TAFE NSW, in collaboration with Smart and Skilled, is now offering fee-free scholarships for people who are experiencing, or have experienced, domestic violence.

The fee-free scholarships are being funded by the NSW Government through the Smart and Skilled initiative. Eligible students are exempt from paying their course fees and all qualifications included on the NSW Skills List from Certificate I to IV are covered, including qualifications undertaken as part of an apprenticeship or traineeship.

The student receives no payment and does not need to lodge a formal application. The fee the student would have paid is paid to the provider as part of the subsidy.

For a student to be eligible they must be at least 15 years of age and be experiencing or have experienced domestic and family violence, or be the dependant of a person who is experiencing or has experienced domestic and family violence. Their training must commence on or after 1 July 2016.

To prove their eligibility students will be required to provide a letter of recommendation from a domestic and family violence service, refuge or other support agency.

Anyone experiencing domestic and family violence is urged to contact the Domestic Violence Line on 1800 656 463 or Men's Referral Service on 1300766 491. The Domestic Violence Line is available 24 hours, seven days a week and provides telephone counselling, information and referrals to other services.