Community Foundation Skills

Community Foundation Skills is one of 8 programs that form part of the Queensland Government's Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative. Through a suite of targeted skills and training programs, Skilling Queenslanders for Work aims to improve the skills, employment opportunities and social inclusion of disadvantaged Queenslanders.

Program overview

Community Foundation Skills offers assistance to disadvantaged Queenslanders with low level language, literacy, numeracy and digital (LLND) skills to equip them with the knowledge and confidence to participate successfully in a modern knowledge economy.

In 2025–26, $5 million in funding will be available for community-based, not-for-profit organisations throughout Queensland.

Funded projects

For job seekers, the best way to find a current Skilling Queenslanders for Work project is by navigating a map.

To view projects recently announced under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, go to the funded project lists.

Who does the program support?

Community Foundation Skills primarily targets Queensland residents who are ineligible for Australian Government employment services or assistance.

Individuals accessing Australian Government services are eligible if they are disadvantaged and require complementary services, regardless of the length of time they have been unemployed or in receipt of assistance.

What does the program fund?

Community Foundation Skills funds organisations to deliver customised foundation skills training to people with low level LLND skills.

Participants under Community Foundation Skills can be enrolled in nationally recognised foundation skills qualifications, or appropriate non-accredited foundation skills preparatory courses that provide an essential pathway to further education and work.

The delivery of training and assessment services for community-based training projects are funded under the Certificate 3 Guarantee program.

The delivery of projects should be tailored to participants' circumstances.

Community Foundation Skills funds cover the tailored support that must accompany the delivery of nationally recognised foundation skills training within a community-based setting and the student co-contribution fees or stand-alone non-accredited foundation skills training or preparatory courses funded under a fee-for-service basis.

Digital skills training can be funded under Community Foundation Skills. Digital literacy covers the physical operations of digital devices and the software operations in those devices. It incorporates the ability to search and navigate, create, communicate and collaborate, think critically, analyse information, and address safety and wellbeing using a variety of digital technologies.

Who can apply for funding?

Community-based not-for-profit organisations, registered for GST, are eligible for funding. If the Foundation Skills Training Package is to be offered to participants, the training and assessment services component of the funded project must be delivered by a registered training organisation (RTO) that has Queensland Government Skills Assure supplier (SAS) status.

More information is detailed in the Community Foundation Skills Guidelines for funding below.

Funding levels and conditions

Funding is available for a maximum 12-month term. The level of funding is dependent on the type of project and nature of the training and assistance to be provided, as well as the number of participants targeted by the project.

How to apply

Applications are accepted during 2 open funding rounds each year.

First and second rounds generally open February/March and August/September respectively.

Learn more about the application process and how to apply.

Program documents

Community Foundation Skills Guidelines for funding 2025–26 (PDF, 408KB)

Community Foundation Skills 2025–26 fact sheet (PDF, 204KB)

Sample Skilling Queenslanders for Work services agreement (PDF, 533KB)

Last updated 3 April 2025