Career Start is a Queensland Government’s training initiative that replaces the Certificate III Guarantee (effective 1 July 2025). Career Start provides eligible Queenslanders with government-subsidised training to help them begin a Certificate III qualification, and potentially an apprenticeship or traineeship, selected from priority or emerging industries.

Career Start delivers entry-level training aligned with industry needs, including Certificate III qualifications, apprenticeships, traineeships, and foundational skills such as literacy, numeracy, digital literacy and employability. 

The program supports two main pathways:

– General Training Pathway: Direct enrolment into a Certificate III or lower-level qualification (plus possibly an introductory skill set).

Apprenticeship/Traineeship Pathway: Employer-linked apprenticeship or traineeship under the Australian Apprenticeship system.

The courses that are included in the Career Start program are:

• Certificate I in Construction
• Certificate I in Conservation and Ecosystem Management
• Certificate II in Resources and Infrastructure Work Preparation
• Certificate II in Rural Operations
• Certificate II in Agriculture
• Certificate II in Conservation and Ecosystem Management
• Certificate III in Agriculture
• Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management
• Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management
• Certificate III in Rural Operations
• Certificate III in Steelfixing

While the Queensland Government subsidises most of the training cost through Career Start, all students are required to make a small co-contribution fee.

This fee reflects the personal benefit you’ll gain from your qualification and helps keep the program fair and sustainable.

At Civil Safety, the co-contribution fees are:

• Concessional Students – $30.00

• Non-Concessional Students – $50.00

These are set at affordable levels to ensure training remains accessible for everyone.

Please contact Civil Safety to check if you are eligible or complete our eligibility enquiry form – click here.

You’ll be enrolled in a qualification that’s recognised as a priority or emerging industry area. Because the training is competency-based, some students may complete their qualification faster than others. The opportunities available to you after finishing will depend on the course you choose and the skills you’ve gained.

To qualify for Career Start funding (general pathway), you must:

• • Be 15 years or older and no longer at school

  • Permanently reside in Queensland

  • Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident (including humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with an eligible visa toward permanent residency

  • Not already hold a Certificate III or higher qualification completed in the last 10 years – (qualifications obtained while at school or foundation skills qualifications do not count)

  • Not be enrolled in any other qualification (even if on hold or deferred), excluding foundation skills

With Career Start, you can get funded training up to two times.

You can choose one of these pathways:

• Pathway 1: Complete one Certificate III qualification through the general Career Start pathway plus one apprenticeship or traineeship.

• Pathway 2: Complete two apprenticeships or traineeships at Certificate II or III level (including school-based options).

On top of this, you may also be able to complete one introductory skill set with Career Start.

Keep in mind:

• If you complete an apprenticeship or traineeship first, you won’t be able to use Career Start later for a general Certificate III.

• Once you’ve used your two Career Start training places, you’re no longer eligible for further Career Start funding.

For further information please visit https://www.qld.gov.au/education/training/funded/career-start

For further information please complete our funding eligibility form or contact us at info@civilsafety.edu.au.