Career Start Program
Build the skills to start or restart your career — with your first Certificate III qualification, subsidised by the Queensland Government.
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Overview
The Career Start Program is a Queensland Government initiative that supports eligible individuals to complete their first post-school Certificate III qualifications. The program provides training to help individuals find a job and supports those already employed to move into more skilled roles or full-time employment, including after completing an apprenticeship or traineeship.
These qualifications are often considered entry-level requirements for many industry sectors and can help you:
- Move into employment
- Re-enter the workforce
- Upskill to advance your career
Under Career Start, an individual may access up to two subsidised training places through one of the following options:
- a general qualification at certificate III and an apprenticeship/traineeship, noting that if the apprenticeship/ traineeship is done first, the individual is no longer eligible to access a general qualification under Career Start; or
- two apprenticeships/traineeships at either certificate II or III, including school based apprenticeships or traineeships (SATs).
In addition, under Career Start, individuals may access one subsidised introductory-level skill set.
Funded Programs available
Career Start – General Training Programs
Qualification *Click on Qualification for Course Information Sheet |
Locations Available |
Co-contribution Fee Amount |
Concessional Co-contribution Fee Amount |
| 11054NAT – Certificate II in Plumbing Services |
|
$450.00 | $0.00 |
| AUR20220 – Certificate II in Automotive Air Conditioning Technology |
|
$325.00 | $0.00 |
| AUR20420 – Certificate II in Automotive Electrical Technology |
|
$400.00 | $0.00 |
| AUR20720 – Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation |
|
$300.00 | $0.00 |
| BSB30120 – Certificate III in Business |
|
$325.00 | $130.00 |
| CPC10120 – Certificate I in Construction |
|
$275.00 | $0.00 |
| MEM20422 – Certificate II in Engineering Pathways |
|
$300.00 | $0.00 |
| SIT30622 – Certificate III in Hospitality |
|
$375.00 | $150.00 |
| UEE22020 – Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start) |
|
$300.00 | $0.00 |
| UEE22025 – Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start) |
|
$300.00 | $0.00 |
| UEE22120 – Certificate II in Sustainable Energy (Career Start) |
|
$250.00 | $0.00 |
Career Start – Apprenticeship Programs
Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s will cover the cost of training for Queensland apprentices or trainees who commenced or are undertaking one of the high priority apprenticeships or traineeships from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2027, any business taking on an eligible young apprentice or trainee under the age of 25 in any of the high priority qualifications will not have to pay any student contribution fees.
Qualification *Click on Qualification for Course Information Sheet |
Locations Available |
Full Qualification Nominal Hours |
Co-contribution Fee Amount ($1.60 per Nominal Hour) |
Concessional Co-contribution Fee Amount ($0.64 per Nominal Hour) |
Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s |
| AUR30320 – Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology |
|
915 Hours | $1,464.00 | $585.60 | Yes |
| AUR30620 – Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology |
|
925 Hours | $1,480.00 | $592.00 | Yes |
| CPC30120 – Certificate III in Shopfitting |
|
825 Hours | $1,320.00 | $528.00 | Yes |
| CPC30220 – Certificate III in Carpentry |
|
1096 Hours | $1,753.60 | $701.44 | Yes |
| CPC31920 – Certificate III in Joinery |
|
1087 Hours | $1,739.20 | $695.68 | Yes |
| CPC32420 – Certificate III in Plumbing |
|
1107 Hours | $1,771.20 | $708.48 | Yes |
| CPC32420 – Certificate III in Plumbing (Roofing) |
|
1183 Hours | $1,892.80 | $757.12 | Yes |
| CPC32620 – Certificate III in Roof Plumbing |
|
471 Hours | $753.60 | $301.44 | Yes |
| MEM30219 – Certificate III in Engineering Mechanical Trade |
|
960 Hours | $1,536.00 | $614.40 | Yes |
| MEM30219 – Certificate III in Engineering Mechanical Trade (Fitting) |
|
974 Hours | $1,558.40 | $623.36 | Yes |
| MEM30219 – Certificate III in Engineering Mechanical Trade (Machining) |
|
980 Hours | $1,568.00 | $627.20 | Yes |
| MEM31922 – Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade |
|
970 Hours | $1,552.00 | $620.80 | Yes |
| MEM31922 – Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade (Boilermaking) |
|
970 Hours | $1,552.00 | $620.80 | Yes |
| MEM31922 – Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade (Boilermaking/Welding) |
|
960 Hours | $1,536.00 | $614.40 | Yes |
| MEM31922 – Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade (Sheetmetal Working) |
|
960 Hours | $1,536.00 | $614.40 | Yes |
| MEM31922 – Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade (Welding) |
|
970 Hours | $1,552.00 | $620.80 | Yes |
| MSF30322 – Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology (Cabinet Making) |
|
931 Hours | $1,489.60 | $595.84 | Yes |
| MSF30322 – Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology (Furniture Making) |
|
931 Hours | $1,489.60 | $595.84 | Yes |
| MSF30322 – Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology (Kitchen and Bathroom) |
|
945 Hours | $1,512.00 | $604.80 | Yes |
| SIT30821 – Certificate III in Commercial Cookery |
|
930 Hours | $1,488.00 | $595.20 | Yes |
| UEE30820 – Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician |
|
1146 Hours | $1,833.60 | $733.44 | Yes |
Career Start – Traineeship Programs
Qualification *Click on Qualification for Course Information Sheet |
Locations Available |
Full Qualification Nominal Hours |
Co-contribution Fee Amount ($1.60 per Nominal Hour) |
Concessional Co-contribution Fee Amount ($0.64 per Nominal Hour) |
| AHC20422 – Certificate II in Horticulture |
|
495 Hours | $792.00 | $316.80 |
| AUR20220 – Certificate II in Automotive Air Conditioning Technology |
|
290 Hours | $464.00 | $185.60 |
| AUR20420 – Certificate II in Automotive Electrical Technology |
|
345 Hours | $552.00 | $220.80 |
| BSB30120 – Certificate III in Business |
|
485 Hours | $776.00 | $310.40 |
| CPC10120 – Certificate I in Construction |
|
298 Hours | $476.80 | $190.72 |
| SIT30622 – Certificate III in Hospitality |
|
395 – 425 Hours | $632 – $680 | $252.80 – $272 |
Who is this pathway for?
This training pathway is suited to:
- Adults aged 15 or older who are no longer at school
- Queensland residents looking to gain nationally recognised qualifications at the Certificate III level
- Jobseekers, return-to-work individuals, or those wanting to secure entry-level roles
Eligibility
To enrol under a General Training Pathway Career Start Program, you must:
- Be aged 15 years or older
- No longer be at school
- Permanently reside in Queensland
- Be an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident (incl. humanitarian entrant), or hold temporary residency with work rights and a pathway to permanent residency
- Not already hold, or be enrolled in, a Certificate III or higher-level qualification completed within the last 10 years (excludes qualifications completed as a school student and foundation skills qualifications )
To enrol under an Apprenticeship/Traineeship Pathway Career Start Program, you must:
- Be aged 15 years or older
- No longer be at school (excluding SAT Students)
- Permanently reside in Queensland
- Be an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident (incl. humanitarian entrant), or hold temporary residency with work rights and a pathway to permanent residency
- have entered into a Contract (training contract) for a qualification that is funded by DTET and be registered on DTET’s training database;
- if from overseas, have a visa allowing them to work in Australia; and
- not have already completed two apprenticeship/traineeship qualifications (including SATs) within the last 10 years.
For more information, view the Career Start Program Policy or Student Fact Sheet.
Want to Know About Fees and Funding?
Many general, apprenticeship and traineeship qualifications are government funded under the Career Start program. You may be eligible for partial or full fee exemptions.
Visit our Funding & Fees page to learn more about:
- How government subsidies support your training
- Co-contribution fees and how they’re calculated
- Payment options and who can pay on your behalf
- Fee exemptions and who they apply to
- Our refund policy and payment terms
Want to know more?
If you’d like more information about any of the courses at Australian Trade Training College, please complete the form below and a team member will be in contact