What is Regional Education and Skills Program?

BHP and the Australian Government Department of Education have created the Future of Work Program to deliver skills development opportunities in regional Australia.

If you live in one of the following regions and successfully enroll in an eligible EIT course you may be eligible to apply for funding toward your tuition fees:

  • Bowen Basin and Mackay in Queensland
  • Upper Spencer Gulf and Roxby Downs in South Australia
  • The Pilbara and Goldfields regions in Western Australia
  • The Upper Hunter Region in New South Wales (please refer to the postcode search feature at https://www.regionalfutureofwork.com/ to confirm that you live in an eligible location.)

Eligible students accepted into the program, will receive up to $15,000 towards their tuition fees. Additionally, students approved to receive funding may also be eligible for a resource grant of up to $1,000 to support the purchase of study tools. The specific amount will be determined by the Future of Work program organizers.

Please note:
From the 28th of May 2024, the funding support thresholds for Bachelor Degrees have changed to $15,000 (from $24,000) for High Priority Bachelor Degrees, and $10,000 (from $15,000) for Priority Bachelor Degrees.

Eligibility

Candidates will be assessed against the following criteria to determine if they are eligible for the Regional Education and Skills Program:

  • Must be an Australian citizen
  • Must start their course in 2025
  • Students must live in one of the following regional areas to be eligible for the program: Bowen Basin and Mackay in Qld, Upper Spencer Gulf and Roxby Downs in SA, the Pilbara and Goldfields region in WA or the Upper Hunter Region in NSW. Please refer to the postcode search feature at https://www.regionalfutureofwork.com/ to confirm that you live in an eligible location.
  • Students must demonstrate how they will use the course to support their career progression and local community needs.

Please check the detailed eligibility requirements on The Future Of Work website.

Please note that EIT is not involved in the applicants’ selection process or administering funding, it is managed solely by the Future of Work program organizers.

How do I apply?

Choose and apply for an eligible EIT course;

Receive an offer and confirm your enrolment at EIT;

Apply for the Future of Work program: use the application form on the Future of Work website.

If you have any queries about the Regional Education and Skills Program, please contact the team at applications@regionalfutureofwork.com or head to the Future of Work Program website.

EIT courses eligible for funding through the program

All EIT’s courses are eligible for Regional Education and Skills Program funding.

Student contribution and other details

If you receive funding from the Regional Education and Skills Program it may not cover all of your tuition fees. Students will be responsible for paying the balance of their tuition fees after the funding has been applied. Depending on the timing of when you apply for funding, you may be required to pay upfront for your tuition fees and then be reimbursed.

Students must meet the eligibility criteria to enroll in EIT courses, please refer to the course page for more information.

About the Future of Work Program

BHP and the Australian Government Department of Education have created the Future of Work Program to deliver skills development opportunities in regional Australia. BHP is investing up to $30 million in target regions in Queensland, Western Australia, New South Wales, and South Australia.

Through the Regional Education and Skills Program and the Advanced Apprenticeship Program, the Future of Work Partnership is designed to help regional Australians and businesses prepare for the future and support local efforts to overcome challenges brought by COVID-19.

A strong focus on the development and adaptation of education is required to build a successful and resilient workforce for the future. These efforts must be focused on enhancing people’s learning experiences, creating opportunities for unemployed people, and upskilling existing employees to be better prepared for the challenges of the future.

Engineering Institute of Technology