How to Apply for User Choice Funding
To participate in User Choice Funding, apply to become an apprentice or trainee by choosing an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider in conjunction with your employer, the AASN will:
- Sign you up as an apprentice or trainee
- Arrange for registration of your training contract
- Help you claim support payments if you are eligible
- Be your first point of call after registration
- Contact you regularly during your training.
AASN providers offer a free service.
Search the Australian Apprenticeships website or call 1800 020 108 to find an AASN provider in your area.
Once you have signed up as an apprenticeship or trainee with an AASN provider, Irrigation Australia will be notified and will contact you regarding completing the enrolment into the course.
Fees associated with User Choice Funding
Currently there are two key components to the funded traineeships, a traineeship (State Funded) amount and an employee contribution. There may also be location allowances payable to the training provider to support face to face delivery in regional and remote areas.
For approved Queensland students there is a gap fee payable in advance by employers. This fee incorporates the “employee contribution” mentioned above – it is the total gap payable:
- For Irrigation Australia Company members - $2,310
- For Irrigation Australia Individual members - $3,145
- For non-members - $4,063.50
The gap is payable in advance of commencement; Irrigation Australia then claims the balance of training costs directly from the Queensland Government upon successful completion of each part of the course.