Funding Guidelines

Career Start is one of the Queensland Government’s core funded vocational education and training (VET) programs, managed by the Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET).

The core VET programs provide subsidised training opportunities for Queenslanders aligned to the priorities set out in the DTET Training Priorities Plan.

Career Start supports Queensland job seekers to start their career, or move into more skilled roles or full-time employment.

The Queensland government, through the Career Ready program, provides a contribution towards the cost of training and assessment for eligible Queensland apprentices.

Apprentices are required to pay a co-contribution fee for the cost of their training and assessment. In some cases, partial or full fee exemptions may apply.

You’ll never be asked to pay more than 30% of the total co-contribution fee at any stage. Co-contribution fees are paid throughout the life cycle of your apprenticeship as you enter each stage of training.

To view the current fee schedule for our funded qualifications, CLICK HERE. Please be aware that total co-contribution fees will differ depending on the units of competency selected.

Blue Dog Training has been approved by the Department to deliver the following government funded qualifications under the Career Start program:

Carpentry Apprenticeships

Engineering Apprenticeships

Engineering Traineeships

To qualify for the Career Start program, you must meet all eligibility requirements.

Concessional student status for apprenticeships applies when the student falls into one of the following categories.

All listed and eligible qualifications (except where specified) have access to the free apprenticeships for under 25s initiative. Fee-free training means you do not have to pay co-contribution fees.

You must NOT:

• Be a school student.
• Be currently enrolled in a qualification funded by the Department, even if it is on hold or deferred.
• Within the 10 years immediately preceding the proposed enrolment:
  • Have completed two Department funded apprenticeships/traineeships not including a funded SQW program.
  • Have completed a Department funded general training pathway qualification and a Department funded apprenticeship/traineeship.

You'll continue to receive funding until you complete your apprenticeship, even if you're over 25 or you complete after 30 June 2027.

More information can be found HERE.

School Based apprenticeships and traineeships allow secondary school students (usually in Years 10, 11 and 12) to prepare for life after school, in a career of their choice, learning invaluable real-life workplace skills and hands on industry experience, earn a wage and train towards a nationally recognised Qualification.

For an apprenticeship or traineeship to be ‘School Based’ (versus part-time), work and/or training hours must impact on the student's school timetable. This means that students must either work during school hours or attend training during school hours.

To be Eligible, you must:

• Be currently employed as a Queensland apprentice or trainee (under a registered training contract) in a funded qualification listed under the "Qualifications Available" tab.
• Be enrolled in Year 10, 11, or 12 in a Queensland School.

You must NOT:

• Be currently enrolled in a qualification funded by the Department, even if it is on hold or deferred.
•  Within the 10 years immediately preceding the proposed enrolment:
  • Have completed a Department funded apprenticeship/traineeship, including School Based apprenticeships/traineeships.

Career Boost helps Queenslanders to level-up at work, enabling them to grow and apply their skills to existing or new roles, and 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.

The Queensland government, through the Career Boost program, provides a contribution towards the cost of training and assessment for eligible Queensland apprentices.

Students accessing the Career Boost program funding are usually required to pay a co-contribution fee for the cost of their training and assessment. In some cases, partial or full fee exemptions may apply.

You’ll never be asked to pay more than 30% of the total co-contribution fee at any stage. Co-contribution fees are paid throughout the life cycle of your apprenticeship as you enter each stage of training.

To view the current fee schedule for our funded qualifications, please CLICK HERE. Please be aware that total co-contribution fees will differ depending on the units of competency selected.

Blue Dog Training has been approved by the Department to deliver the following government funded qualifications under the Career Boost program:

General Training

Apprenticeship

To qualify for the Career Boost program, you must meet all eligibility requirements.

Concessional student status for the general training pathway applies when the student falls into one of the following categories:

All listed and eligible qualifications (except where specified) have access to the free apprenticeships for under 25s initiative. Fee-free training means you do not have to pay co-contribution fees.

You'll continue to receive funding until you complete your apprenticeship, even if you're over 25 or you complete after 30 June 2027.

More information can be found HERE.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Schools supports secondary school students in Year 10, 11 or 12 to undertake VET qualifications funded by the Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET) while they are still at school.

VETiS covers training fees for VET courses that are aligned to jobs and skills in demand, putting secondary school students on a path to employment and further VET opportunities.

School students do not have to pay any student or co-contribution fees for the funded VETiS program. The Queensland Government covers the cost so students can do the training for free.

Blue Dog Training has been approved by the Department to deliver the following government funded qualifications under the VET in Schools program:

*Not currently being offered for new enrolments

To be eligible for the VET in Schools Program, you must meet all eligibility requirements.

VET in Schools Eligibility Criteria

• be first enrolled under the VET in Schools 2026 Program on or after 1 January 2026
• be enrolled in a Queensland school in Years 10, 11 or 12
• not be an international secondary exchange student in Queensland
• not be enrolled in a Qualification funded by the Department including a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship
• not have previously completed a Qualification funded by the Department under VETiS or a similar program by whatever name
• have a genuine interest in pursuing a post-school vocational occupation

Government Funding Rules

This funding is for school students to complete only one approved VET in Schools qualification while at school. Therefore, it is very important that students take the time to consider their training options before committing to a course of study which will use up their one subsidised VETiS training entitlement.

A carer/parent/guardian must acknowledge the use of this funding entitlement at the point of enrolment.

Students who complete a funded VET in Schools qualification at school are still eligible to access further Queensland Government subsidised training post-school, such as in a carpentry or engineering apprenticeship through the Career Start Program.

Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) Initiative

CSQ is an independent, not-for-profit, industry-funded body supporting employers, workers, apprentices, trainees and career seekers in the building and construction industry.

Blue Dog Training has been approved by CSQ to deliver the following funded qualifications under the Higher Qualifications Building program:

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Higher Qualifications Building Program, you must meet all eligibility requirements and meet certain funding rules. Please refer to this Eligibility Checklist for all relevant information.

Please be aware that funding eligibility is subject to change each contract cycle, typically every 18-24 months for this program. Access to CSQ funding into this program cycle does not guarantee access in later CSQ funded program cycles.

Student Co-Contribution Fees

A co-contribution fee is the fee that is required to be paid by the participant or employer. The value of the co-contribution fee payable for the listed course/s is available on the relevant course page.

Blue Dog Training has been approved by CSQ to deliver the following funded qualifications under the Higher Qualifications Building program:

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Skill Sets Program, you must meet all eligibility requirements and meet certain funding rules. Please refer to this Eligibility Checklist for all relevant information.

Please be aware that funding eligibility is subject to change each contract cycle, typically every 18-24 months for this program. Access to CSQ funding into this program cycle does not guarantee access in later CSQ funded program cycles.

Student Co-Contribution Fees

A co-contribution fee is the fee that is required to be paid by the participant or employer. The value of the co-contribution fee payable for the listed course/s is available on the relevant course page. 

Blue Dog Training has been approved by CSQ to deliver the following funded courses under the Short Courses Building program:

*Only available to participants in the Greater Brisbane region.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Short Courses Building Program, you must meet all eligibility requirements and meet certain funding rules. Please refer to this Eligibility Checklist for all relevant information.

Please be aware that funding eligibility is subject to change each contract cycle, typically every 12 months for this program. Access to CSQ funding into this program cycle does not guarantee access in later CSQ funded program cycles.

Student Co-Contribution Fees

A co-contribution fee is the fee that is required to be paid by the participant or employer. There is no co-contribution fee payable for these course/s, however Blue Dog Training requires an upfront $50 administration fee payment for the listed course/s to cover enrolment related costs.