Certificate 3 Guarantee
The Certificate 3 Guarantee assists working-age Queenslanders gain a nationally recognised certificate III qualification, which is often the first step to getting a job in many industries. Funded by the Queensland Government, Certificate 3 Guarantee reduces the cost to study for eligible students by subsidising the tuition fee.
The level of the government subsidy depends on the demand for workers in your chosen field. This funding is 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. CQUniversity is an approved Skills Assure supplier with the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training. To learn about Queensland Government funded programs, visit the DESBT website.
To be eligible to access the Certificate 3 Guarantee, you must:
- be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or an Australian permanent resident (including humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with an eligible visa subclass
- be 15 years old or over
- live in Queensland and have left school*
- not already have, or be enrolled in a certificate III level or higher qualification, not including qualifications completed at secondary school and foundations skills training.
- Some courses may require the student to be an existing worker in the related industry.
*Some Start TAFE Now students will be able to access training through the Queensland Government’s VET in Schools.
For more information about eligibility, check the Certificate 3 Guarantee Student Fact Sheet or contact 13 27 86.
To be eligible for a Queensland Government concession fee, you must be eligible to access Certificate 3 Guarantee, as well as meet one of the following eligibility requirements:
- have, or be listed on an Australian Government Low Income Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card
- hold a Department of Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
- if you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- if you have a disability.
Certificate 3 Guarantee courses
Please carefully consider your training option before committing to a training course as this may exhaust your entitlement to further Queensland Government subsidised training.
Accounting and Business
Animal Care
Automotive
Community Services
Education
- CHC30121 - Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- CHC30221 - Certificate III in School Based Education Support
Hairdressing
Health
- HLT23221 - Certificate II in Health Support Services
- HLT33115 - Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
- HLT35021 - Certificate III in Dental Assisting
- SIS20122 - Certificate II in Sport and Recreation*
- SIS30321 - Certificate III in Fitness
Horticulture
- AHC20416 - Certificate II in Horticulture*
- AHC30716 - Certificate III in Horticulture
- AHC31421 - Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management
Hospitality and Tourism
- SIT20122 - Certificate II in Tourism*
- SIT20322 - Certificate II in Hospitality*
- SIT20422 - Certificate II in Cookery*
- SIT30122 - Certificate III in Tourism
- SIT30622 - Certificate III in Hospitality
Information Technology
Pathway
Science
Visual Arts
Some courses may require the student to be an existing working in the related industry. These restrictions and/or exemptions are detailed in the Priority Skills list.
*Lower-level vocational qualifications may also be subsidised in certain limited circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Certificate 3 Guarantee subsidises course costs for certificate III courses and supporting programs. Subsidy amounts depend upon the chosen course and other factors including possession of a health care or pensioner concession card.
To help students who may need to develop skills before undertaking a certificate III course, the Certificate 3 Guarantee also covers study in language, literacy and numeracy programs as well as lower certificate qualifications that lead to a certificate III.
Students who hold a healthcare or pension concession card or identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander will receive a higher subsidy.
Yes, students undertaking their training as part of the Certificate 3 Guarantee subsidy must contribute to their training cost through a co-contribution fee. There is an exception for foundation skills, denoted by FSK at the beginning of the course code. This training can be provided fee-free to students, as determined by the Skills Assure Supplier.
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 Engagement Team via email studentengagement@cqu.edu.au.
TAFE Subsidised Training
Reduce the fees you pay with government subsidised training, from free to low-fee TAFE course options.
VET in Schools (VETiS)
Find out more about the Queensland Government's VET in Schools (VETiS) funding that allows students to study TAFE Qualifications while still in school.
Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s
Find out more about the free TAFE study opportunities available for those under 25.
