Skills training for drought affected farmers and businesses

The NSW Government is subsidising skills training for farmers and regional businesses impacted by the drought to support off farm income and diversification of business practices. 

Access to this funding aims to provide support to farmers and businesses to manage the impact of the drought.

What kind of training is available?

A wide range of training is available, including but not limited to the following areas:

  • Heavy Vehicle

  • Forklift tickets

  • Confined spaces

  • Dogging

  • Auto electrics

  • Drone operations

  • Business Management

  • Chainsaw operations

  • Excavator tickets

  • Elevated work platform

  • Small Engine Maintenance

  • Work Health & Safety

  • Book Keeping

  • Farm Management

Training is available through the Smart and Skilled Targeted Priorities Prevocational and Part Qualifications program.

For information on training that will suit your specific circumstances please call your local Training Services NSW Office on 13 28 11.

What does it cost?

Part qualification training is available under the NSW Government's Smart and Skilled program. Part qualification training is fully subsidised (i.e. fee-free).

Under this initiative, access to fully subsidised training for individuals affected by the drought who meet the eligibility criteria has been made a priority.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible an applicant must:

1. Meet Smart and Skilled eligibility criteria.

Individuals must be:

  • 15 years old or over

  • no longer at school

  • living or working in NSW, and

  • an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen.

2. Reside in a postcode within Regional NSW (defined as all of NSW excluding Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong metropolitan areas).

3. Be a business owner or farmer in a drought affected area or a contractor or worker who has been displaced as a result of the drought.

Why is this support available?

Due to the severity of the drought, the farming and agriculture sector are experiencing income losses or business closure. Access to funding aims to provide a pathway to alternative income sources or new career options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to frequently asked questions can be found here.

As part of the NSW Government's Drought Strategy, other support is available including the Farm Business Skills Professional Development Program. Information on this can be found here.

Sara Johnston