Example of payment calculation
A client meets all the Training Incentive Allowance qualifications and has total course costs of $5,620.00.
The course costs are made up of course fees of $2500 and books and stationery costs of $650, transport costs of $15 per week, and childcare costs of $50 per week.
The course of study is 38 weeks long. This includes 3 short breaks over the academic year totalling 6 weeks.
Remember breaks are included when calculating entitlement.
Calculation
One-off course costs | Total cost | Ongoing costs | Total cost |
Course fees | $2,500 | Travel (38 weeks x $15.00) | $570 |
Books and stationery | $650 | plus childcare (38 weeks x $50.00) | $1,900 |
Total one-off costs | $3,150 | Total ongoing costs | $2,470 |
Total combined course costs | $5,620 | ||
Maximum Training Incentive Allowance for this example (weekly rate $143.08 as at 1 April 2026 multiplied by 38 weeks = $5,437.04) | |||
The total costs associated with the course are $5,620.
While the maximum Training Incentive Allowance available is $5,437.04 (38 weeks x $143.08 as at 1 April 2026), the client's costs of $5,620 exceed this maximum payable.
Costs can be paid in different ways
All the one-off course costs paid
If all the one-off course costs are paid by Training Incentive Allowance ($3,150) the balance remaining $2,287.04 ($5,437.04 - $3,150) can be paid weekly over the course duration (38 weeks) for the client's ongoing costs.
The client would get $60.18 a week ($2,287.04 divided by 38 weeks) towards their ongoing costs.
All of the ongoing costs paid
Instead of paying all the course costs, the client can get their Training Incentive Allowance on a weekly basis to cover their ongoing costs of $2,470.
The calculation of childcare and transport should be calculated based on the number of weeks these costs are incurred including holidays.
This means the client gets $65 a week ($2,470 divided by 38 weeks = $65).
The remainder of $2,967.04 (maximum Training Incentive Allowance for the client less ongoing costs) is paid to the course provider towards the client's fees and costs.
The client may test their eligibility to Student Loan to cover the remainder of their course fees.
