Career Start Program

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.

Courses available

Career Start – General Training Programs

• 11054NAT – Certificate II in Plumbing Services
• AHC20422 – Certificate II in Horticulture
• AUR20220 – Certificate II in Automotive Air Conditioning Technology
• AUR20420 – Certificate II in Automotive Electrical Technology
• AUR20720 – Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation
• BSB30120 – Certificate III in Business
• CPC10120 – Certificate I in Construction
• MEM20422 – Certificate II in Engineering Pathways
• MSF30322 – Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology
• SIT30622 – Certificate III in Hospitality
• SIT40521 – Certificate IV in Kitchen Management
• UEE22020 – Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start)
• UEE22120 – Certificate II in Sustainable Energy (Career Start)
• AURSS00064 – Battery Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing skill set

Career Start – Apprenticeship Programs

• AUR30320 – Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
• AUR30620 – Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
• CPC30120 – Certificate III in Shopfitting
• CPC30220 – Certificate III in Carpentry
• CPC31920 – Certificate III in Joinery
• CPC32420 – Certificate III in Plumbing
• CPC32620 – Certificate III in Roof Plumbing
• MEM30219 – Certificate III in Engineering Mechanical Trade
• MEM31922 – Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade
• SIT30821 – Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
• UEE30820 – Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
• CPC32420 – Certificate III in Plumbing (Mechanical Services)
• CPC32420 – Certificate III in Plumbing (Roofing)
• CPC32420 – Certificate III in Plumbing (Roofing and Mechanical)
• MEM30219 – Certificate III in Engineering Mechanical Trade (Fitting)
• MEM30219 – Certificate III in Engineering Mechanical Trade (Machining)
• MEM30219 – Certificate III in Engineering Mechanical Trade (Maintenance Fitting/Machining
• MEM31922 – Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade (Boilermaking)
• MEM31922 – Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade (Boilermaking/Welding)
• MEM31922 – Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade (Sheetmetal Working)
• MEM31922 – Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade (Surface Finishing)
• MEM31922 – Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade (Welding)
• MSF30322 – Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology (Cabinet Making)
• MSF30322 – Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology (Furniture Making)
• MSF30322 – Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology (Kitchen and Bathroom)
• MSF30322 – Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology (Marine Cabinetry)
• MSF30322 – Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology (Wood Machining)

Career Start – Traineeship Programs

• AUR20220 – Certificate II in Automotive Air Conditioning Technology
• AUR20420 – Certificate II in Automotive Electrical Technology
• BSB30120 – Certificate III in Business
• CPC10120 – Certificate I in Construction
• SIT30622 – Certificate III in Hospitality

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