Upskilling for electricians

This training is fully subsided for eligible electricians and fourth-year electrical apprentices. Funded places are limited – please enrol early to avoid disappointment.

It will give you the skills and knowledge to become a qualified solar photovoltaic (PV) designer and installer or a battery storage system (BSS) designer and installer – and can lead to becoming accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia.

The funded courses of study are:

Check if you are eligible

You are eligible to complete this training if you meet these student eligibility and course pre-requisite requirements:

• You are an Australian Citizen or permanent resident.
• You are a Victorian resident (if the student is not a Victorian resident, Solar Victoria may consider them eligible is there is a demonstrable link to Victoria and written approval is provided prior to enrolment).
• You are a certified A Grade electrician or a fourth-year electrical apprentice.
• For installation courses, you have a minimum of 1 year of experience in the installation of PV or battery system (including any experience gained during apprenticeships).
• You are employed by a business that is an authorised installer or retailer registered with Solar Victoria.
• You have not previously completed an equivalent course.

We are especially keen for more women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to undertake this training. Women are significantly under-represented in the solar industry, read more here: Supporting women in solar.

Students will be encouraged to register as a Solar Accreditation Australia accredited installer or designer on completion of their course/s, if eligible.

When and where training is delivered

Enrolment for this training is open until early 2025. Please book early as funded places are limited.

Training is delivered in a blended format, involving e-learning and face-to-face, depending on the training provider.

Each provider offers a different combination of units funded by Solar Victoria:

How to enrol

To enrol, please contact your preferred registered training organisation from the list above.

Please discuss all enrolment requirements with your preferred registered training organisation. Participants may need to have completed pre-requisite units before enrolling in some of the units listed above.

Note: The course fee is fully subsidised. Some providers may charge a booking fee that will be fully refunded upon successful completion.

Apply for installer or designer accreditation

After successfully completing your chosen course, please apply for installer and/or designer accreditation through Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA):

Apply for accreditation

To be eligible to participate in the Solar Homes Program, solar installers and designers must first hold solar accreditation under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) operated by SAA. SAA also provides a battery installer accreditation scheme.

These accreditations are requirements under the Solar Homes Program. For more information, read Become an authorised solar retailer or installer.

Our commitment

Solar Victoria is investing $11 million to deliver a comprehensive training and workforce development program. Our aim is for solar industry workers to have the skills and capabilities to deliver our programs and to support growth in the solar energy industry.

Boosting training and workforce development will ensure Victoria has an ongoing supply of skilled workers to support growth in the renewable and clean energy sector.