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

Free TAFE
So far over 82,000 Queenslanders have benefitted from Free TAFE through around 200 courses that offer cost of living support to receive the skills needed for good jobs. Find out more about:

• Fee-Free TAFE
  Under the Australian Government's commitment to deliver 300,000 fee-free TAFE places across Australia from 2024–2026, Queenslanders will have access to around 14,500 fee-free places in 2024, with similar numbers planned for 2025 and 2026.
• Free Nursing
  Up to 3,500 fee-free places in the Diploma of Nursing are available to Queenslanders through specific training providers.
• Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s
  Queenslanders, under the age of 24, may be eligible to undertake high priority apprenticeship and traineeship qualifications for free.
• Free Construction Apprenticeships for Over 25s
  Under the Homes for Queensland Plan's Construction Workforce Fund, at least 2,250 adults (aged 25 and over) will be supported into construction-related apprenticeships.

Certificate 3 Guarantee
The Certificate 3 Guarantee provides eligible Queenslanders the opportunity 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 eligible Queenslanders the opportunity to gain the higher level skills and qualifications required to secure employment or career advancement in a priority industry.

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.

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.

VET in Schools
VET in Schools (VETiS) is a funding program that supports school students to complete qualifications that give them skills and knowledge required for employment in specific industries.

Electrical Industry Trainer and Assessor Traineeship and Scholarship Pilot
The Pilot supports experienced electricians to transition into trainer and assessor roles (and be employed by Skills Assure Suppliers) to help address training delays for electrical apprentices. The Pilot consists of a traineeship, and scholarship for underrepresented groups.

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 21 March 2025