From 1 July 2025, the Queensland Government’s User Choice funding program has been replaced by the Career Start program, which continues to support subsidised training for apprentices and trainees under the Australian Apprenticeships system.

This means if you or your staff are undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship in Queensland, you may still be eligible for significant government funding to cover the cost of training – now provided under the Career Start Apprenticeship/traineeship pathway.

Career Start Apprenticeship/traineeship pathway funding is available for:

AHC31024 – Certificate III in Parks and Gardens

How it works

The Career Start Apprenticeship/traineeship pathway provides funding for nationally recognised qualifications delivered through a formal training contract between an employer, apprentice or trainee, and LT Training as the approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

The program is part of the Australian Apprenticeships system and aims to:

  • Help employers build the skills of their workforce
  • Support new entrants to learn on the job
  • Ensure apprentices and trainees gain qualifications aligned to industry needs.

Under this program, individuals may complete up to two funded apprenticeships or traineeships across all Queensland government programs in their lifetime, including school-based arrangements.

For apprentices in Certificate III in Parks and Gardens in the industry, please contact us for detailded information on the course.

Who is eligible for Career Start Apprenticeship & Traineeship funding?

To access subsidised training under this pathway, you must:

  • Be employed as an apprentice or trainee in a qualification funded by the Queensland Government
  • If you are from overseas, hold a visa allowing you to work in Australia
  • Not have already completed two apprenticeships or traineeships within the last 10 years.

School students can only access this funding through a registered School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SAT).

What about school students?

School students undertaking a registered School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SAT) do not pay the standard co-contribution fee. Their training continues to be fully subsidised by the Queensland Government, meaning there is no cost to them for the nominal hour per unit component.

LT Training reserves the right to negotiate contribution fees based on location-specific circumstances. See fees here.

Costs & co-contribution fees

The Queensland Government heavily subsidises training under this pathway. However, a small student co-contribution fee is still required for most apprentices and trainees. This is set at:

  • $1.60 per nominal training hour

For eligible apprentices and trainees, this fee may be reduced to 40% of the standard rate if they:

  • Are under 17 years of age at the end of February in the year training is provided and not at school
  • Hold a Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card or Veteran Card (or are a partner or dependent named on the card)
  • Or identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Employers may choose to pay this fee on behalf of their apprentice or trainee, but they are not required to do so.

LT Training reserves the right to negotiate contribution fees based on location-specific circumstances. See fees here.

What employers need to know about Career Start Apprenticeship & Traineeship funding

As an employer, you’ll benefit from staff gaining nationally recognised skills, often with most of the training costs covered by the government. You’ll need to:

  • Provide or arrange appropriate on-the-job training and supervision
  • Ensure the apprentice or trainee works across a suitable range of tasks
  • Work with us to develop a tailored Training Plan.

We’ll also complete an Employer Resource Assessment to confirm your business can support the apprentice or trainee to successfully complete their qualification.

Why train with us?

LT Training is an approved Skills Assure Supplier (SAS) under the Queensland Government’s Career Start program. That means:

  • We meet strict quality standards
  • Our qualifications are fully subsidised under the program (apart from the small student co-contribution)
  • We provide flexible training options and personalised support

We’ll guide you through the process from signing the training contract to achieving the final qualification.

Ready to get started?

Contact us today to discuss your apprenticeship or traineeship needs. We’ll help you navigate eligibility, funding, and put the right training program in place for your business or career.