​Looking to employ a trainee/apprentice?

First, you will need to determine the role that the apprentice or trainee will have within your

organisation, and have an idea of the type of training course you want them to undertake.

Then, contact your local Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) Provider, such

as MRAEL. The AASN will be able to provide you with all the information regarding the

training contract, incentives, obligations and responsibilities of all parties, and offer support

throughout the training contract. The AASN will also help you find a trainee or apprentice

that fits within your organisation. 

More information on the process of employing a trainee or apprentice can be found here.

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​Funding Availability 

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Career Start Funding

Career Start provides Queenslanders with skills and support to start their career.

The program provides training to help job seekers secure a job and supports those already employed to move into more skilled roles or full-time employment, including after completing an apprenticeship or traineeship.

From 1 July 2025, Career Start will provide eligible Queenslanders with:

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• access to certificate III qualifications in priority and emerging industries

• access to apprenticeship and traineeship training in priority and emerging industries

• access to lower-level qualifications identified by industry as the entry point for jobs

• expanded access to foundation skills such as language, literacy, numeracy, digital literacy and employability skills

• increased access to training in regional and remote areas

• supported training pathways for women and priority cohorts to take-up skilled careers.

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Career Start replaces funding previously available through the Certificate 3 Guarantee and User Choice programs.

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Apprenticeship or Traineeship Pathway

To be eligible to receive government subsidised training, the apprentice or trainee must:

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• have entered into a training contract for a qualification that is funded by the department and be registered on the department's systems

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

• not have already completed 2 apprenticeship/traineeship qualifications within the last 10 years. This includes school-based apprenticeships or traineeships.

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For more information visit: https://dtet.qld.gov.au/training/providers/funded/career-start

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Career Boost Funding

Career Boost will help Queenslanders to level-up at work, enabling them to grow their skills to existing or new roles, and to support productivity growth and workplace innovation.

The program delivers training to help individuals develop the higher-level skills needed to secure employment, advance their careers, or progress to further education and training.

Career Boost replaces funding previously available through the Higher-Level Skills and User Choice programs.

Apprenticeship or traineeship pathway eligibility

To receive government subsidised training, the apprentice or trainee must:

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• not be a school student

• be currently employed in Queensland under a registered training contract, in an approved apprenticeship or traineeship qualification funded through this program (this requirement does not apply to individuals enrolling in a skill set)

• not be enrolled in another qualification, whether funded or unfunded (foundation skills qualifications are the only exception)

• not have completed a Certificate IV or higher qualification, including university studies, in the past 10 years (qualifications completed at school, and foundation skills qualifications, don’t impact eligibility)

• not have completed more than 2 government-funded apprenticeships or traineeships within the last 10 years, including school-based apprenticeships or traineeships.

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For more information visit: https://dtet.qld.gov.au/training/providers/funded/career-boost

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​VET in Schools (VETiS)

Vocational education and training in Schools (VETiS) is funded by Queensland Government. It aligns school-based training with the needs of industry and creates career pathways for secondary students.

Queensland school students can undertake nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET) qualifications while they are still at school. These courses can be taken in Years 10, 11 and 12.

Students can undertake VETiS:

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• as part of their school studies – delivered and resourced by a school that is a registered training organisation (RTO)

• by enrolling with an external RTO – funded either by VETiS or through fee-for-service arrangements. This is where fees are paid by an individual such as a student or parent, or another entity like a community or industry group

• as a school-based apprentice or trainee – funded either by the Queensland Government or fee-for-service arrangements.

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For more information visit: https://dtet.qld.gov.au/training/providers/funded/vetis/vetis-overview​​

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