The Queensland Government funds a range of training pathways for Queenslanders at all career stages. With a goal to increase the number of Queenslanders with formal post-school qualifications, government funding is directed to qualifications that:
- minimise skills shortages
- and
- focus on training for jobs that are in demand in our critical industries.
To learn more about our skilling priorities, initiatives and where funding is being invested, view our:
What is an industry proposal
The industry proposal enables industry to submit a request for funding of nationally recognised qualifications or skill sets, not already funded by the Queensland Government.
From 1 July 2025, you can submit an industry proposal to request funding under:
- VET in Schools (VETiS) – provides Queensland school students access to undertake a nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET) qualification whilst at school.
- Career Start – provides eligible students access to low-cost certificate III or lower-level qualifications (including apprenticeships and traineeships) in critical and emerging industries, to help them gain employment.
- Career Boost – provides eligible students access to certificate IV or higher-level qualifications and nationally recognised skill sets in critical and emerging industries, to help them gain employment, advance their career, or transition to higher education.
Declaration of an apprenticeship or traineeship and allocation of funding
Use the Declaration of an apprenticeship or traineeship and the allocation of funding arrangements application to:
- apply to declare new apprenticeships or traineeships
- and
- propose funding allocation for new or previously declared apprenticeships or traineeships.
Visit the Queensland Training Information Service (QTIS) to find all declared apprenticeships and traineeships and existing funding arrangements.
View the Queensland Subsidised Training List which specifies current funding contributions towards the total cost of training for apprentices and trainees. Apprenticeships and traineeships not on this list are not funded.
Who can submit a proposal
Proposals can be submitted by industry stakeholders, such as employers or industry bodies working and/or specialising in the industry sector for the associated training project(s).
We do not accept industry proposals from registered training organisations (RTOs) or organisations providing consultancy services to RTOs.
Qualification criteria
To consider the proposal, the requested qualification(s) must:
- be nationally recognised
- have one or more RTOs approved to deliver training
- and
- be listed on Training.gov.au.
We are less likely to consider proposals for qualifications or skill sets with fewer than 20 annual commencements – these qualifications and skill sets risk creating 'thin markets' that may not ensure cost-effective quality training.
Letters of industry support
Letters of support from within your industry is a mandatory requirement and must be attached to your proposal. For each qualification or skill set listed on your proposal, you must provide a minimum of 3 industry stakeholder letters, with at least 2 of those letters from employers.
The letters of support must:
- be on a company letterhead
- be signed and dated
- have the author's full name, title, position and contact information
- outline the demand for new entrants, pathways into the labour market, career advancement opportunities and/or anticipated job outcomes for graduates within the industry sector
- include the intent of employers/industry to employ apprentices/trainees and support graduates
- include any support form RTOs, including those recognised as Skills Assure Suppliers (SAS), capable of delivering the services in Queensland, or non-SAS RTOs if SAS options are not available.
Complete and submit the proposal
Complete an industry proposal (DOCX, 229KB)
Before submitting, ensure all sections of the proposal are completed in full. Include citations for all data and references used (where relevant) to facilitate our verification and assessment process.
You'll receive a confirmation of receipt within 2 business days.
Assessment and notification of outcome
We'll assess the information and evidence you provide in conjunction with a range of other criteria.
Our review process includes, but is not limited to:
- assessment by us against verifiable data. Data sources we use for verification and assessment include, but are not limited to:
- consultation with key industry organisations, other government departments and/or subject matter experts, as required
- final decision by a delegated departmental officer.
You'll be informed of the outcome of your proposal in writing. Due to the detailed nature of the review process, it may take up to 3 months from the date of lodgement for the assessment to be completed and the final decision communicated.
If further information is required at any stage of the process, we'll contact you. If your proposal is not approved, you'll receive feedback on the reasons for the decision.
For more information regarding the assessment process, email tso@desbt.qld.gov.au.
Last updated 15 August 2025
