If you are an Asylum Seeker or a trafficked person, you may be able to receive financial support to study a vocational course of your choice here at Chisholm TAFE

Changes to funding now allow Asylum Seekers and trafficked persons to access government subsidies from the Victorian Government without having to meet citizenship/residency requirements to study in Victoria.

What is the Asylum Seeker VET Program?

The Victorian government has expanded the Asylum Seeker Vocational Education Training (VET) Program to exempt eligible asylum seekers from the usual citizenship criteria required for participating in a Skills First training course.

The expansion of the program includes a range of new measures that increase Skills First accredited training places, broaden eligibility, lower fees, and make a wider range of subsidised courses available to eligible asylum seekers.

In addition to subsidising Skills First courses, the expanded program is funds two limited pre-accredited programs, the Asylum Seeker Learning Plan (ASLP) and the Asylum Seeker Language and Literacy (ASLL) program.

Under the Asylum Seeker VET program, the Victorian Government provides a limited number of exemptions from the usual criteria for undertaking government-subsidised accredited Skills First training courses.

What is Skills First funding?

Skills First funding is provided by the Victorian government to assist with the costs of your study. If you are eligible, the government will contribute to the cost of your training, which reduces the amount will need to pay.

Who can apply?

From 1 July 2023, eligibility to participate in the Asylum Seeker VET Program is for individuals or dependants of individuals, who:

  • Hold any humanitarian, protection, or refugee visa in Australia, or
  • Have applied for a humanitarian, protection or refugee visa and hold a bridging visa for this purpose, or
  • Have made an application under s.417 or s.48b of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) which is yet to be determined and hold a bridging visa.

How to apply

Asylum seekers

If you are an asylum seeker, ASRC can provide you with the completed forms confirming you are eligible. Bring these form to Chisholm.

Alternatively you can apply directly at Chisholm and we can validate your VISA, using Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO). For students who hold a bridging visa, you will also need to provide evidence of your application for a humanitarian, protection, or refugee visa or making an application under s.417 or s.48b of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth).

Contact 1300 517 459 for an appointment to discuss your career and study.

Trafficked persons

If you are a trafficked person, the ARC will provide you with the completed forms that confirm you are eligible for enrolment. Bring these forms to Chisholm.

Alternatively you can apply directly at Chisholm and we can validate your VISA, using Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO). For students who hold a bridging visa, you will also need to provide evidence of your application for a humanitarian, protection, or refugee visa or making an application under s.417 or s.48b of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth).

Contact 1300 517 459 for an appointment to discuss your career and study.