Employer Information

Key Government & Industry-Backed Funding Programs

Career Start (QLD)

• Career Start replaced the previous Certificate 3 Guarantee and “User Choice” schemes from July 1 2025.

• What it offers: subsidised Certificate III qualifications (and some lower-level entry qualifications), plus apprenticeships and traineeships in priority and emerging industries.

• For employers and industry: Training investment is targeted based on evidence – including skills needs, supply/demand, provider performance and job outcomes. This helps ensure trainees have skills aligned to employer needs. 

• By engaging with Career Start, your business can help shape future training supply and secure access to well-trained, job-ready workers.

Career Boost (QLD)

• Career Boost replaced the previous Higher Level Skills program from 1 July 2025. 

• It provides subsidised training for higher-level qualifications (Certificate IV, diploma and above) – useful if you’re looking to upskill existing staff or foster career progression internally.

• For employers, this means you can invest in upskilling your workforce – enabling better retention, advancing staff capabilities, and supporting succession planning.

Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW)

• SQW supports disadvantaged Queenslanders – including youth, mature-age job seekers, people with disability, ex-service personnel, and more – to gain skills and qualifications.

• Employers can benefit by recruiting from a pool of motivated job seekers who have recently completed skills training or are engaged in traineeship-based programs.

• Under SQW’s “First Start” stream, employers or community-organisations can access wage subsidies when they take on eligible trainees – helping offset employment costs while building new skills for the workforce. 

Back to Work Employer Incentives

• Back to Work incentivises employers who hire eligible unemployed Queenslanders – offering payments of up to $15,000 (and in some cases up to $20,000 for younger candidates) when they take on eligible job-seekers.

• This reduces the cost and risk of recruiting – especially for employers looking to grow or restructure their teams.

• Combining Back to Work with traineeship or apprenticeship programs can provide a powerful boost: financial support for hiring, plus subsidised training via other programs like Career Start, SQW or Apprenticeship/Traineeship funding.

Apprenticeship & Traineeship Funding & Incentives (State & Commonwealth)

• Through the general Apprenticeship and Traineeship funding framework, the Queensland Government subsidises course/training costs for eligible apprentices and trainees undertaking priority qualifications.

• Employers may be eligible for additional support beyond training subsidies, including:

  • One-off incentive payments for hiring apprentices/trainees

  • Workers’ compensation premium discounts for apprentices (not trainees)

  • Potential payroll tax rebates (subject to eligibility and time frames) for wages paid to apprentices/trainees.

• For employers in the building, construction or trades sectors, you may also access industry-specific support via Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ), especially for courses relevant to construction and related trades. 

Construction Training Fund (CTF – WA) – for Employers Hiring in WA

If your operations or clients extend to Western Australia, the Construction Training Fund (CTF) offers substantial support for employers in the construction industry.

• Employer Grant: Businesses that employ a construction apprentice or trainee may be eligible for up to A $36,500 over the full apprenticeship/traineeship term.

• Grant amounts depend on apprenticeship duration:

  • 12-month: A $6,250 base grant

  • 18- or 24-month: A $12,500 base grant

  • 36- to 48-month: A $15,000 base grant

• Bonuses / Loading Payments: Additional payments are available for employing apprentices/trainees who: have completed a recognised pre-apprenticeship, are regional, female, Indigenous, or are mature-aged – which can raise the total grant (in some cases up to the A $36,500 maximum).

• Coverage: The grant applies across most construction industry trades (various CPC trades, and some RII, UEE/UET, MEM/Furnishing, etc.), provided the trade is recognised under CTF’s eligibility guidelines and the training contract is active. 

• Small Business & Sole Trader Friendly: There’s no mandatory business-size requirement – sole traders, small businesses or large firms can all be eligible.

• Other Support Services: CTF also supports short-course and up-skilling funding, tool-allowance reimbursements for apprentices, and industry-wide safety or well-being training (e.g. in partnership with mental-health initiatives or construction-specific courses).

Note: If you hire an apprentice/trainee under CTF, you may not be eligible for certain other WA incentives under Jobs and Skills WA (JSWA) for the same person – so it’s important to declare CTF participation when lodging training contracts.

How to Engage – Next Steps for Employers

1. Assess your workforce and hiring needs: are you expanding, facing skills shortages, or looking to upskill existing staff?

2. Explore which program(s) best match your needs:

   • Entry-level recruitment → Career Start, SQW, Back to Work + apprenticeship/traineeship incentives.

   • Upskilling existing staff → Career Boost or higher-level apprenticeships/traineeships.

3. Choose an approved training provider: for subsidised programs, training must be delivered by a government-approved provider (e.g., those listed as “Skills Assure Suppliers”).

4. Check eligibility criteria carefully (for both employer and employee/trainee), including residency, prior qualifications, employment status, training contract requirements, etc.

5. Consider stacking supports: e.g., recruit via Back to Work plus SQW or career-path funded traineeships – which can significantly reduce your net cost while building productivity and retention.

Why Choose Civil Safety

Choosing the right training partner makes a significant difference to how effectively your business can access funded training, attract new workers and upskill your existing team. Civil Safety supports employers every step of the way by offering:

✔ Expert guidance on funding and incentives
We help you understand which government or industry-backed programs your business may be eligible for – including apprenticeships, traineeships, and upskilling incentives – so you can make informed decisions and reduce training costs.

✔ Support with navigating requirements and paperwork
Funding programs can be complex. Our team makes the process easier by providing clear guidance on eligibility, documentation, and how to get your staff enrolled quickly and correctly.

✔ Industry-aligned training across QLD and WA
With experience delivering training in both Queensland and Western Australia, we understand the differences between state funding programs and requirements. This ensures your workforce gets the right training, aligned with regional industry needs and compliance standards.

✔ Lower hiring and training costs for your business
By helping you access available grants, subsidies and incentives, we make it easier and more affordable for you to bring on new staff, support apprentices, or upskill your current workforce.

✔ A trusted partner focused on building your workforce
We work alongside employers — not just as a training provider, but as a partner committed to helping you attract, train, and retain skilled workers who contribute to your long-term business success.

Speak with Our Team

If you’re unsure which funding programs apply to your business or want support getting started, our team is here to help.

Contact Civil Safety:
📞 1300 CIVIL S
📧 info@civilsafety.edu.au
📍 Serving employers across Queensland and Western Australia

Whether you need guidance on incentives, help enrolling staff, or advice on building a skilled workforce, we’re ready to support you.