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Career Start
Career Start is a state government subsidy designed to help working-age Queenslanders get their first post-school certificate III qualification.
Career Start explained
A certificate III is an industry-recognised qualification that can give you the skills you need to enter the job market, re-enter the workforce, or take the next step in your career. By reducing your upfront costs, Career Start can allow you to get a post-school qualification for less and help increase your job prospects and future career potential.
TAFE Queensland is a Skills Assure supplier, approved by the Department of Trade, Employment and Training to deliver Career Start subsidised courses to eligible Queenslanders. Our practical, hands-on approach to training will ensure you graduate job-ready with the skills employers are looking for.
How Career Start can help you
Through the Career Start subsidy, the Queensland Government will contribute to the cost of your course, significantly reducing your out-of-pocket expenses. Eligible students will still be required to contribute to the cost of their training through a co-contribution fee. The amount you need to contribute will vary depending on your chosen course. For example, a higher subsidy will apply to vocational areas that have a skills shortage and align with economic and industry skills needs.
Students who hold a healthcare or pension concession card, or identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, may be eligible for a higher subsidy amount.
Career Start eligibility
To be eligible for Career Start funding you must:
- be 15 years or older
- have completed or left secondary school
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident residing in Queensland, or New Zealand citizen permanently residing in Queensland
- not be enrolled in another qualification, even if it is on hold or deferred (not including foundations skills training)
- 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 count)
Please note: RPL study mode is available for Certificate III level programs only.
Career Start courses
There are a number of certificate III courses across a range of study areas that are eligible for Career Start funding. Please refer to the table below:
How to apply for Career Start
When you apply to study at TAFE Queensland our customer service staff will assess your eligibility for Career Start, as well as any other funding options you may be eligible for. Once you've chosen your course, simply hit the APPLY NOW button on the relevant course page to get the process started.
I am proud that I have a nationally-recognised qualification and hope to continue my studies onto the diploma and one day start my own business offering beauty services from home.