·        People living or working in SA who are over the age of 16 may be eligible for fee-free training or subsidised training, where the state government pays all or part of their fees to the training provider.[1]

·         Fee Free TAFE is available for the Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal) at TAFE SA.[2]

·        Subsidised training is currently available to those eligible for several maritime qualifications, (however availability depends on current provider intakes and may vary across the year). Subsidised qualifications include: [3]

o        Certificate III in Maritime Operations

o        Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 Near Coastal)

o        Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 3 Near Coastal)

o        Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal).

 

·       People with a health care card or Veteran’s Affairs card may be eligible for concessions on subsidised training. Persons over 16 years of age who have been under a guardianship order in Australia may also apply for an exemption as a person under the Guardianship of the Minister and if eligible pay no fees for subsidised courses.[4]

·         Fee Free TAFE for Certificate IV TAE (training and assessment) may be available for eligible potential maritime trainers.[5] There is also subsidised training available for the Certificate IV TAE with several training providers.[6]

Scholarships

TAFE SA provides a number of scholarships and grants to eligible students.[7] These are not specific to maritime studies.

·         The Wyndham Richardson Scholarship Fund provides scholarships of $1,000 and $5,000 for full-time students experiencing financial hardship who are studying Certificate IV or above qualifications.[8]

Other South Australian scholarships include:

·         The Veterans SA Tertiary Scholarship Program provides grants of up to $5,000 to eligible veterans or the partners of members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) (past and present) who are undertaking higher education. The 2026 application round closed in February 2026 and information on funding for 2027 not yet available.[9] 

·         Stand Like Stone offer several scholarships for people who have a connection with the Limestone Coast.[10]

·         Phoebe Wanganeen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship supports eligible First Nations residents of the City of Salisbury SA who are enrolled in a post-secondary course (university, TAFE or RTO) with essential study costs such as textbooks, technology, equipment and travel .[11]

·         The MEGT Foundation Scholarship Program is an annual scholarship offered in Victoria and South Australia. It supports eligible women experiencing personal disadvantage to return to study.[12] The scholarship funding may cover a variety of expenses, including course fees, childcare, living costs, a laptop, WIFI and/or travel. The program also includes individual coaching and Community of Practice events.

Potential funding opportunities for trainees and employees across Australia 

 

Maritime scholarships and traineeships

·         Maritime Employees Training Limited (METL) offers 24-month Integrated Ratings traineeships for training and sea time. Trainees are selected on merit and can complete their formal training at either South Metropolitan TAFE in Fremantle or the Australian Maritime College in Launceston. Upon completion of all requirements they obtain the MAR30220 Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Integrated Rating) and the (AMSA) issued occupational licence: Integrated Rating Certificate of Proficiency. METL pays the college fees, arranges and pays for accommodation, meals and travel as required, and pays the trainee wages.[13]

·         The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has partnered with the University of Tasmania (UTAS) to offer several maritime scholarships, including[14]:

o   AMSA Vocational Near Coastal Seafaring Scholarship[15] Applications Open May 30 2026 and close June 30 2026.

o   AMSA Sara Bool Women in Maritime Engineering Scholarship[16] Applications closed and likely to open later in the year for 2027 scholarship.

o   AMSA First Year Access Scholarship for Maritime Studies.[17] Applications closed and likely to open later in the year for 2027 scholarship.

·         The Australian Mariners Welfare Society offers maritime scholarships to the children of seafarers or ex-seafarers to study maritime courses at an RTO.[18]  The scholarship awards $3,500 per semester for course fees, living and travel expenses to students who have low or moderate means.

Scholarships for specific groups

·         The Sisters of Charity Foundation Tertiary Scholarship Program offers two scholarships for young people (27 years or under) who have been in out of home care, such as foster care (either currently or in the past).[19] The university scholarship is valued at up to $30,000 and the TAFE scholarship is valued at $5000. The scholarship is not specific to maritime studies.

·         The Pinnacle Foundation offers annual scholarships and mentoring to people between 18-26 years of age who identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and are undertaking education in a public tertiary institution (university or TAFE). Applications are now closed for 2026 scholarships. Applications for scholarships for study in 2027 will open on July 1 2026.[20] The scholarship is not specific to maritime studies.

·         Australian Veterans' Children Assistance Trust (AVCAT) offers annual education scholarships for children and grandchildren of Vietnam Veterans. Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enrol in a tertiary course at an Australian university, TAFE or a registered training organisation. Eligibility criteria include being able to demonstrate financial hardship. Applications open on 18 August 2026 and close on the 30 October 2026. [21] The scholarship is not specific to maritime studies.