What is a Learn Local course?

Learn Local courses are short courses that are offered at low or no cost to eligible adult Victorians.

There are a wide range of courses including digital and computer skills, reading and writing, maths, study skills, employability skills, and English language, as well as preparation for various industries such as aged care, food processing, health services, hospitality, construction and warehousing and distribution.

Learn Local courses are flexible and can be tailored specifically to suit your needs. You can learn in a classroom, online or a bit of both, at the pace that you choose. Class sizes are often small, with training delivered by highly experienced professionals in a relaxed environment.

Check out the 2022 Learn Local Course Guides for more information about the thousands of courses available each year.

Where can I do a Learn Local course?

There are around 240 not-for-profit community organisations across Victoria that offer Learn Local courses.

All of these organisations, known as Learn Local providers, are registered and funded by the Victorian Government, via the Adult, Community and Further Education Board, to deliver Learn Local courses.

Why study with a Learn Local provider?

Learn Local providers are friendly and welcoming, with highly capable and professional trainers who are focused on helping you to achieve your goals.

Learn Locals know their local communities well and they can help you:

• Undertake a pre-employment course to help you find a job
• Improve your digital literacy and computer skills
• Improve your reading, writing and maths skills
• Access English language classes
• Improve your financial literacy skills
• Go on to further study or gain a qualification at a TAFE or other training provider
• Build your confidence and learn something new

You can find a Learn Local provider close to where you live or work on the Find a Learn Local page on this website.

When and how can you enrol?

Learn Local courses are delivered throughout the year from February to December. Enrolment requirements vary and you might need to enrol in person, or you may be able to enrol over the phone, online or by mail.

Learn Local courses are government subsidised and are offered at no or low cost to eligible adult Victorians. Contact the Learn Local provider directly for more information.

Fees and costs

Learn Local courses are government subsidised and are offered at low or no cost to eligible Victorian adults. The course fees you will pay depend on the fees set by your Learn Local provider. Contact your Learn Local provider to get all the information you need about course fees and costs.

How can Learn Local providers assist businesses?

Learn Local providers are agile and can develop or co-design customised Learn Local courses for a wide range of businesses to upgrade the employment skills of your existing and/or new workforce. Customised Learn Local courses can include:

Industry specific training across a wide range of sectors (including health, disability, retail, tourism, hospitality, construction, trades, business, call centres, horticulture plus many more)

• Digital literacy training
• Language, literacy and numeracy assistance
• English language classes
• Financial literacy assistance
• Employability skills
• Occupational Health and Safety.

Find out more about how you can partner with the Learn Local sector on the Partners page on this website.

Learn Local Awards

The Victorian Learn Local Awards are held annually by the Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) Board to recognise the inspirational efforts of learners, trainers and training providers in the Learn Local sector. Find out more about the Awards on the Victorian Government website: Learn Local Awards.

Other services

Some Learn Local providers also deliver personal development programs, as well as other services such as accredited training, VCE and VCAL, career advice, childcare and disability support services, and some are registered schools.

These aspects of the business of Learn Local providers are not funded through the Adult, Community and Further Education Board but complement their delivery of Learn Local courses and other programs.

To find out more about these services, contact a Learn Local provider in your community.

Accredited training

Accredited training is delivered by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) right across Australia, including TAFEs, private RTOs and community RTOs (these community RTOs are sometimes also Learn Local providers). Accredited training provides learners with the skills and knowledge that lead to a nationally recognised qualification. Accredited qualifications, such as the Certificate III in Community Services Work or the Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management, deliver learners the skills and knowledge required to work in a broad range of occupations and industries.

The Victorian Skills Gateway is a one-stop-shop of Victorian vocational education and training to help you find a nationally recognised course (accredited training) suitable for you, see: Victorian Skills Gateway.