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Inclusion Funding 2025-26

The Authority is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within the ACT building and construction industry. For 2025-26, we are offering funding to support diversity and inclusion within the ACT building and construction industry as follows: 
 

Project funding

  • Woman in non-traditional vocations up to $50,000
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people up to $50,000

Individual funding

  • Rehabilitated workers returning to work up to $10,000
  • People with disabilities up to $10,000
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A group of construction workers in hard hats receiving training from a professional instructor on a construction site in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The workers are engaged and focused on learning new skills.

How it Works

Inclusion Funding covers up to 90% of training delivery costs provided by an Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Whether you're up-skilling current employees or preparing new candidates for the workforce, this funding is designed to assist you in building a diverse and skilled team.

  • Training must be delivered in real-time (online delivery is allowed with live instruction, but no self-directed training products).
  • You can apply for up to $20,000 per application, with additional funding available based on needs and TFA budget.
  • All training in relation to successful applications will need to be completed by 30 June 2026. All reporting and invoicing will need to be finalised within 60 days after the completion of training. 
In previous years, employer incentive payments have been made for apprentices employed under these categories. Inclusion funding now replaces employer incentive payments.  

Who is Eligible

We invite applications from individuals and industry stakeholders in the ACT building and construction industry. To qualify for funding, your project or program of training must meet the following criteria:

  1. Funding is for delivery of Training provided by an RTO may be accredited or non-accredited.
  2. Training must support up-skilling current employees or provide entry-level training for new workers in the ACT building and construction industry.
  3. The project or program of training prepares candidates for a specified employment outcome in the ACT building and construction industry.
  4. There is no other funding available from government sources to subsidise the training costs.

NOTE: Funding is available to provide financial support to students attending a public course, where the class may be a mix of mainstream students and students eligible for inclusion funding. 

 

Women in Trades (red hair, caucasian)-1

How to Apply

Ready to make an impact? Follow these steps to apply for Inclusion Funding:

Project Funding

  1. Prepare your project proposal:

    • Name of your organisation.
    • ABN (NOTE: Applicants must be an ABN holder) 
    • Contact person and details (phone number, email).
      • Outline over the proposed project or program of training, including: 
      • Units of competency (UoC) with national ID codes (accredited) AND / OR names of training course(s) to be delivered (non-accredited) 
      • Total hours of face-to-face delivery for each UoC and or training course(s) and budget required 
      • Target cohort and predicted numbers of participants who meet eligible categories of inclusion funding 
      • Proposed timeline and project deliverables  

  2. Submit your proposal to Jo Whitfield, CEO of the ACT Building and Construction Industry Training Fund Authority, via email: jwhitfield@trainingfund.com.au.

Additional funding may be requested via email if the full $10,000 is exhausted and funds remain within the budget Inclusion Funding.

Individual Funding

If you are applying for additional funding towards training because you are a rehabilitated or rehabilitating ACT worker returning to work in building and construction, or have a disability, please contact:

Jo Whitfield, CEO of the ACT Building and Construction Industry Training Fund Authority

email: jwhitfield@trainingfund.com.au or

phone: (02) 6262 5630.

Claims and Reporting

Once the training is successfully completed, you may claim payments by submitting:

  • Evidence of completion (e.g., official transcripts or training certificates).
  • A tax invoice outlining the training course and attendance numbers.

Invoices must be made out from the ABN who holder initially applied for the funding.

For ongoing or longer projects (three months or more), a progress report is required. This includes:

  • Overview of achievements and key milestones.
  • Budget and timeline comparisons.
  • Challenges, risks, and solutions.
  • Next steps and employment outcomes.

It is the responsibility of the organisation applying for funding to confirm that candidates who receive the funding meet the eligibility requirements. Records confirming eligibility may be requested for an audit by the TFA at any stage up to one year after the completion of any training. 

Why Apply for Inclusion Funding?

The TFA Inclusion Funding helps organisations create meaningful pathways for diverse candidates in the ACT building and construction industry. By fostering a more inclusive workforce, we can ensure the industry continues to grow with skilled, diverse talent.

Get in Touch

Have questions or need assistance with your application? Reach out to:

Jo Whitfield
CEO, ACT Building and Construction Industry Training Fund Authority

email: jwhitfield@trainingfund.com.au

phone: (02) 6262 5630

 

Together, we can build a more diverse and inclusive future for the ACT building and construction industry.

 

 

 

Apply today and make a difference.