The Future of Work Program is a BHP funded initiative that launched in 2021 to support skills development in regional Australia.

Supporting the future of regional Australia.

The Future of Work Program is your chance to undertake an eligible course from the Regional Education and Skills Program (RESP) or an advanced apprenticeship and upskill, reskill or learn new skills.

There has been fantastic demand for RESP and applications have now closed. Visit our FAQs for more information and updates.

About the Future of Work Program

Building a successful and resilient workforce for the future will play a vital part in Australia’s economic recovery. As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic we need to resolve skill shortages in regional areas.

This is why BHP and the Australian Government Department of Education have come together to form the Future of Work Program and promote skills development in regional Australia.

This program is designed to prepare people to become the regional workforce of the future. It will create 1,000 skills development opportunities by funding students undertaking an eligible course from the Regional Education and Skills Program or an advanced apprenticeship in target regional areas.

The target regions for the program are:

  • Bowen Basin and Mackay in Queensland

  • Upper Spencer Gulf and Roxby Downs in South Australia

  • The Pilbara and Goldfields regions in Western Australia

  • The Upper Hunter Region in New South Wales

Regional Education and Skills Program

Eligible students will gain a unique opportunity to receive a financial contribution towards their tuition fees for a VET or University course of their choosing. There has been fantastic demand for RESP and applications have now closed. Visit our FAQs for more information and updates.

Advanced Apprenticeship Program

Similar to the traditional apprenticeship model, students are paid by an employer to undertake structured on-the-job training as part of their course requirements. Applications have closed for 2024.

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  • The Regional Education and Skills Program is a BHP funded initiative that has been launched as part of the Future of Work Program to support skills development in regional Australia. The program will take the place of the 2022 Short Course Program, and eligible students will receive a financial contribution towards their tuition fees for a course of their choosing.  Please note: Applications have now closed.

  • Please note: Applications have now closed.

    To be eligible for the program, candidates will be assessed against criteria to determine their eligibility.

    This includes:

    • The industry area of study. Courses from a broad range of industry areas will be considered, however, key focus areas include health, early childhood education and care, engineering, construction, agriculture, IT and Business.

    • Course type. Students must be enrolled or in the process of enrolling in a course that commences in 2023 or 2024. Eligible courses include Certificate I-IVs, Diplomas, Associate Degrees, Advanced Diplomas, Bachelor's Degrees, Undergraduate and Graduate Certificates, VET Skill Sets and Microcredentials listed on the national marketplace.

    • Place of residence. Students must live or work in one of the following regional areas to be eligible for the program: Bowen Basin and Mackay in Qld, Upper Spencer Gulf and Roxby Downs in SA, the Pilbara and Goldfields region in WA or the Upper Hunter Region in NSW.

    • Purpose and community contribution. Students must demonstrate how they will use the course to support their career progression and local community needs.

    • Applications have now closed.

  • For the purpose of the Future of Work Program, an advanced apprentice is a person who is employed with a registered employer, and is enrolled in a higher education course.

    Similar to the traditional apprenticeship model, advanced apprentices are paid by an employer to undertake structured on-the-job training as part of their course requirements. However, unlike a traditional apprenticeship, advanced apprentices will graduate with a university qualification.

  • Applications are now closed for 2024.

Frequently asked questions

The five most commonly asked questions are: