Parents Returning to Work
called Parents Returning to Earning (PRTE)

A Victorian State Government Initiative
Victoriaworks

Parents returning to work in Victoria are eligible for a grant to undertake our courses, under the Parents Returning to Earning (PRTE) program. The Parents Returning to Earning (PRTE) program is an initiative of the Victorian State Government, administered by Adult Multicultural Education Services (AMES).

The program provides a grant of up to $1,000 to assist parents planning to return to work after an absence caring for dependent children.

The $1,000 grant will apply to you regardless of whether your spouse is working or not. You do not need to be a single parent to apply for this grant. You can be a male or female parent wanting to return to work.

Are you eligible for a $1,000 grant?

If you are an eligible parent returning to work you can claim the grant (up to $1,000) to cover the costs of a training course through Australian College QED (ACQ). What's more, Australian College will subsidise up to a further $200 off the course fees if your chosen course is over $1,000.

Example:

If your course is $1,200 the grant will cover $1,000 and Australian College will subsidise the remaining $200. This means your entire course is FREE to you. No deposit required!

Eligibility for the $1,000 grant is established by evidence that the parent meets all the following criteria.

Parents returning to work:

• are Australian residents living in Victoria
• are currently unemployed and wish to return to work, preferably in the next 12 months
• have been absent from education, accredited training and the workforce for over two years while caring for children
• have not worked for more than 4 months full time, or equivalent part-time, in the last 2 years
• will enrol in training to improve their workforce skills and/or earning potential
• have not received a grant under the program Parents Returning to Earning (PRTE)
• were unable to activate their Parents Returning to Earning (PRTE) grant due to unforseen circumstances.
  

The program has a strong employment focus. Training approved through the program will therefore be in courses that increase work-related skills or improve job prospects.

Download Parents Returning to Earning brochure