Career Start (QLD)
About The Program
Career Start offers eligible Queenslanders access to subsidised Certificate III qualifications, apprenticeships and traineeships, plus foundational skills training in areas like literacy, numeracy and digital literacy.
Launched on 1 July 2025, it supports job seekers and those employed in entry-level positions to gain industry-relevant, job-ready skills, especially in priority and emerging sectors. Delivered via Skills Assure Suppliers, the program replaces Certificate III Guarantee and User Choice initiatives.
Key Features:
Focused on foundation and entry-level skills
Funded options for two traineeships/apprenticeships or one general qualification + one traineeship
Ideal for early-career hires or clients wanting to grow talent from within
Like Career Boost, we support clients with training plans tailored to operational needs
Funding Options
About The Fund
Are you an apprentice or a trainee in Queensland? If so, you may be eligible for the User Choice program. This Government-funded program provides contributions towards the cost of training and assessment services. This fantastic program recognises that employment-based training aligned to skills shortages is an essential priority in Queensland, and provides funding to meet industry needs and changing government priorities. So if this sounds like something you’re interested in, make sure to check out the eligibility requirements now!
Courses Eligible For Funding
Certificate III in Business
(General)
BSB30120
Certificate III in Business
(Traineeship)
BSB30120
Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations
(Traineeship)
RII30120
Certificate III in Civil Construction - Plant
Operations
(Apprenticeship)
RII30820
Certificate III in Civil Construction - Bituminous Surfacing
(Traineeship)
RII30920
Certificate III in Civil Construction - Bridge Construction and Maintenance
(Traineeship)
RII30920
Certificate III in Civil Construction - Pipe Layer (Traineeship)
RII30920
Certificate III in Civil Construction - Road Construction and Maintenance
(Traineeship)
RII30920
Certificate III in Civil Construction - Road Marketing
(Traineeship)
RII30920
Certificate III in Civil Construction - Traffic Management
(Traineeship)
RII30920
Fund Details
General Training Pathway Eligibility:
- Aged 15 years or older.
- Not a school student.
- Permanently reside in Queensland.
- Australian citizen, permanent resident (including humanitarian entrant), eligible temporary resident, or New Zealand citizen.
- Must not already hold a Certificate III or higher qualification completed in the last 10 years (school qualifications and foundation skills excluded).
- Must not be enrolled in another qualification (excluding foundation skills).
Apprenticeship/Traineeship Pathway Eligibility:
- School students can only access via a school-based apprenticeship/traineeship (SAT).
- Must be employed and have a registered training contract for an eligible qualification.
- If from overseas, must have a visa permitting work in Australia.
- Must not have already completed two apprenticeships/traineeships within the last 10 years (including SATs).
Want more information about the Queensland Government User Choice Program ? Check out the below resources!
If it turns out that you are eligible for government funding, we want to make sure you know that there will still be a cost involved in your training – but don’t worry, it’s not too much!
You’ll need to pay a small co-contribution fee as part of your course. Student contribution fees under the Career Start program are currently:
General Training (Certificate III)
- Per-unit contribution:
- Non-concessional: $4.00
- Concessional: $1.60
Designed to help individuals gain first-time Certificate III qualifications. Only one general qualification per person is funded under Career Start.
Apprenticeship/Traineeship Delivery
- Per-nominal-hour fee:
- Non-concessional: $1.60
- Concessional: $0.64
Consistent with historical User Choice rates, maintaining parity and simplicity.
Concessional student status applies when the student falls into one of the following categories:
- Holds a Health Care, Veteran or Pensioner Concession Card issued under Commonwealth law, or is the partner or a dependant of a person who holds such a card and is named on the card.
- Holds an official form issued under Commonwealth law confirming that they, their partner, or the person of whom they are a dependant is entitled to concessions under a Health Care, Veteran or Pensioner Concession Card.
- Identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
- Has a disability.
- Is an adult prisoner.
Please note: if you are applying for concessional rates, you will need to provide evidence of the above.
For our refund policy, please see the Gold Training Student Handbook for our terms, conditions and cancellations policy.
Not sure if you're eligible for the Career Start? Contact us to find out now!
Benefits of employing a trainee
By employing an apprentice or a trainee, you provide training in ‘your way of doing the job‘ and by having staff trained your way from the start, you can increase your business’ efficiency and productivity.
Financial incentives may be available to employers (dependent upon the qualification). Please visit the Queensland Government website for more information on the financial incentives and benefits involved with employing a trainee or an apprentice.