Funding Guidelines
Queensland Government Funded Training Programs
Blue Dog Training is approved by the Queensland Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET) to deliver government funded qualifications under both the Career Start and Career Boost Programs. These initiatives sit within the Skills Assure Queensland VET Investment Program and support eligible Queenslanders to begin or advance their careers through subsidised training.
The Career Boost Program provides funding for upskilling and higher level qualifications, helping workers move into more advanced trade and technical roles.
The Career Start Program supports new entrants with foundation and entry level training that builds strong job readiness and clear pathways into the workforce.
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.
Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) Initiative is an independent, not-for-profit, industry-funded body supporting employers, workers, apprentices, trainees and career seekers in the building and construction industry.
Career Start Program
Overview
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.
Student Co-Contribution Fees
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.
Qualifications Available
Blue Dog Training has been approved by the Department to deliver the following government funded qualifications under the Career Start program:
Carpentry Apprenticeships
| CPC30220 | Certificate III in Carpentry |
Engineering Apprenticeships
| MEM30219 | Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade (see specialisations below) |
| MEM30219 | Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade (Fitting) |
| MEM30219 | Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade (Maintenance - Fitting/Machining) |
| MEM31419 | Certificate III in Engineering Fixed and Mobile Plant Mechanic (Diesel Fitter/Mechanic) |
| MEM31922 | Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade (see specialisations below) |
| MEM31922 | Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade (Boilermaking) |
| MEM31922 | Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade (Boilermaking/Welding) |
| MEM31922 | Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade (Sheetmetal Working) |
| MEM31922 | Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade (Welding) |
The MEM31922 qualification was recently superseded by the nationally equivalent MEM31925 version. If we accept your enrolment application for the MEM31922 version, you’ll be notified prior to automatically transitioning into MEM31925 version before 2 September, 2026. There will be no changes to your training or assessment. For more information regarding transitions, please refer to our Student Handbook.
Engineering Traineeships
| MEM20105 | Certificate II in Engineering |
Approved Delivery Locations
- Brisbane (includes East, Inner City, North, South, and West)
- Cairns
- Central Queensland
- Darling Downs - Maranoa
- Gold Coast
- Ipswich
- Logan - Beaudesert
- Mackay - Isaac - Whitsunday
- Moreton Bay - North
- Moreton Bay - South
- Queensland - Outback
- Sunshine Coast
- Toowoomba
- Townsville
- Wide Bay
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Career Start program, you must meet all eligibility requirements.
- Currently employed as a Queensland apprentice (under a registered training contract) for this qualification.
- Be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident (includes humanitarian entrant), temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency, or a New Zealand citizen.
- Not currently be enrolled in a qualification.
- Not be a school student.
- Not exceed a maximum of two government-funded apprenticeships/traineeships within a 10-year period.
Determining Concessional Status
Concessional student status for apprenticeships applies when the student falls into one of the following categories.
- Was or will be under 17 years of age at the end of February in the year in which the SAS provides training, and is not at school and has not completed year 12;
- Holds a Health Care, Veteran or Pensioner Concession Card issued under Commonwealth law, or is the partner or a dependant of a person who holds such a card and is named on the card;
- Holds an official form issued under Commonwealth law confirming that the individual, their partner or the person of whom they are a dependant, is entitled to concessions under a Health Care, Veteran or Pensioner Concession Card;
- Identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s Initiative
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.
- Be aged under 25 years prior to entering into a training contract (commencing or recommencing) for an approved qualification.
- Are currently employed as a Queensland apprentice (under a registered training contract) in an eligible apprenticeship qualification through this Program.
- Be no longer enrolled at school.
- Commence or recommence this apprenticeship between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2027.
- Not currently be enrolled in a qualification.
- Not exceed a maximum of two government-funded apprenticeships or traineeships within a 10-year period.
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.
Career Boost Program
Overview
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.
Student Co-Contribution Fees
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.
Qualifications Available
Approved Delivery Locations
- Brisbane (includes East, Inner City, North, South, and West)
- Cairns
- Central Queensland
- Darling Downs - Maranoa
- Gold Coast
- Ipswich
- Logan - Beaudesert
- Mackay - Isaac - Whitsunday
- Moreton Bay - North
- Moreton Bay - South
- Queensland - Outback
- Sunshine Coast
- Toowoomba
- Townsville
- Wide Bay
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Career Boost program, you must meet all eligibility requirements.
General Training
- Aged 15 years or older.
- Not be a school student.
- Be a permanent Queensland resident.
- Be an Australian citizen, or 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 already have a Certificate IV or higher qualification (including tertiary qualification) completed within the last 10 years (qualifications started as a school student, and foundation skills qualifications, do not count).
- Not be enrolled in any other qualification, whether funded or unfunded, except for foundation skills qualifications.
Apprenticeship
- Are currently employed as a Queensland apprentice (under a registered training contract) in an eligible apprenticeship or traineeship qualification through this Program.
- Not be a school student.
- Not currently be enrolled in any other qualification, whether funded or unfunded, except for foundation skills qualifications.
- Not already have a Certificate IV or higher qualification (including tertiary qualification) completed within the last 10 years (qualifications completed as a school student, and foundation skills qualifications, do not count).
- Not exceed a maximum of two government-funded apprenticeships/traineeships within a 10-year period.
Determining Concessional Status
Concessional student status for the general training pathway applies when the student falls into one of the following categories:
General Training
- Holds a Health Care, Veteran or Pensioner Concession Card issued under Commonwealth law, or is the partner or a dependant of a person who holds such a card and is named on the card;
- Holds an official form issued under Commonwealth law confirming that they, their partner, or the person of whom they are a dependant is entitled to concessions under a Health Care, Veteran or Pensioner Concession Card;
- Identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander;
- Has a disability;
- Is an adult prisoner.
Apprenticeship
- Was or will be under 17 years of age at the end of February in the year in which the SAS provides training, and is not at school and has not completed year 12;
- Holds a Health Care, Veteran or Pensioner Concession Card issued under Commonwealth law, or is the partner or a dependant of a person who holds such a card and is named on the card;
- Holds an official form issued under Commonwealth law confirming that the individual, their partner or the person of whom they are a dependant, is entitled to concessions under a Health Care, Veteran or Pensioner Concession Card;
- Identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s Initiative
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.
- Be aged under 25 years prior to entering into a training contract (commencing or recommencing) for an approved qualification.
- Are currently employed as a Queensland apprentice (under a registered training contract) in an eligible apprenticeship qualification through this Program.
- Be no longer enrolled at school.
- Commence or recommence this apprenticeship between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2027.
- Not currently be enrolled in a qualification.
- Not exceed a maximum of two government-funded apprenticeships or traineeships within a 10-year period.
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.
VET in Schools Program
Overview
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.
Student Co-Contribution Fees
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.
Qualifications Available
Blue Dog Training has been approved by the Department to deliver the following government funded qualifications under the VET in Schools program:
| CPC10120 | Certificate I in Construction* |
| CPC20220 |
Certificate II in Construction Pathways |
| MEM20422 | MEM20422 Certificate II in Engineering Pathways |
*Not currently being offered for new enrolments
Approved Delivery Locations
Approved Delivery Locations
Blue Dog Training is approved to offer delivery of this funded program to the following Local Government Areas for all listed funded VET in Schools qualifications:
- South East/South West Queensland
- Brisbane
- Gold Coast
- Logan
- Redland
- Ipswich
- Scenic Rim
- Lockyer Valley
- Toowoomba
- Goondiwindi
- Moreton Bay
- Sunshine Coast
- Noosa
- Wide Bay–Burnett
- Gympie
- Fraser Coast
- South Burnett
- North Burnett
- Bundaberg
- Central Queensland
- Gladstone
- Rockhampton
- Livingstone
- Banana
- Central Highlands
- Isaac
- Whitsunday
- Mackay
- Western Queensland
- Barcaldine
- Longreach
- Maranoa
- Balonne
- Western Downs
- Southern Downs
- Murweh
- Paroo
- North Queensland
- Charters Towers
- Flinders
- Richmond
- Townsville
- Burdekin
- Hinchinbrook
- Cassowary Coast
- Far North/North West Queensland
- Cairns
- Douglas
- Mareeba
- Tablelands
- Cook
- Mount Isa
- Mornington
Eligibility Criteria
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 Initiative
Overview
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.
Higher Qualifications
Blue Dog Training has been approved by CSQ to deliver the following funded qualifications under the Higher Qualifications Building program:
| CPC40120 | Certificate IV in Building and Construction |
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 $500. Collection of the co-contribution fee is mandatory.
Skills Sets
Blue Dog Training has been approved by CSQ to deliver the following funded qualifications under the Higher Qualifications Building program:
| QLDSCSQ01 | Queensland Builder – Low Rise Site Supervisor |
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 $250. Collection of the co-contribution fee is mandatory.
Short Courses
Blue Dog Training has been approved by CSQ to deliver the following funded courses under the Short Courses Building program:
| BSBESB402 | Establish legal and risk management requirements of new business ventures (QBCC Approved Managerial Course) |
| CPCCWHS2001 | Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry* |
*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.
Student Support Services
Blue Dog Training provides a range of support services to help you complete your apprenticeship.
For more details about our support services, and other important information, please refer to the following, which can also be accessed in the footer of our website: