QLD Career Start Program

General Training Pathway

To access subsidised training through Career Start (General Training), you must:

• be a Queensland resident
• be aged 15 years or over, and no longer at school (with the exception of VET in Schools students)
• be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident (including humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency
• not hold, or be enrolled in, a certificate III level or higher qualification completed within the last 10 years (qualifications completed as a school student, and foundation skills qualifications don't count).
• not be currently enrolled in another qualification, regardless of whether that enrolment is active, deferred, or on hold. This applies to both government-funded and privately funded courses (foundation skills qualifications don't count).

Apprenticeship and Traineeship Pathway

To access subsidised training through Career Start (Apprenticeships and Traineeships), you must:

• Be employed under a formal training contract for a qualification that is funded by the department.
• Be registered in the department’s training system.
• If not an Australian citizen, hold a visa that permits work in Australia.
• Not have completed more than two apprenticeships or traineeships within the past 10 years. This includes any completed while at school.

Important Eligibility Information

Some qualifications and skill sets may also have additional entry requirements or exemptions. These are determined by industry or sector requirements and national training package guidelines.

For more information regarding the Career Start Program, please ensure you read the fact sheet as released by the Department of Trade, Employment and Training.

It is important to note that an individual is no longer eligible for a government subsidised training place under the Career Start Program once they complete a certificate III level vocational qualification.

For more assistance on selecting the right course for you, please feel free to contact a Careers Advisor on 1300 616 197.

Loss of Entitlement Warning

You can access up to two subsidised training places total, as either (a) one general training pathway for a Certificate III qualification plus one apprenticeship/traineeship, or (b) two apprenticeships/traineeships at Certificate II/III (incl. school-based apprenticeship/traineeship) plus one subsidised skill set.

If you do the apprenticeship/traineeship first, you’re not eligible later for a general Certificate III under the Career Start Program. You cannot complete two general pathway qualifications. An individual can complete no more than two subsidised apprenticeships/traineeships across core programs.

Students undertaking Certificate III level training and non-concessional students undertaking lower-level vocational training are required to contribute to the costs of their training through a co-contribution fee.

• The out-of-pocket cost depends on your chosen course and eligibility and is set by Foundation Education.
• Co-contribution fees are confirmed prior to enrolment.
• Fees may be paid on your behalf by an employer or third party.
• Foundation Education (or any other related organisation) cannot pay or waive training fees unless explicit approval has been granted by the Department.
• No fee is charged for units achieved through Credit Transfer.

Exemptions and Concessions

• Free apprenticeships and traineeships for under-25s: Eligible students who commence by 30 June 2027 may receive fully subsidised training through to completion.
• Concessional rates (lower co-contribution fee) may apply if you are:
• A student (or partner or guardian) holding a Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card
• An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
• A student with a disability
• An adult prisoner

For more information on whether you would receive a concessional student status, please refer to the Department of Trade, Employment and Training's website or feel free to call a Careers Advisor on 1300 616 197.

Foundation Education currently offers subsidised Certificate III qualifications under the Career Start Program. For full course details, including entry requirements, see the individual course overview pages. A pricing breakdown is provided to students during the enrolment process.

Non-Concessional Students Co-Contribution Fee

Course	Co-Contribution Fee Total	Co-Contribution Fee Per Unit
HLT33021 Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance	$790*	$65.83
HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance	$790*	$52.67
HLT35021 Certificate III inDental Assisting	$790*	$79
CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care	$790*	$46.47
CHC30221 Certificate III in School Based Education Support	$790*	$52.67

Concessional Students Co-Contribution Fee

Course	Co-Contribution Fee Total	Co-Contribution Fee Per Unit
HLT33021 Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance	$490*	$40.83
HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance	$490*	$32.67
HLT35021 Certificate III inDental Assisting	$490*	$49
CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care	$490*	$28.82
CHC30221 Certificate III in School Based Education Support	$490*	$32.67

Notes on external units

Courses marked with an asterisk (*) include one or more units that must be completed through an external training provider of your choice. Our website's course information page outlines the specific unit(s) that must be completed externally.  

• These units are recognised via Credit Transfer. We do not charge additional fees to process your Credit Transfer.
• Costs for these units are not included in the co-contribution fee total listed.
• As a guide, the First Aid unit (HLTAID011) typically costs $100–$250 depending on provider and location. Students pay these costs directly to their chosen provider.