Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: Up to $5,600,000
- Application opened: 6 October 2026
- Application closes: 27 October 2026
Program objective
The National Skills Agreement (NSA) Ensuring Access to Foundation Skills Implementation Plan between the Australian and NSW Governments supports increased access to foundation skills training, particularly for underserved communities across NSW.
The Foundation Skills Program – Phase 3 (FS Program) is the final phase of the Program under the NSA and will operate from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2028.
The program aims to:
- increase access to foundation skills training across NSW;
- address unmet demand and barriers to foundation skills delivery and participation; and
- improve access and outcomes for priority learners and communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners and learners in underserviced locations.
The FS Program supports accredited and non-accredited foundation skills training in areas including English language, literacy, numeracy, digital and employability skills.
This program is administered by Department of Education.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To be eligible to apply for funding under the FS Program, applicants must:
- be registered on training.gov.au as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) with the organisation type ‘Community Based Adult Education Provider’;
- hold a current Smart and Skilled and/or Adult and Community Education (ACE) Program contract with the NSW Department of Education and have at least one approved foundation skills qualification or accredited foundation skills course on scope of registration and included in the contract for delivery;
- be compliant with all applicable contractual obligations under any current Smart and Skilled, ACE Program contract/s.
- have at least one foundation skills qualification or accredited foundation skills course on their scope of registration (see Attachments 9.1 and 9.2 for list of approved qualifications and accredited courses).
Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations that meet the above eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Eligible projects include delivery of accredited or non-accredited Foundation Skills training units that respond to adult learner needs. Projects must target priority cohorts and locations, align with program objectives, and may incorporate innovative approaches to improve access, learner engagement, and educational outcomes. Funding can be applied towards training delivery costs as well as additional Access Funding for identified barriers.
When the project can start and end
The project should be started by 1 January 2027 and the project must be completed by 31 December 2028.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Applicants must submit a completed application form that addresses all eligibility criteria and demonstrate clear alignment with program objectives.
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Address the assessment criteria
Refer to the NSA FOUNDATION SKILLS PHASE 3 PROGRAM GUIDELINES and NSA OUTREACH SUPPORT PHASE 3 ROUND 2 PROGRAM GUIDELINES for the relevant assessment criteria.
Start the application
Applications must be submitted via Smarty Grants by the specified deadline. Following submission, applicants may be contacted for clarification or additional information. Successful applicants will receive written notification and instructions for entering a funding deed, which must be completed within 20 days of their application outcome notification to activate funding.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Executive Director, Skills and Workforce Programs
Following the closing date, applications will be reviewed by the Department to determine eligibility, assess applications against the relevant assessment criteria and determine recommended funding allocations.
The assessment process will include:
- Eligibility review: Applications will be reviewed against the applicant eligibility requirements. Applications that do not meet the eligibility requirements will not progress to further assessment.
- Assessment criteria evaluation: Eligible applications will be assessed against the criteria applicable to the funding stream sought. New applicants will be assessed against the Foundation Skills Training Fund criteria. Applicants seeking Foundation Skills Access funding will also be assessed against the Access Fund criteria.
- Funding allocation: Proposed funding allocations will be considered having regard to the assessment outcome, demonstrated need, proposed scale of delivery, value for money and available program funding. The Department may recommend an allocation that differs from the amount requested.
- Outcome: Successful applicants will be notified of the outcome and offered a funding deed.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is 16/11/2026
Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is 20/11/2026
Support and contact
Policy, Planning and Performance - ppp@det.nsw.edu.au