Career Start

Career Start is a Queensland Government initiative designed to help individuals gain the skills and support they need to begin their career journey. Whether you're entering the workforce for the first time, looking to upskill for new opportunities, or transitioning from an apprenticeship or traineeship, Career Start provides Queenslanders access to a select range of nationally recognised certificate III qualifications.

Eligibility Requirements

Career Start offers either a general training pathway or an employment-based apprenticeship or traineeship pathway. To be eligible to receive Career Start funding, individuals will be required to meet certain eligibility requirements. 

Under Career Start, you may access up to 2 funded training places through one of the following options:

  • a qualification in a certificate III under the general training pathway and an apprenticeship or traineeship. If the apprenticeship or traineeship is completed first, you are not eligible to access a general training pathway qualification under Career Start, or
  • two apprenticeships and traineeships in either a certificate II or III (school-based apprenticeships and traineeships are included in this total).

Under Career Start, individuals may access one subsidised introductory level skill set in addition to the above. 

To access a subsidised training place under Career Start, you must meet the following criteria: 

  • aged 15 years or older;
  • not be a school student;
  • permanently reside in Queensland;
  • be an Australian citizen, or Australian permanent resident (includes humanitarian entrant), or a temporary resident with the right visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency, or a New Zealand citizen;
  • not already have a certificate III or higher qualification completed within the last 10 years (qualifications completed as a school student and foundation skills qualifications do not count);
  • not be enrolled in another qualification, even if it is on hold or deferred, whether funded by DTET or not (foundation skills qualifications do not count). 

Course Specific Eligibility 

In addition to the eligibility criteria outlined above, some subsidised qualifications and skill sets may have specific entry restrictions or exemptions. These are determined by industry or sector requirements, as well as national training package guidelines. Please visit your chosen certificate or skill sets course page for further information. 

To be eligible to receive government subsidised training, the apprentice or trainee must meet the following criteria;

  • are currently employed as a Queensland apprentice or trainee (under a registered training contract) in an eligible apprenticeship or traineeship Qualification through this Program;
  • not currently be enrolled in a Qualification;
  • not have previously completed a certificate III or higher-level qualification within the last 10 years for a general training pathway; and
  • not exceed a maximum of two government-funded apprenticeships/traineeships within a 10-year period

Career Start Courses

The following courses are available under the Career Start General Pathway. 

Please carefully consider your training options before committing to a training course, as this may exhaust your entitlement to further Queensland Government subsidised training. CQUniversity is an approved Skills Assure supplier with the Government Department of Trade, Employment and Training. 

Accounting and Business

Animal Care

Automotive

Community Services

Education

Foundational Skills

Hairdressing 

Health

Horticulture 

Hospitality and Tourism 

Information Technology 

Pathway 

Science 

Visual Arts 

*Lower-level vocational qualifications may also be subsidised in certain limited circumstances.

Please carefully consider your training options before committing to a training course, as this may exhaust your entitlement to further Queensland Government subsidised training. CQUniversity is an approved Skills Assure supplier with the Government Department of Trade, Employment and Training.

Animal Care 

Automotive Engineering and Technology

Business 

Construction

Dental 

Education

Electrotechnology 

Engineering

Fitness 

Hairdressing 

Health Care 

Horticulture and Conservation 

Hospitality and Cookery

Information Technology

Science 

Tourism 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, students undertaking their training as part of the Career Start subsidy must contribute to their training costs through a co-contribution fee.

Yes, the co-contribution fee, being the remaining course cost after the Queensland Government subsidy, can be paid by employers for their staff. Eligibility requirements apply. If the employer opts to pay CQUniversity directly, rather than reimburse the employee/student, invoices will be payable as the student enrols in units. The employer will need to complete an Authority to Invoice form, you can request this form from our Student Advising Team by emailing advice@cqu.edu.au.

For a detailed list of eligible documents that can be supplied to support your assessment for a subsidy, please visit Apply for TAFE Certificates and Diplomas.

You don’t need to submit a separate application for a subsidy when applying to study a TAFE course with CQUniversity.

As part of the application process, our Vocational Admissions team will automatically assess your eligibility for the best available subsidy for your chosen course.

To ensure your application is assessed accurately and you’re considered for all possible subsidies, submit all required supporting documentation at the time of your application. Visit Apply for TAFE Certificates and Diplomas for further information on what documentation to supply as evidence.

Qualifications and skill sets offered through the general training pathway are available for direct enrolment with CQUniversity and do not require a training contract with an employer, such as an apprenticeship or traineeship. 

To participate in an apprenticeship or traineeship pathway, individuals must be employed as an apprentice or trainee. For more information about getting started, visit Apprenticeships and Traineeships.

Career Start and Career Boost is applicable to unit enrolments. Any gap in your studies may result in you losing access to this funding. This funding is limited and subject to change. Please carefully consider your training options before committing to a training course, as this may exhaust your entitlement to further Queensland Government subsidised training.

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Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Our apprenticeships and traineeships are developed in consultation with industry and involve practical learning experiences.