Apply for the VTAS travel and accommodation allowance

Introduction

Apprentices or new entrant trainees who have to travel more than 110km (return) to attend day or block release training, may be able to apply for financial assistance from the Vocational Training Assistance Scheme (VTAS).

If you're eligible, VTAS will provide:

• a per km travel rate $0.52 from your usual place of residence to the training location
• an accommodation rate $70 per night if your training extends over several consecutive days (block release).

You must submit your claims no later than 30 June following the year of travel.

Note: Claims for expenses prior to the previous year will not be considered.

Eligibility

You must meet all the following requirements:

• you're registered in NSW as an apprentice or new entrant trainee under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001
• your place of employment is in NSW
• you have to travel more than 110km (return) for your off-the-job training.

What you need

• Application form:
  • Vocational Training Assistance Scheme (VTAS) Application for Allowance – PDF
• Signed Statement (if applicable):
  • Vocational Training Assistance Scheme (VTAS) Signed Statement – PDF (if applicable)
  • Your will need this statement if:
    • You live within the Sydney Trains network and want to claim the travel allowance.
      Note: you need to explain on the VTAS Signed Statement form why you're not travelling by public transport using the Transport Concession Entitlement Card.
    • You want to claim the accommodation allowance for the night before training commences or the night of the final day of training.
• Details including:
  • the start date of your training contract
  • records of the kilometres travelled from your usual place of residence to the training location
  • receipts for your away-from-home accommodation.
• Your bank account details for payment.

How to apply

1. Check you're eligible before you apply. For full details on eligibility:
   • visit Travel, accommodation and relocation assistance packages for apprentices, or 
   • download the Vocational Training Assistance Scheme Guidelines.
2. Prepare your application form:
   • download and complete Vocational Training Assistance Scheme (VTAS) Application for Allowance – PDF
   • ask your registered training organisation (RTO) to sign and endorse your application.
3. Prepare a signed statement, if applicable:
   • download and complete Vocational Training Assistance Scheme (VTAS) Signed Statement – PDF (if applicable), and
   • ask your employer to sign the statement.
4. Take your supporting documents (signed forms, contract and travel details, bank account details) to your local Training Services office.