Subsidised training and incentives

The Queensland Government invests in training based on industry advice to provide Queenslanders with the skills they need to gain meaningful and sustainable employment through the provider of their choice.

Government funding is directed to minimise skills shortages, focus on training for jobs that are in demand in our critical industries, and increase the number of Queenslanders with formal post-school qualifications.

Certificate 3 Guarantee
The Certificate 3 Guarantee provides a government subsidy to allow eligible Queenslanders to obtain their first post-school certificate III qualification.

User Choice (apprenticeship and traineeship funding)
The User Choice program provides public funding for the delivery of accredited, entry level training to apprentices and trainees.

Higher Level Skills
The Higher Level Skills program provides a government subsidy to help individuals gain the higher level skills and qualifications required to secure employment or career advancement in a priority industry.

Free apprenticeships for under 25s
Free apprenticeships for under 25s covers the cost of training for apprentices and trainees who commence, or are undertaking, a priority apprenticeship or traineeship qualification.

Fee Free TAFE
Fee Free TAFE allows eligible Queenslanders to study high priority qualifications for free at TAFE Queensland and CQUniversity.

Group training organisation pre-apprenticeship program
Queenslanders interested in an apprenticeship in hospitality, construction, engineering or automotive can get a taste of their chosen career with a certificate I traineeship through a group training organisation.

JobTrainer Fund
To help Queensland's economy to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, the JobTrainer Fund delivered additional training places in short courses, certificate and diploma qualifications to Queensland job seekers, school leavers and young people. Enrolments in this program closed 31 December 2022 for new students. Check your eligibility for Fee Free TAFE training.

Skilling Queenslanders for Work
Skilling Queenslanders for Work assists eligible, disadvantaged Queenslanders to gain the skills, qualifications, and experience to enter and stay in the workforce.

Trade Skills Assessment and Gap Training
The Trade Skills Assessment and Gap Training (TSAGT) program gives eligible Queenslanders with substantial industry experience the opportunity to complete a priority trade qualification.

Back to Work
Back to Work gives Queensland employers the confidence to take on someone new and the opportunity to grow their business. The Queensland Government supports eligible employers to hire an eligible unemployed job seeker. Payments of up to $20,000 are available to employers for an eligible full-time employee hired in either regional Queensland or areas of South East Queensland experiencing significant labour market challenges. Funding is subject to availability.

VET in Schools (VETiS)
VETiS funded from the VET Investment budget focuses on delivering qualifications to school students, providing them with the skills and knowledge required for employment in specific industries.

More information

• Find out what scholarships are available for people undertaking vocational education and training (VET).
• Learn about VET Student Loans, assisting eligible students to pay for higher-level VET tuition fees.
• View VET participation activity data and statistics.

Training Scammer Hotline

If you have a complaint relating to misleading advertising, such as a response to a job advertisement has been unknowingly referred to a training provider to enrol in a government subsidised qualification, contact the Training Scammer Hotline – Queensland Training Ombudsman on 1800 773 048 or trainingscammer@desbt.qld.gov.au to look into your issue or complaint.

Last updated 4 July 2023