Program Changes

From 1 July 2025, the Certificate III Guarantee (C3G) has been replaced by the Career Start Program 2025-28 through the new Skills Assure Supplier framework.

Please refer to the Continuing Students policy for instructions.

Overview

Strategix Training Group is an approved Skills Assure Supplier, this means you may be able to access funding while studying with us.

In this document, you will find all the relevant information on the Career Start Program funding and how it relates to eligible students. If you choose to enrol and apply for funding, you will receive both a tentative enrolment email and a confirmation of enrolment which will provide you with the specific times, locations, and requirements for your enrolment.

What is Career Start?

Career Start is a funding program managed by the Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET). It supports the delivery of entry-level training to students, apprentices, and trainees, aligned with the skills outcomes required by industry.

Career Start offers either a general training pathway or an employment-based apprenticeship or traineeship pathway.

Under Career Start, you may access up to two subsidised training places through one of the following options:

• A general qualification at certificate III and an apprenticeship/traineeship (note: if the apprenticeship/traineeship is done first, you are no longer eligible to access a general qualification under Career Start; or

• Two apprenticeships/traineeships at either certificate II or III, including school-based apprenticeships or traineeships (SATs)

• Additionally, under Career Start, you can access one subsidised introductory-level skill set.

You cannot do two general pathway qualifications under Career Start.

You will receive and be required to complete a student training and employment survey from the Department of Small Business and Training within three months of completing or discontinuing the qualification.

For independent information please access the department's Career Start Program.

Foundation Skills

Career Start also offers foundation skills training for students who require support in Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND) skills. This training can be delivered as a single unit of competency or multiple units, either before or as part of the vocational qualification, depending on student needs.

Only Skills Assure Suppliers (SAS) approved by DTET to provide foundation skills, can deliver this training.

If a student requires foundation skills training, the SAS will:

• Develop a tailored Training and Support Plan including vocational qualification under the general training pathway, or incorporate the training into the existing Training Plan for an apprentice or trainee

• If a student is eligible for a Career Start Program and needs more intensive LLND assistance before enrolling, there are several Australian Government programs available, including Language and literacy classes, the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), and Skills for Education and Employment (SEE)

• DTET also offers Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW), which provides foundation skills and vocational training. Students requiring a full foundation skills qualification and wrap-around support may wish to consider participating in an SQW program.

Lower-Level Qualifications

Career Start also supports access to certain lower-level qualifications, including pre-apprenticeships, qualifications for SQW projects, qualifications for specific groups (e.g. adult prisoners or young people in detention), and qualifications defined by industry as the entry point for jobs in the sector (e.g. Certificate II in Maritime).

Funded lower-level qualifications are identified on the QSTL.

Where a student falls into one of these supported lower-level qualification categories, they may be eligible for a second subsidised training place in an aligned Certificate III qualification.

If a lower-level qualification delivered through local, community-based support would better suit a student’s needs, the student may wish to consider an SQW program.

Eligibility Requirements

General Training Pathway

To access a subsidised training place under Career Start, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Aged 15 years or older

• Not a school student

• Permanently reside in Queensland

• Be an Australian citizen, or an Australian permanent resident (includes humanitarian entrant), or a temporary resident with the right visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency, or a New Zealand citizen

• Not 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)

• Not enrolled in another qualification, even if it is on hold or deferred, whether funded by DTET or not (foundation skills qualifications do not count).

As well as the eligibility criteria above, specific entry restrictions or exemptions may apply to certain subsidised qualifications and skill sets. These are set by industry or sector requirements, as well as national training package guidelines.

Apprenticeship / Traineeship Pathway

For apprenticeships and traineeships, an individual must be employed as an apprentice or trainee. To be eligible to receive government-subsidised training, the apprentice or trainee must:

• Have entered into a Contract (training contract) for a qualification funded by DTET and registered on DTET’s training database

• If from overseas, have a visa allowing them to work in Australia

• Not already completed two apprenticeship/traineeship qualifications (including SATs) within the last 10 years.

School students can only access apprenticeships and traineeships through a registered SAT. This is to ensure a school student does not use their entire apprenticeship/traineeship entitlement while at school.

Eligibility Evidence

Fees and Charges

Co-Contribution Fees

General Pathway

Students enrolled in certificate III qualifications and skill sets, and non-concessional students in lower-level qualifications, are required to contribute to the cost of training through a co-contribution (student) fee. This fee can be paid by an employer/organisation, a family member, or a friend, but it cannot be paid or waived by Strategix or any person or entity connected to the Strategix.

The fee amount is a decision for Strategix. This fee must be published on the Strategix’s website and must represent the total costs to the student for the qualification, including materials costs.

The SAS cannot charge the student for creating a Training and Assessment Plan or Training Record, nor can the SAS charge students for additional materials once enrolment has occurred.

Apprenticeships & Traineeships Pathway

For apprenticeships and traineeships, the fee is different as both the employer and Strategix share responsibility for training. The fee is set at $1.60 per nominal training hour for each unit of competency and is the same across all SAS providers. Only DTET can adjust the fee amount, which is reviewed yearly.

An SAS must charge only 40% of the standard fee if an apprentice/trainee meets any of the following criteria:

• Under 17 years of age at the end of February in the year training is provided

• Is not at school and has not completed Year 12

• Holds a Health Care Card or Veteran or Pensioner Concession Card, or is the partner or dependent of someone who does

• Identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person (First Nations people).

If an apprentice/trainee is experiencing serious financial difficulties and can demonstrate this, they may qualify for a full fee exemption.

Eligible Career Start qualifications and introductory skill sets are listed on the Queensland Subsidised Training List (QSTL). Currently, DTET has released . The finalised list will also include any entry restrictions or exemptions based on requirements determined by industry and national training packages.