Subsidised training to support individuals to complete their first post-school Certificate III qualification.
The Priority Skills List identifies the qualifications and skill sets that attract a government subsidy. The subsidy varies based on investment priority or importance of the training.
Participants can be job seekers, Year 12 graduates or existing workers on full-time, part-time, or casual basis who meet eligibility requirements.

Find out more about the Certificate 3 Guarantee program on the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training website.

Higher Level Skills

Subsidised training in selected Certificate IV or above qualifications to help individuals gain higher-level skills required to secure employment or career advancement in a priority industry.
Training in vocational areas that align with critical industry skills needs and government priorities will receive a higher government subsidy. Higher subsidies will also be paid to support some students (for example, disadvantaged learners) and training undertaken in identified country and remote locations.
The Priority Skills List identifies the qualifications and skill sets that attract a government subsidy.

Find out more about the Higher Level Skills program on the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training website.

User Choice Apprenticeship and Traineeship

Provides a public funding contribution towards the cost of training and assessment for eligible Queensland apprentices and trainees.
Funding available for accredited training for careers in various transport and logistics sectors.
Assistance for apprentices and trainees to undertake structured employment-based training to gain a nationally recognised qualification.

Find out more about the User Choice Apprenticeship and Traineeship program on the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training website.

Back to Work C3G Boost

Subsidies available for eligible jobseekers to undertake accredited training aligned to local employment opportunities from qualifications on the Priority Skills List.
May include second chance training for jobseekers who already have a Certificate III or higher, but need new or updated skills to gain, change or retain employment.
Local Back to Work Jobseeker officers can provide career and training assessments to connect jobseekers with subsidised training and provide a recommended training pathway.

Find out more about the Back to Work C3G Boost program on the Back to Work website or call 13 74 68.

Free TAFE for under 25s

Funding provided for people under 25 years old, to undertake free TAFE training in priority Certificate III qualifications at TAFE Queensland and Central Queensland University only.

Find out more about the Free TAFE for under 25s program on the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training website.

Free apprenticeships for under 25s

Covers the cost of training for Queensland apprentices or trainees under 25 years old, who commenced, or are undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship in a priority qualification from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2023.

Find out more about the Free apprenticeships for under 25s program on the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training website.

Skilling Queenslanders for Work

A suite of targeted skills and training programs supporting disadvantaged Queenslanders to gain the skills, qualifications and experience needed to enter and stay in the workforce.

Find out more about the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program on the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training website.

VET in Schools (VETiS)

Provides funding for high school students to undertake a nationally recognised VET qualification with a supervising Registered Training Organisation while still at school.
Students undertaking VETiS funded by the VET Investment budget, can complete one employment stream qualification at the Certificate I or II level.
Students can choose to undertake a Certificate III qualification via a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship.
VETiS eligible qualifications are identified on the Priority Skills List. School-based apprenticeship and traineeships are identified on the funding and pricing User Choice List.

Find out more about the VET in Schools (VETiS) program on the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training website.

Travel and accommodation subsidy for apprentices and trainees

Available to eligible apprentices and trainees who are required to travel at least 100kms return to attend off-the-job training for their apprenticeship/traineeship.
Not applicable to school-based apprentices and trainees.

Find out more about the travel and accommodation subsidy for apprentices and trainees on the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training website.

Diverse Queensland Workforce Program

Provides a range of employment and training services to work ready migrants or refugees (including temporary visa holders with necessary work permits), and international students aged 18 years and over, who are unemployed or underemployed.

Find out more about the Diverse Queensland Workforce Program on the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training website.

Queensland Overseas Foundation Scholarships

The scholarship assists high achieving 18–30-year-old trainees, apprentices and vocational education and training graduates (Cert III and above) to travel and work overseas to gain additional career experience in their chosen field.
The bursary aims to assist early, and mid-career VET trainers and assessors (VET graduates) presently employed in Queensland to undertake short-term training, professional development, and knowledge exchange opportunities abroad.

Find out more about Queensland Overseas Foundation Scholarships on the Queensland Overseas Foundation website.

Qualifications and skills (Australian Government)

Fee-Free TAFE

Provides funding for some or all course costs for eligible participants.
Courses have been specifically chosen based on local skills demand and advice from industry. The list is available on the Fee-Free TAFE website.

Find out more about Fee-Free TAFE on the TAFE Queensland website.

VET Student Loans

Assists eligible students to pay tuition fees for approved higher-level (diploma and above) VET courses when studying at VET Student Loans approved course providers.

Find out more about VET Student Loans on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.

Foundation Skills for Your Future

Support for individuals who need training in reading, writing, maths, English or digital skills.
Can include employer workplace projects that are employer or industry specific.
Can be either accredited or non-accredited training up to a Certificate II level.

Find out more about the Foundation Skills for Your Future program on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.

Skills for Education and Employment (SEE)

Provides free training to help participants build their English speaking, reading, writing, maths, and basic computer skills.
Helps build confidence to engage in the community, undertake further study or gain employment.

Find out more about the Skills for Education and Employment program on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.

Launch into Work

Job seekers are recruited for pre-employment projects designed to deliver training and skills that meet a participating organisation’s employment requirements.
Projects will generally run for between two and 6 weeks, some projects require more training and could run for up to 12 weeks. It depends on the needs of the employing organisation.
Employers commit to hiring suitable job seekers who successfully complete a Launch into Work project.

Find out more about the Launch into Work program on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.

Employability Skills Training

Course offered to eligible unemployed jobseekers to assist with the development of job search and workplace skills.
Training courses can be industry focussed to provide participants with the skills and knowledge required for entry-level employment in that industry.

Find out more about the Employability Skills Training program on the Workforce Australia website.

Transition to Work

Pre-employment support for young people aged 15–24 years to develop practical skills to get a job, connect with education or training, find local job opportunities, and connect with relevant local community services.

Find out more about the Transition to Work program on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website or call 1800 805 260 or the employer hotline on 13 17 15.

Financial support for Australian Apprentices and Trainees

Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment: direct financial assistance for apprentices undertaking a Certificate III or higher qualification in an occupation on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List.
Trade Support Loans: available to assist with everyday costs of completing an apprenticeship/traineeship. Eligible to those studying a qualification on the Trade Support Loans Priority List.
Living Away from Home Allowance: allowance for eligible apprentices who need to move away from their parental/guardian home to commence an apprenticeship and or if they are or become homeless.

Find out more about financial support for Australian apprentices and trainees on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.

Commonwealth Scholarships for Young Australians and ex-Australian Defence Force Personnel

Scholarships available to eligible young Australians (aged 15–24) or personnel who have exited the Australian Defence Force in the last 2 years to undertake approved VET study at Certificate III to Advanced Diploma level, leading to an occupation in demand.
Scholarships of up to $5,000 per year for eligible participants with an additional $3,000 payment made for completing a 20-day internship.
Only available to those who live in selected regions. Queensland regions are Maryborough and Townsville.

Find out more about Commonwealth Scholarships for Young Australian and ex- Australian Defence Force Personnel on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.

Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers Program

Support for eligible older workers aged 40 years or over, including career assessment, one-on-one career guidance and recommendations to further skills training.
Provides up to $2,200 co-contribution for eligible candidates towards training for an occupation listed as being in shortage or with strong future demand on the Skills Priority List.

Find out more about the Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers Program on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.

Career Transition Assistance

Support for jobseekers aged 45 years and older, to increase their job readiness by identifying transferable skills, improving job search skills, and improving digital literacy.
Businesses can work with a Career Transition Assistance provider to connect with experienced candidates.

Find out more about Career Transition Assistance on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.

Observational Work Experience

Participants undertake short-term, unpaid placements with a host business to build soft skills, learn more about the workplace and demonstrate their interest and reliability to employers.
Allows businesses to see if a participant would be a good fit before employing them.
Wage subsidies may be applicable if the participant is employed after the placement.

Find out more about Observational Work Experience on the Workforce Australia website.

Business growth assistance (Queensland Government)

Workforce Connect Fund

An initiative designed to increase investment in industry and community-led projects that address attraction, retention, and participation issues within the workforce.
Funding of up to $1 million for large-scale projects for (up to 12 months), delivered by industry peak bodies and community peak organisations to connect, develop, and implement new and innovative strategies, services and/or mechanisms that support the attraction and retention of employees.
Also provides funding of up to $5,000 to eligible small businesses, that identify an immediate need for new and innovative HR solutions to support their business.

Find out more about the Workforce Connect Fund on the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training website, email wcf@desbt.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 935.

Business Queensland Mentoring for Growth

Eligible businesses are offered free access to volunteer business experts who provide insights, options, and suggestions on a variety of topics such as cashflow, growth strategies, marketing and sales, business development, finance, human resources and export and investment.

Find out more about the Business Queensland Mentoring for Growth program on the Business Queensland website or email m4g@desbt.qld.gov.au.

Back To Work Small Business Short Courses

A range of free short courses to provide additional skills and build confidence for small business employers to encourage retention of employees.

Find out more about Back to Work Small Business Short Courses on the Back to Work website.

Advance Queensland

A range of programs, funds and grants providing support and funding across industry.

Find out more about Advance Queensland on the Advance Queensland website.

Backing Female Founders Program

Assists female founders at different stages of the entrepreneurial lifecycle, incorporating several initiatives to address barriers in the youth, startup, scaleup and global stages of the innovation pipeline.
The second phase of the program will offer 2 key initiatives which will open for applications soon:
- $1 million Co-investment Grants Fund to support Queensland Female Founders to find a private partner for part funding, with Advance Queensland to match this funding.
- Accelerating Female Founders to provide funding for proponents to provide accelerator, business acumen and mentoring programs and activities to female founders as well as on going networks, connections and opportunities beyond the duration of the program.

Find out more about the Backing Female Founders Program on the Advance Queensland website.

COVID-19 business support and recovery

Various general business and industry specific support and financial assistance available to assist in the recovery from COVID-19.

Find out more about COVID-19 support and recovery on the Business Queensland website.

Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance

A range of disaster assistance support measures and initiatives to help Queenslanders recover from natural disaster and weather events.

Find out more about Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance on the Business Queensland website.

Business growth assistance (Australian Government)

Entrepreneur’s Programme

A range of services giving access to expert advice and financial support through grants to help businesses progress their goals.

Find out more about the Entrepreneur's Programme on the Australian Government Business website.

Business grants and programs finder

A tool for businesses to find grants, funding, and support programs from across government.

Find out more about the business grants and programs finder on the Australian Government Business website.

Employer subsidies (Queensland Government)

Back to Work Employer Incentives

Available throughout regional Queensland and in select areas of south east Queensland, experiencing significant labour market challenges.
Back to Work Support Payment—up to $15,000 for employers hiring an eligible unemployed job seeker from the identified target groups.
Youth Boost Payment—up to $20,000 for employers hiring an eligible young job seeker (aged 15-24 and unemployed for eight weeks or longer)
Small Business Support Pool—additional $2,000 payment for eligible small business employers approved for a Back to Work Incentive Payment, to help support and retain their employees.
Small Business Short Courses—free short courses, developed in partnership with TAFE Queensland, to support businesses to recruit and retain employees.

Find out more about Back to Work Employer Incentives on the Back to Work website or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

Employer incentives and subsidies for apprenticeships and traineeships Skilling Queenslanders for Work

Financial support for eligible businesses when employing an apprentice or trainee in Queensland to reduce the cost of training and supervision. May include:
- one-off incentive payments
- subsidies (wages, training)
- discounts (workers' compensation
- exemptions (payroll tax).
Depending on circumstances, employers may be eligible for more than one kind of payment.

Find out more about employer incentives and subsidies for apprenticeships and traineeships Skilling Queenslanders for Work on the Business Queensland website.

Skilling Queenslanders for Work

Incentives are available for employers who recruit Queensland job seekers who have taken part in a Skilling Queenslanders for Work training project.

Find out more about the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program on the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training website.

Employer subsidies (Australian Government)

Wage subsidies

Wage subsidies up to $10,000 may be available to businesses that hire eligible individuals into ongoing jobs.
Workforce Australia Employment Service Providers can assist with advising on wage subsidy eligibility and how to apply for them.

Find out more about wage subsidies on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.

Australian Apprenticeships Employer Incentives

Australian Apprenticeships Incentives System provides a range of incentives for employers engaging eligible apprentices or trainees.
Most incentives are linked to occupations included on the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List.
Employers engaging an apprentice or trainee in an occupation not included on the Apprenticeship Priority List, may be eligible for a $3,500 Hiring Incentive.
Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support may be payable to an employer who employs an apprentice that satisfies the disability eligibility criteria.

Find out more about the Australian Apprenticeships Employer Incentives on the Australian Apprenticeships website.

All programs have eligibility and incentive criteria requirements. Please contact the relevant agencies to discuss your specific business needs. For more information, please contactTLI Connect on 07 3066 0785 or email tli.connect@tmr.qld.gov.au.

Last updated 21 July 2023