a per-unit basis.
What are the eligibility criteria?
To qualify for the Queensland Higher Level Skills Program, eligible students must meet the following criteria
- You are a Queensland resident.
- You are aged 15 or older.
- You are no longer at school.
- You are an Australian citizen, Australian Permanent Resident, New Zealand citizen or on a pathway to PR.
- You must not hold or currently be enrolled in a certificate IV or higher level qualification.
Which of Sage’s courses are eligible for a government subsidy?
We currently offer four courses under a government-subsidised training program. These are:
- CHC33015 – Certificate III in Individual Support
- CHC43015 – Certificate IV in Ageing Support
- CHC43115 – Certificate IV in Disability
- CHC52015 – Diploma of Community Services
- CHCSS00070 – Assist Clients with Medication Skill Set
- CHCSS00073 – Case Management Skill Set
All of our accredited training courses are designed to give you the job-ready skills and practical expertise you need to thrive in a vocational role.
If you’d like to learn more about each course to decide which pathway is right for you, get in touch. A member of our team will be happy to help you find a training program that meets your needs.
Let’s discuss what you can expect to learn on each of our subsidised courses and how Sage will help you secure employment once you finish your training.
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing or Disability)
Our CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support course is eligible for government subsidy because it falls under the Queensland government’s Certificate III guarantee program.
Sage teaches the course over a period of 20 weeks. However, many of our graduates finish the program sooner. You’ll have 12 months from your course start date to complete your training.
The Certificate III in Individual Support course is nationally recognised. This means it’s an accredited qualification that employers across Australia recognise.
What will I learn?
On the course, you’ll learn how to provide tailored person-centred support to individuals with diverse needs. You’ll gain the experience required to support independence, promote wellbeing and ensure the safety of older people or those with a disability.
You’ll also build an understanding of how to provide loss and grief support and ways to follow safe work practices.
When you enrol for the course, you’ll also have the option to take elective modules that will provide you with specialist experience in the aged care or disability care sectors. In these optional units, you’ll have the opportunity to learn how to provide end-of-life care, loss and grief support, and how to support community participation.
Note that students who wish to build expertise in both areas can choose to study all elective units if they wish to do so.
The course also includes 120 hours of vocational placement that must be completed to pass.
What job outcomes can I expect?
After completing the Certificate III in Individual Support course, you can expect to secure one of the following jobs shortly after finishing your training:
- Nursing Assistant
- Respite Care Worker
- Aged Care Support Worker
- Disability Support Worker
- Retirement Villages Care Worker
- Community-based Care Worker
- Personal Care Assistant
How is the course taught?
We teach our Certificate III course in a blended learning setting. For those that prefer in-person learning, we have a range of face-to-face sessions at our campuses in Logan Central, Ipswich or Redcliffe. You’ll have the option to choose between morning and evening classes, depending on your schedule.
We also have an online version of the course for students that would prefer to study in a virtual classroom.
Our Certificate III course offers rolling intakes, meaning you can start your training whenever you like. Simply contact one of our team members to discuss your options. Whatever your schedule, Sage will work with you to help you find a course plan that meets your needs.
If you’d like to learn more about the Certificate III in Individual Support course or want to enrol, you can visit the course page here.
Certificate IV in Ageing Support
Our CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support course is eligible for government subsidy because it falls under the Queensland government’s Higher Level Skills Program.
To be eligible for funding for this training program, you must also have completed a Certificate III in Individual Support or an equivalent course.
This course is suitable for existing workers in the aged care industry looking to move into a more advanced position.
We teach our Certificate IV course over a maximum period of one year. The time you spend in training will depend on your unique situation. Most graduates typically finish the course in about 5-7 months.
Note that you must also be employed in the aged care sector or as a support worker when commencing your course.
What will I learn?
During the Certificate IV course, you’ll learn how to facilitate the interests, rights and empowerment of older people. You’ll build an understanding of how to assist older people with diverse needs, such as dementia, long-term illness and disability.
Throughout the process, you’ll learn how to foster valuable relationships with older people while following safe working practices and managing ethical compliance.
The course also contains three elective units that students can take if they’d like to gain specialised skills in niche areas, such as in fall prevention and loss and grief support.
What job outcomes can I expect?
After completing your Certificate IV in Ageing Support Course, you could secure one of the following roles:
- Residential Care Worker
- Care Supervisor
- Community Program Coordinator
- Personal Care Worker
- Personal Caregiver
- Residential Care Officer
- Day Activity Worker
- Aged Support Worker (Community Services)
- Care Service Team Leader
How is the course taught?
We teach our Certificate IV in Ageing Support qualification in a varied setting, meaning you can study both online at your own pace and in person at one of our classrooms.
You’ll also be able to complete some of your training at work.
You can learn more about our Certificate IV in Ageing Support course here.
Assist Clients with Medication Skill Set
Our Assist Clients with Medication Skill Set course is also eligible for government funding.
Some of our graduates finish this Skill Set in as little as one day. However, you must complete any outstanding work at home if you cannot finish it in the classroom. You must also complete a third-party observation report with a Registered Nurse from your organisation.
To enrol, you must hold a Certificate III or higher in an area involving client support provision. You must also be working in the healthcare industry.
What will I learn?
During your course, you’ll learn how to recognise healthy body systems and assist clients with medication.
This skill set will enhance your confidence, make you more employable, and help you to advance your career.
Many of our successful graduates use the provided industry skills training to go on and secure advanced, well-paid positions in their chosen industry after completing their course.
How is the course taught?
We teach our Assist Clients with Medication Skill Set in a face-to-face one-day class. You can study at either Logan Central or Kippa-Ring.
If you’d like to learn more about this Skill Set or want to enrol, you can do so on the course page here.
Case Management Skill Set
We are also able to offer our Case Management Skill Set with a government subsidy. To be eligible, you must hold a Certificate III in Individual Support or an equivalent qualification.
The time it takes to complete the course depends on how quickly you can complete the assessments. Most of our applicants graduate from training in 6-8 weeks.
What will I learn?
You’ll learn how to manage diverse cases and provide individual case support to people with complex physical and emotional needs, including mental health issues and disabilities.
During your course, you’ll build an understanding of the fundamentals of case management, including the ethical responsibilities required to manage cases effectively.
Once you complete your course, you’ll have the confidence to manage complex cases in various contexts.
How is the course taught?
We teach our Case Management Skill Set entirely online, meaning you can work through the course content at your own pace from the comfort of your own home.
This also means that you can start the course anytime you like. Support will be provided to you whenever you need it, and trainer-led webinars will give you the guidance you need to work through assessments with confidence.
If you’d like to learn more about our Case Management Skill Set, click here.
Why study with Sage?
Sage is one of Australia’s leading nationally recognised providers of child care, individual support, first aid and aged care courses.
Since launching in 1998, we’ve helped over 4000 applicants graduate with the job-ready skills and practical expertise they need to succeed in vocational roles.
As part of our holistic approach to education, Sage also partners with top employers across Australia to help all of our graduates secure jobs once they finish their training.
We’re proud of our employment scheme and are happy to say that we help over 80% of our graduates find relevant, rewarding employment once they complete our Certificate III, Certificate IV or Diploma courses.
Want to learn more about us and the courses we offer? You can browse the complete list on our website. Still not sure which education path is right for you? Contact us here to discuss your options – we’re always happy to lend a hand.
