NSW SMART AND SKILLED

Unlock Your Potential with Smart and Skilled in NSW

Academies Australasia is a group of colleges with registered training organisations offering a range of qualifications in different states. We are an organisation that believes in empowering individuals through education.

We are proud that one of our colleges, Academies Australasia Institute, RTO Code 90806, offers courses under the Smart and Skilled program, an initiative by the NSW Government aimed at making vocational education and training more accessible and affordable for everyone.

What is Smart and Skilled?

Smart and Skilled is a fantastic opportunity for individuals to gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen careers. This initiative provides eligible students with subsidies from the NSW Government, reducing the cost of their training and making it more affordable.

By choosing Smart and Skilled courses through Academies Australasia Institute, you not only receive high-quality training but also benefit from significant cost savings thanks to the subsidies provided by the NSW Government. This means you can pursue your career goals without breaking the bank.

Don’t let financial constraints hold you back from achieving your dreams. With Smart and Skilled courses subsidised by the NSW Government, you can unlock your potential and take your career to new heights.

Vocational education and training (VET)

NSW Education

  • 15 years old or over, and
  • no longer at school or home-schooled students, and
  • living or working in NSW (or an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person living in specific NSW border areas*), and
  • an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who do not live or work in New South Wales but live in specifically defined interstate New South Wales border areas are eligible for government-subsidised training under Smart and Skilled. Contact our Student Services Team for more information or check your eligibility on the Smart and Skilled website.

All students will be required to prove eligibility.

Pre-enrolment

  • Before you start your application in a subsidised qualification, we recommend you:

✔ Review the course information on the College website to ensure the course aligns with your study/career goals and you meet the entry requirements.
✔ Discuss with our Course Coordinators your career/study goals and how the proposed course meets your needs. You may send you enquiries at info@academies.edu.au.
✔ Seek additional advice from Course Advisors where and if required.
✔ Verify your course fees and payment options.
✔ Check your eligibility for subsidised training.

  • To further assess and validate your eligibility, you will need to complete a Pre-enrolment Quiz and interview with a College Representative
  • You will be provided with the following information:

✔ Course Information
✔ Student rights and responsibilities
✔ USI Information
✔ Fees and Charges
✔ Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT) information
✔ Consumer Protection Information
✔ Deferral and Withdrawal from Training
✔ Student Support and Important Contacts

Notification of Enrolment Process

  • Complete the Enrolment Form
  • Provide a verified USI
  • Provide evidence of your Citizenship. Eg. Medicare, Passport, Visa
  • Submit proof of NSW residency, such as a driver’s license or another document issued by the Commonwealth or State Government that clearly displays your address.
  • If you qualify for a concession or exemption, you must provide your CRN.
  • Submit copies of academic transcripts you intend to use for Credit Transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applications.
  • Sign a consent form authorizing the college to enrol you in the Smart and Skilled portal.
  • Sign a declaration acknowledging that you have read and understand a list of policies, rights, and responsibilities, etc.

Every Smart and Skilled course includes:

1. Student Fee
Students are required to pay their fee (if applicable). Students enrolled under an NSW Smart and Skilled course may have to pay part of the cost of training known as the Student Fee.

2. Subsidy
The subsidy is the remaining portion of the fee provided by the NSW government.

3. Qualification Price (student fee + subsidy)
The qualification price is comprised of the student fee and subsidy. The fees are set by the government and cannot be changed. If you are entitled to a concession, your fee will be reduced, and if you are entitled to an exemption, then you will not have to pay any Student Fee.

What is a USI?
A Unique Student Identifier (USI) is a reference number made up of ten numbers and letters. It is a key component for anyone undertaking nationally recognised training in Australia, ensuring that all your training records and results are consolidated into one secure online location.

Why is a USI Essential for State Funded Courses?

  1. Mandatory Requirement: To enrol in state funded courses, you must have a USI. This is a government requirement aimed at simplifying the tracking and management of your educational records.
  2. Record Keeping: The USI allows both students and training providers to access and manage training records, transcripts, and certificates with ease. This makes it easier for students to provide proof of their qualifications when applying for jobs or further education.
  3. Data Security: With a USI, your educational history is stored securely. This protects your data from being lost or misused.
  4. Access to Transcripts: Upon completion of your training, you can access your training outcomes and qualifications online through the USI portal. This streamlined access facilitates better career planning and further education opportunities.

 

How to Obtain a USI
Getting a USI is free and easy. You can create your USI online through the official USI website by providing a valid form of identification such as a driver’s license, Medicare card, or passport.

Students under the Smart and Skilled Program will receive a Training Plan within 12 weeks of commencement. Students will receive their personalised training plan via email.

The Training Plan contains the following details:

  • Student’s name and their Commitment ID
  • College details and contact information
  • Training activities outline
  • Support services
  • Recognition of Prior Learning and/or Credit Transfer granted
  • Qualification including Units of Competency
  • Scheduled hours for each Unit of Competency
  • Start and end dates for training and assessments
  • Delivery modes and methods of training and assessment
  • Appropriate learning strategies and resources for students
  • Trainers and assessors and contact details
  • Enrolment and Learning Guide

 

Student Number
Your student number is a 9-digit number provided to you by the College. You will need this to access the learning management systems. If you have not received your Student Number, please contact our Student Services Team.

Student ID card
As part of your registration and enrolment process, we would need you to send us your photo for your student ID card. Submit a photo of yourself on a white background to studentservices@academies.edu.au, including your full name, student ID number, course name and course.

Enrolment Process – Paradigm
To enroll into your subjects in Paradigm please follow the steps below:

  1. Go to http://aca.edu.net.au
  2. Type in your Username and password to login
    Username: This is your Student ID number. This is in the second paragraph of this email (E.g. 201610117)
    Password: Date of birth/month of birth and last 3 digits of student number dd/mmxxx
  3. Check E-Learning for the enrolment manual to provide you with step-by-step instructions for the enrolment of each subject in Paradigm, accessing E-Learning and your Student email.

 

E-Learning Access
Now that you have enrolled in the subjects you will need to login to the e-Learning platform for access to subject materials, resources and assessments. Please follow the steps below:

  1. Go to https: https://elearning.academies.edu.au
  2. Type in your Username and Password to login (same details as Paradigm)
  3. Once you are logged in, click Smart and Skilled Training under the course categories and then Click your course name to display your subjects. You will find the learning resources and assessment for the subject.

 

Login to your ACA Email Account
Use your student email account to communicate with your trainers. To activate your student email account:

  1. Go to www.gmail.com to login to your ACA email.
  2. Your ACA email address is your StudentID@studentmail.academies.edu.au (eg.201964655@studentmail.academies.edu.au)
  3. Password: DD/MM/YYYY (Date of birth: Day, Month, Year of birth)

We understand that every student’s journey is unique, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our Student Services Team is ready to assist you to ensure that you have the resources and assistance you need.

Student Services Contact Details:

Email: studentservices@academies.edu.au
Telephone: +61 2 9224 5500

Learning Needs
Students must disclose all learning needs that may impact their participation and completion of the course prior to the commencement of training. Whether you require additional support due to a learning disability or other challenges, our team will work with you to provide accommodations and personalised assistance so you can succeed in your studies.

Academic Guidance
Our experienced academic advisors/course coordinators are dedicated to helping you navigate your academic path. There is an allocated weekly consultation period with the course coordinator to discuss course progress and assessment completion. Refer to E-Learning for the course coordinator’s contact details and consultation hours.