If you’re studying any nationally recognised accredited training, you’ll need to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI).

A USI is a government-issued reference number that stores all your nationally recognised training results in one secure place. From 1 January 2015 onwards, every unit and qualification you complete will be recorded in your USI account, ready for you to view anytime.

Please note; We cannot issue your certificate or Statement of Attainment without a valid USI.

Applying for a USI is quick, free, and can be done online at www.usi.gov.au by following the prompts.

A valid form of identification (e.g. driver’s licence, passport, or Medicare card)
Your personal contact details
A few minutes to complete the application.

It’s important to keep your personal info, like your name, email, phone number, and postal address current in your USI account so your records stay accurate and accessible.

If you’re updating things like your name, you’ll need a form of verifiable ID (such as your licence or passport) and can make the change easily through the USI Student Portal. If you’re only updating your preferred name, gender, or contact info, that’s even easier—no ID required! Once you make changes, you’ll get a notification confirming it’s been updated.

Your USI must match the legal name you use when enrolling with ESTR. If you change your name (e.g. through marriage or divorce) and want your qualification issued in your new name, you’ll need to update your USI account first so the records match. Then you’ll also need to provide us with official change-of-name evidence and updated identification so we can change your records on our end as well.

If you’re joining us at our Warabrook campus (near Newcastle NSW), you’ll have access to a range of facilities designed to make your learning experience easier and more accessible, so you can stay focused and succeed in your training.

Our on campus facilities include:

• Free Wi-Fi and Laptop Access
• Printing and Photocopying
• Free on site and street parking
• Accessible facilities and access ramp
• Wide doorways and corridors
• Air-conditioned classrooms
• Study spaces
• Practical Simulation Room
• Student kitchen with free tea and coffee making facilities, fridge and microwave

To get the most out of your training, it’s important to have the right language, literacy, and numeracy (LLN) skills for your chosen qualification.

The Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) outlines five key skills needed to succeed in both study and the workplace:

Learning
Reading
Writing
Oral communication
Numeracy

Every qualification has its own LLN requirements. As part of our enrolment process, we’ll check your current LLN skills against the benchmarks for your course. You’ll be given a link to complete an online LLN assessment during the pre-training review.

If we find any gaps between your current skills and what’s required, we’ll talk with you about the support we can offer to help you build those skills; or, if needed, recommend a course that’s a better fit right now. We’ll also take into account any previous study you’ve completed when assessing your LLN level.

We know that everyone learns differently, so we offer flexible options to suit your style and needs. You can study face-to-face, online via distance, or through a blended approach that combines traditional classroom with virtual classroom sessions.

No matter how you choose to study, you’ll need some basic digital skills and access to the right technology to get the most out of your course. All your learning and assessment materials are available online through your Student Portal, and you’ll also use the portal to complete and submit your assessments.

As part of the pre-training review during your enrolment application, we’ll ask a few quick questions to check your level of digital capability and make sure you have access to the technology you’ll need.

PLEASE NOTE: Your camera and microphone must be turned on at all times during virtual classroom workshops.

• A desktop computer, laptop, or tablet capable of running modern applications and accessing the internet.
• Reliable internet connection so you can access your learning resources, submit assessments and access results online, and study without interruptions. Note: Please be wary of your data usage within your limits.
• An email account to receive course communications.
• A webcam and microphone to participate in the virtual classroom (if applicable to your course delivery mode)
• Microsoft Teams to participate in the virtual classroom (if applicable). Free download here from or to a mobile device/iPad from the App Store or Google Play.
• A mobile device or camera with video recording capability in case you are required to submit video evidence as part of your assessments (Applicable for Online – Distance delivery)
• It is recommended that you have the latest version of Google Chrome and Adobe PDF Reader for optimum compatibility with accessing course materials and assessments.

• Internet Skills; such as navigating websites and using search engines (e.g. Google) to find reliable information, logging in to and using online web-based systems, and completing digital forms.
• Computer Skills; such as using a webcam and microphone, creating, saving, uploading and downloading documents.
• Email Skills; such as accessing and reading emails, sending and replying to emails, attaching files to emails, and downloading or opening email attachments

On enrolment, you will receive an invitation to create an aXcelerate account. This will give you access to your Student Learning Portal.

 This is where you will access all of your course information, learning and assessment materials, links to your online virtual classroom workshops (if applicable) and submit your assessments.

You can access the student portal via the link provided to you on enrolment. It is also accessible via the homepage of our website, or if you are using a mobile device or tablet, you can down the aXcelerate app from the Apple App or Google Play Stores.

Your course fees will vary depending on whether you’re enrolling in a subsidised course or paying Fee-for-Service (non-subsidised training). Full fee details are available in the course brochure or on each individual course page on our website.

As part of the enrolment application process, we’ll give you a quote for your total course fees. Unless you arrange a payment plan with us, your fees will be invoiced according to our standard payment schedule below.

Your fees are always protected, and we have safeguards in place to keep your payments secure. All transactions are processed in Australian Dollars (AUD) through trusted gateways like eWAY and Stripe, with your card details encrypted and never stored by us.

For extra convenience, you can also pay quickly and securely using Link, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

Please note, we can’t accept more than $1,500 in pre-paid fees from any individual student before training begins.

We know that plans can change! That’s why we’ve outlined our cancellation and refund policy to make things clear and easy to understand. Please read it carefully to see if you’re eligible for a refund.

** The fee retained by Essential Skills Training and Recruitment is required to cover the cost of time and resources which will have already been committed based on your initial intention to undertake the training. As places in our courses are limited, your enrolment secures a spot that may not be able to be filled by another participant at short notice. We’re happy to consider special circumstances, such as medical or family emergencies, on a case-by-case basis.

If our standard payment structure doesn’t suit your budget, we offer flexible payment plans to make your training more affordable.

If you’d prefer to pay your course fees in weekly or fortnightly instalments, we can arrange a payment plan through our trusted third-party provider, Xplor Debit Success Pty Ltd (ABN 32 095 551 581).

• Payments are direct debited from your nominated bank account or debit/credit card.
• Payments continue at the agreed frequency until your course fees are fully paid.
• Xplor Debit Success charge a one-off administration fee, as well as a credit/debit card surcharge. This is in addition to your course fee. All costs are clearly outlined before you enter into the agreement.

This option allows you to spread the cost of your course into smaller, more manageable instalments, so you can focus on your training.

Please note fees are subject to change, as Xplor Debit Success is a third-party provider.

You may be eligible to access government-funded training support to reduce the cost of your course. Funding availability is subject to eligibility criteria and government guidelines. We’ll assess your eligibility during the enrolment application process and provide you with a course fee quote based on your circumstances. Current opportunities available include:

We are an approved provider of the NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled program, which helps NSW residents to access funding which may cover part or all of your course fees, depending on your eligibility.

Are you:

15 years old or over?
No longer at secondary school?
living or working in NSW?
an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen?
the holder of a valid Unique Student Identifier (USI) or an applicant for one?

If you answered ‘Yes’ to all of the above questions, then you’re eligible to enrol in a NSW Smart and Skilled government-subsidised course with us, in any of our Smart and Skilled approved qualifications, subject to availability.

This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.

Government-subsidised places are limited and therefore are not guaranteed.

For more information please call our office or visit the Skills NSW website: www.smartandskilled.nsw.gov.au

Traineeships combine formal study with on-the-job training, playing a vital role in developing local businesses and building the future workforce in NSW.

If you are employed and enrolled through a traineeship arrangement, your training may be fully subsidised under the NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled program. In addition, the Australian Government provides financial incentives to eligible employers to help offset the costs of hiring and training trainees.

To be eligible for a Traineeship you must be;

an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or hold a relevant Visa
over 18 years old and no longer at secondary school
available for full-time or part-time work
not currently enrolled in another traineeship
have a drivers licence (preferred)

This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.

For more information please call our office or visit the NSW Government website https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/apprentices-and-trainees

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a way to have your existing knowledge, skills, and experience, gained through work, study, or life, assessed against the requirements of a qualification or unit. If you meet the standard, you won’t need to repeat what you already know.

Anyone with skills, knowledge, or experience gained through work, study, or life that matches the requirements of their course units.

The best time to apply is at enrolment (we’ll ask you in your online enrolment application), however you can apply at any stage during your course.

• Portfolio of evidence mapped to each unit (we provide the tools).
  Examples:
  Direct evidence – workplace documents, reports, care plans, audits.
  Indirect evidence – resume, job descriptions, qualifications, training records.
  Supplementary evidence – conversations with your assessor, extra documentation.
• Proof of name change if your documents are in a previous or different name.

• Complete an RPL Application (we will email you the application)
• Submit your portfolio of evidence
• Assessor reviews your evidence and may request more information, a competency conversation, or practical demonstrations
• You’ll receive your outcome in writing. If granted, the RPL is added to your training plan. If not, we’ll explain why and let you know how to appeal if you disagree with the decision.

Tip: RPL can take a few months or more, depending on how quickly you gather your evidence.

Already completed some units? Credit Transfer (CT) recognises equivalent units you’ve already completed in other nationally recognised qualifications, so you don’t have to repeat them.

When you enrol online, you can let us know if you’d like to apply for Credit Transfer and upload copies of your previous qualifications. While it’s best to apply at enrolment, you can do this at any time during your course.

If you’ve previously studied with us, we’ll automatically apply any credit transfers.

• Official AQF documents (official transcripts or Statements of Attainment showing the unit(s) you completed).
• Proof of name change if your documents are in a previous name.

• Provide your AQF documents
• We review your evidence to confirm that your units match or are equivalent to the ones in your current course
• We authenticate your AQF documentation, either with the issuing organisaton, or online via your USI Transcript. (You’ll need to give us permission in your USI account)
• If granted, the CT is added to your training plan. If not, we’ll explain why and let you know how to appeal if you disagree with the decision.

TIP: Credit Transfer can only be granted for units with the same code and title, OR units with different codes/titles but listed as equivalent on training.gov.au.

If you’re unhappy with any part of our training or assessment services, you have the right to make a complaint. You can complain in person, in writing to info@essentialskills.com.au or over the phone.

We’ll start looking into your complaint within 7 days of receiving it. Once we receive your complaint, our management team will review it and contact you to discuss possible solutions. If you’re still not satisfied, the matter will be escalated to our CEO, who will talk with you directly about other options for resolving the issue.

We’ll let you know the outcome in writing. If you’re not happy with the result, you can take your complaint to an external organisation such as the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). Please note that any fees charged by an external body will be your responsibility.

Possible resolutions may include:

• No further action
• A written or verbal apology
• A refund of fees paid
• Repeating the same course at no cost
• Completing the same course with another provider at no cost

If you’re unhappy with an assessment decision or the outcome of a complaint, you have the right to appeal.

Once we receive your appeal, our management team will review it and work with you to try to resolve the issue. You’ll receive a written response within 7 days of us receiving your appeal.

If you’re still not satisfied, the matter will be escalated to our CEO. In some cases, another registered provider may be asked to review the appeal and reassess if needed. You can also choose to lodge a complaint with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).

An appeal may be resolved by:

• No further action
• Reassessment by the original assessor
• Reassessment by another assessor

Your course may include a mandatory work experience placement. To ensure a smooth and compliant placement process, please read and understand the following terms and conditions:

• We will arrange your unpaid work experience placement with an approved host organisation
• You will be required to sign a Work Experience Agreement before placement begins. This outlines all responsibilities, expectations, and the conditions of your placement
• A Student Logbook may be provided, which must be completed during placement. It will include workplace activities and observation tasks that must be signed off by a qualified supervisor, team leader, or one of our trainers and assessors.
• Where possible, ESTR trainers will visit your placement site to conduct direct observations and provide support.

Before you commence placement, you must obtain all required checks and documentation, which may include:

Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC)
Working with Children Check (WWCC)
NDIS Worker Screening Check.

We will advise you of the specific requirements based on your placement site.

While COVID-19 vaccination is no longer a legal requirement for placement in aged care, disability, or home and community care, most host organisations have their own policies. Typically, organisations require:

A minimum of two (2) doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, and
A current Influenza vaccine.

Please Note: You may be asked to provide proof of your vaccination status before being accepted by a host organisation. If you choose not to be vaccinated or are unable to provide evidence, this may prevent you from completing your placement. As placement is a core requirement of your qualification, this may result in inability to complete your course.

While on placement, you must:

• Follow all infection control and safety measures, including wearing a mask, hand hygiene, and any additional requirements set by the host organisation
• Attend all scheduled shifts and complete the required hours as outlined in your course
• Be well-groomed and professionally presented, wearing: Full-length black pants, Black collared or polo shirt, Name badge, and Closed-in shoes with non-slip soles
• If you are unable to attend a scheduled shift, you must notify both your host organisation and ESTR before the shift starts and make suitable arrangements to make up the missed hours.

• The work experience placement is unpaid
• Placements will not be scheduled on weekends, public holidays, or during night/sleepover shifts
• ESTR does not guarantee employment following your placement
• If any required check returns with disclosable outcomes, your enrolment will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. You may be withdrawn from the course, and no refund will be provided.

A work experience placement may be terminated at any time by ESTR or the host organisation if:

• There is any unreasonable risk or danger to any party
• There is inappropriate conduct
• The placement becomes untenable for any reason

Our Commitment to Child Safety

We are committed to ensuring all children and young people feel safe, valued, empowered, and protected. This includes championing and supporting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of children and young people who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, or living with disability, ensuring they can participate equally and without discrimination.

As part of our commitment, we uphold the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and promote a child-safe culture at all levels of our organisation. We maintain zero tolerance for child abuse, harm, or racism and take any concerns or allegations seriously. Our approach focuses on prevention, early identification of risks, and active risk management in line with relevant Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, including child protection laws and Working with Children Check requirements.

We reserve the right to make changes to courses, timetables, trainers, or policies when necessary. We also reserve the right to cancel or postpone a program if minimum enrolment numbers are not met.

If changes do occur, we’ll notify you in advance wherever possible, and will provide support to minimise any disruption.

You’ll receive your qualification or Statement of Attainment within (30) days of successfully completed all course requirements and finalised any outstanding fees.

Before completion, please ensure your contact details, especially your postal address, are up to date, so your certificate reaches you without delay.

If you ever need a replacement copy of your certificate, we can re-issue it on request. Please note, a small replacement fee of $20 will apply.

We understand that sometimes circumstances change, and you may need to withdraw from your course.

Before you withdraw, we encourage you to speak with our team. There may be support options available to help you continue your studies.

If you decide to withdraw, please notify us in writing as soon as possible.

Depending on when you withdraw, fees and refunds will be managed in line with our Course Fee and Refund Policy.

If you’re studying under a government-funded program (such as Smart & Skilled), additional conditions may apply under that funding contract.

If you do withdraw, you’ll be issued with a Statement of Attainment for any units of competency you have successfully completed.