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Queensland · fees and subsidies

What will I actually pay?

The same course can cost $0 or thousands depending on who you are before which provider you pick. Answer a few questions and we match you against the Queensland funding programs below, then show what providers actually published for the matching price type.

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This is general information about Queensland Government and industry training subsidies, drawn from the public pages cited. It is not advice, it is not an eligibility decision, and it cannot see your circumstances. Eligibility is decided by the training provider and the funding body when you enrol. Fees shown are what providers published on the dates shown.

The programs, as published

Every rule below was read on the page linked, on the date shown. Rules change; the source is one click away.

Fee-Free TAFE (Queensland) Criteria plus conditions

The Australian and Queensland Governments cover tuition for one priority qualification or skill set at TAFE Queensland or CQUniversity. You may still pay for uniforms and resources.

You must

  • You must permanently live in Queensland.
  • Australian or New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident (including humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency.
  • Aged 15 or older and no longer at school.
  • Not currently enrolled in a qualification (foundation skills training excepted).
  • You can complete only one qualification under Fee-Free TAFE or Free Nursing (exception: Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care completed under Fee-Free TAFE still allows the Diploma).
  • The course must be on the Fee-Free TAFE qualification list (Queensland Skills Gateway).

Conditions the program adds

  • Only courses on the current Fee-Free TAFE list qualify, and the list changes.
  • Student numbers are capped for some qualifications.
  • Only TAFE Queensland and CQUniversity deliver it.
  • Some qualifications carry extra industry prerequisites.
  • Prior qualifications completed under other programs do not disqualify you.
  • Extended until 31 December 2026; if you start under Fee-Free TAFE you keep it until you complete.

Source: Fee-Free TAFE, Queensland Government, checked 2026-08-27. Course list: Queensland Skills Gateway.

Career Start (Certificate 3 Guarantee) Hard criteria

The Queensland Government subsidises your first post-school Certificate III. You pay a co-contribution fee set by the provider; concession students pay a lower co-contribution.

You must

  • Aged 15 or older.
  • Completed or left secondary school (VET in Schools students are handled separately).
  • Residing permanently in Queensland.
  • Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or (per the Department fact sheet) a temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency.
  • Not enrolled in another qualification, even if on hold or deferred (foundation skills excepted).
  • Not already holding 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.
  • Concession: A lower co-contribution applies if at the start of training you hold a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card (or are the named partner or dependant of a holder), provide official documentation confirming concession eligibility, or identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Conditions the program adds

  • The co-contribution amount is set per course by each provider.
  • Higher subsidies apply in skills-shortage areas.
  • Renamed Career Start by TAFE Queensland; the Department page still titles it Certificate 3 Guarantee.
  • The Department page (dtet.qld.gov.au/training/employers/funding/certificate3) returned HTTP 403 to automated checks on 2026-08-27; criteria above are from the TAFE Queensland program page plus the Department fact sheet text quoted in search results. Re-verify against the Department page before relying on the temporary-resident and VET-in-Schools wording.

Source: Career Start, TAFE Queensland, checked 2026-08-27 (official page not reachable that day; see note).

Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s Criteria plus conditions

The Queensland Government pays the training fees for apprentices and trainees under 25 in one of more than 130 priority apprenticeship and traineeship qualifications.

You must

  • Currently employed as a Queensland apprentice or trainee under a training contract.
  • Aged under 25 when you commence (funding continues after you turn 25).
  • Employed in Queensland.

Conditions the program adds

  • The qualification must be on the priority apprenticeship and traineeship list (Queensland Subsidised Training List).
  • Your training provider must be a Skills Assure Supplier.
  • Applies to apprenticeships or traineeships commenced between 1 January 2021 and 30 June 2027; funding continues until completion even after 30 June 2027.
  • Related costs (uniforms, resources, travel) are not covered; a travel and accommodation subsidy exists for 100km+ return trips.

Source: Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s, Queensland Government, checked 2026-08-27. Course list: Queensland Skills Gateway.

Free Construction Apprenticeships for Over 25s Criteria plus conditions

Training fees covered for adults 25 and over starting an eligible construction apprenticeship with TAFE Queensland or CQUniversity.

You must

  • Currently employed as a Queensland apprentice under a training contract in an eligible construction-related apprenticeship.
  • Aged 25 or older when you commence.
  • Employed in Queensland.

Conditions the program adds

  • Only the listed construction apprenticeships qualify (includes Certificate III in Carpentry, Electrotechnology Electrician, Plumbing, Bricklaying, Painting and others).
  • Only TAFE Queensland and CQUniversity deliver it.
  • Applies to apprenticeships commenced between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2027; funding continues until completion.

Source: Free Construction Apprenticeships for Over 25s, Queensland Government, checked 2026-08-27.

Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) funded training Criteria plus conditions

Industry-funded subsidies for people working in Queensland building and construction: short courses, licences, units and full qualifications, with a set co-contribution per unit paid before training.

You must

  • Working in the Queensland building and construction industry (including civil), or unemployed for less than 6 months after working in it.
  • Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or holder of a CSQ-approved visa.

Conditions the program adds

  • Funding is limited and subject to availability each program year (1 October to 30 September).
  • Co-contribution amounts and course caps are set per program and per provider.
  • Eligible roles are hands-on construction roles, not office-based.
  • CSQ program pages (csq.org.au/training/...) returned 404 on 2026-08-27; the homepage and TAFE Queensland's CSQ page were readable. Co-contribution figures quoted by third-party providers ($0 to $700 per unit, maximum 8 short courses per funding year) are unverified against CSQ itself.

Source: Construction Skills Queensland funding, TAFE Queensland, checked 2026-08-27 (official page not reachable that day; see note).

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