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Skills to help ease the cost of living burden

National Courses

Key Facts:

• Short courses are emerging as a low-cost, high-impact upskilling option for workers seeking to increase income and job security without long-term study commitments
• Benefits include faster time to employment, lower education costs, and access to skills-shortage industries like construction, mining, and hospitality
• Holding current certifications helps workers maintain job security through compliance and reduces risks of lost work opportunities
• Multiple short qualifications enable workers to create additional income streams through casual, contract, or secondary roles

Skills to help ease the cost of living burden

Petrol prices, mortgage repayments, and even the price of milk at the supermarket checkout… It’s no secret the cost of living has skyrocketed in recent months. 

And with financial pressures continuing to weigh heavily on Australian households, more workers are seeking practical, affordable ways to increase their income and improve job security.

In addition to recent petrol price hikes and interest rate increases, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveals inflation is higher than expected, rental costs are continuing to rise, and household spending on essentials continues to outpace wage growth.

For the average Australian, that means household budgets are stretched to the limit and plugging the financial leaks involves more than just rethinking their daily takeaway coffee.

Instead, National Courses director Samuel Bohr says there’s been an uptick in demand for short, nationally recognised training as workers look to increase their income, and lock in job stability.

“People are looking for education that leads directly to work,” Mr Bohr said. 

“Short courses are increasingly seen as a practical response to financial pressure, not a long-term gamble.”

The cost-of-living context

The latest ABS data shows inflation at 3.8 per cent, with living costs, including housing, energy and food, rising faster than discretionary spending.

Petrol prices have surged by around 50c a litre due to the Iran war, and rental prices across Australia have also increased significantly year-on-year, placing additional pressure on disposable income.

Many Australians are looking to increase their income, but are delaying long-term study due to concerns about student debt and time out of the workforce.

Against this backdrop, Mr Bohr said short courses are emerging as a low-cost, high-impact upskilling option.

Five ways short courses help Australians get ahead

1. Faster time to employment

Mr Bohr said one major benefit of short courses is that they can be completed in days or weeks, not years.

For jobseekers, this shortens the gap between training and paid work, which is a critical factor when household budgets are under pressure.

2. Lower education costs, faster ROI

Compared to multi-year qualifications, short courses typically cost a fraction of the price and do not require long-term HECS-HELP debt. For many learners, this means a positive return on investment within months, not years.

3. Access to skills-shortage industries

According to national workforce data, industries such as construction, mining, hospitality and health services continue to face skills shortages.

Many of these roles require mandatory certifications, including White Cards, First Aid and safety training, which can be obtained quickly through short courses.

4. Improved job security through compliance

Holding current, nationally recognised certifications helps workers meet regulatory and workplace requirements. 

And, in an uncertain economy, being compliant and job-ready reduces the risk of missed shifts, lost contracts or exclusion from worksites.

5. Flexible income opportunities through skill stacking

Data shows more Australians are supplementing income through casual, contract or secondary roles. By stacking multiple short qualifications, workers can access additional shifts, higher-paying roles or cross-industry opportunities, creating a financial buffer against rising expenses.

“Cost-of-living pressures are changing how Australians think about education,” Mr Bohr said.

“People are looking for training that leads directly to work and income, without taking on years of study or large debts. Short courses provide a faster, more affordable pathway to employment and financial resilience.”

Meeting the moment

National Courses reports increased enrolments from:

• Workers changing industries due to job instability

• Parents returning to the workforce

• Mature-age learners seeking additional income streams

• Casual and contract workers upgrading compliance credentials

With same-day or fast certification options and nationally recognised training, Mr Bohr short courses are increasingly viewed as a practical response to economic pressure, rather than an optional add-on. 

ENDS

 

 

About us:

About National Courses
National Courses is a leading Australian Registered Training Organisation, delivering accredited short courses across construction, safety, hospitality, resources and community services. Focused on practical outcomes and workforce readiness, National Courses helps Australians gain recognised skills quickly and affordably.

Contact details:

Media inquiries:
1300 677 191
[email protected]
www.nationalcourses.edu.au