VIC Skills Solutions Partnerships – Round 4

Grants of up to $500,000 available at Stage 2, subject to successful completion of co-design
Funding must be matched 1:1 by project partners
EoIs close: 27 November 2026

The Skills Solutions Partnerships Program supports Victorian industry to partner with TAFEs and dual sector universities to design and pilot new short courses and on-the-job training that address skills gaps in priority sectors. Round 4 invites Expressions of Interest from partnerships interested in co-designing a new training solution, with successful applicants participating in a facilitated co-design process before applying for pilot funding. The program aims to rapidly develop industry-endorsed training products that can be integrated into the training system, benefit multiple businesses and scale to support a significant number of workers.

Key Requirements

Partnership requirements

Applications must be submitted by a partnership that includes a Victorian TAFE or dual sector university. Partnerships may be new or existing, with formal or informal arrangements, and should include multiple businesses. Where an application includes an industry association, multiple businesses from the relevant sector are required to participate in the co-design process.

Priority sectors

Proposals must address skills gaps in one of the following priority sectors:

Advanced manufacturing and defence
Agribusiness
Circular economy
Health technologies and medical research
Digital technologies

Project focus

Applications must demonstrate industry demand and may address any skill gap area. Solutions addressing skills gaps in artificial intelligence, leadership and technology adoption will be highly regarded.

Co-design commitment

Successful applicants must commit to actively participating in the co-design process, including attending all workshops. At least one representative from each project partner is expected to attend each session, with up to three to four sessions anticipated.

Compliance requirements

Lead applicants must have met all industrial relations obligations under the National Employment Standards and hold a Victorian Government Fair Jobs Code pre-assessment certificate, unless the lead applicant is a TAFE.

What is eligible for funding?

Eligible reskilling or upskilling training options include:

Training at Vocational Education and Training (VET) or Higher Education level
Accredited or non-accredited training
Establishing new courses or modifying existing courses, including updated content, new approaches incorporating on-the-job learning, or accelerated delivery
Micro-credentials, skill sets or other course types

What companies are eligible for funding?

Lead applicants must be a legal entity with an operating presence in Victoria, hold a current ABN held since 1 January 2023, be registered for GST since 1 January 2023, and be one of the following:

A business industry group or professional association with a direct role supporting businesses in an eligible sector in Victoria
A business leading on behalf of a group of businesses located in Victoria
A TAFE or dual sector university headquartered in Victoria

Project partners must be a legal entity with an operating business presence in Victoria, hold a current ABN held since 1 January 2025, be registered for GST since 1 January 2025, and have met all industrial relations obligations under the National Employment Standards.

Ineligible applicants include Commonwealth departments and agencies, Registered Training Organisations, non-Victorian accredited dual sector universities and TAFEs, State departments and agencies, unincorporated associations, and individuals or sole traders.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Targeted Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging a professional government grant writer consultant. Avant Group is Australia’s largest independent grants advisory firm. Find out more about our government grant writing and consulting service here.

How can I get help understanding if I’m eligible for this grant? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.

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