Career Start supports Queensland job seekers to start their career, or move into more skilled roles or full-time employment.

You can participate in a general training pathway, which provides reduced-cost entry-level training aligned to the skill outcomes required by industry.

To be eligible for Career Start (General Training) Funding, prospective students must:

• Be aged 15 years or older, and no longer in school
• Permanently live in Queensland
• Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident (includes humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with an eligible visa subclass
• Not already have a Certificate III or higher qualification completed within the last 10 years
  • Qualifications completed as a school student, and Foundation Skills qualifications do not impact eligibility
• Not be enrolled in another government-funded qualification, even if it is on hold or deferred
  • Foundation Skills qualifications and self-funded/fee-for-service qualifications do not impact eligibility

Lower level qualifications

Career Start also supports access to certain lower-level qualifications including pre-apprenticeships, qualifications for Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) projects, qualifications for adult prisoners and young people in detention. For detail on which cohorts may be eligible for a lower-level qualification, refer to the specific course pages for more detail.

Fees

Given the benefits of training, including improved job opportunities and higher earnings, students enrolled in Certificate III qualifications and non-concessional students in lower-level qualifications are required to contribute to the cost of training through a co-contribution fee (outlined on each specific course page).  The fee may be paid on behalf of the student by an employer or a third party, but cannot be paid or waived by CSTC.

Concessional student status applies for students who:

• Hold a card (Health Care, Seniors Health, Veterans’ Affairs or Pensioner Concession) issued under Commonwealth law – or are the partner or a dependant of a person who holds a such a card and they are named on the card
• Identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
• Have a disability
• Are from a non-English speaking background
• Are an adult prisoner

Additional student support

Where  a clear need has been identified for Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Capability (LLND) support, CSTC may offer Foundation Skills training to support the student with completing their enrolled qualification.

Impact of accessing funding

Under Career Start, an eligible individual may access up to two subsidised training places through one (1) of the following options:

• A General Training qualification and an apprenticeship/traineeship – if the General Training qualification is completed first
  • If the apprenticeship/traineeship is done first, you are no longer eligible to access a General Training qualification under Career Start
• Two (2) apprenticeships/traineeships at either Certificate II or III, including school based apprenticeships or traineeships (SATs)

Note:

• In addition to the pathways described above, you may access one (1) subsidised introductory-level skill set.
• You cannot do two General Training qualifications under Career Start.
• Foundation skills training may be offered to support in Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Capability (LLND) skills without impacting the number of subsidised training places.

How to apply for Career Start (General Training) Funding

Contact us to discuss funding eligibility and/or to apply for funding