What is Career Start, and How Can You Use It?

A nationally recognised qualification can be more affordable than you think. Through Queensland’s Career Start program, eligible students can have a large portion of their training costs covered by the government. At EDB, that covers forklift licensing, hospitality skills, and a business qualification, depending on which Certificate III you study.

What is the Career Start program?

Career Start is a Queensland Government training subsidy administered by the Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET). It replaced the Certificate 3 Guarantee on 1 July 2025. The government pays a subsidy directly to the RTO, and you pay a reduced co-contribution.

Two pathways

• General training - no employer required, ideal for job seekers
• Traineeship - employer-based, under a formal training contract

Am I eligible?

• Aged 15 or over and no longer at school
• A permanent Queensland resident
• An Australian or New Zealand citizen, or an eligible visa holder
• Haven’t completed a Certificate III or higher in the last 10 years (school qualifications don’t count)
• Not currently enrolled in another DTET-funded qualification, including one that is on hold or deferred

Which qualifications does this fund at EDB?

Career Start funds three Certificate III qualifications at EDB, each with its own concession and non-concession co-contribution fee, and a traineeship option for most:

• Certificate III in Supply Chain Operations (TLI30325). Your forklift training (LF licence, and LO for order-picking forklifts) can be built directly into this qualification, so you come away with both the licence and a full qualification. See current Supply Chain pricing, or what a standalone forklift licence costs if you’re comparing the two paths.
• Certificate III in Hospitality (SIT30622). See current Hospitality pricing. If you only need RSA, RSG or a barista qualification rather than the full Certificate III, those are available separately and aren’t part of this funded pathway.
• Certificate III in Business (BSB30120). See current Business pricing.

Concession fees apply if you hold a healthcare card, pension card, or are otherwise eligible. If you already hold a Certificate III in Supply Chain Operations and want to progress further, EDB also delivers the Certificate IV in Supply Chain Operations (TLI40324) under Career Boost, the Queensland Government’s program for higher-level qualifications. Holding a Certificate III doesn’t affect your Career Boost eligibility, but funding for this Certificate IV requires you to be an existing worker in the warehousing industry.

Eligibility and co-contribution amounts change from time to time, so the best next step is to contact our team, or check current funding pricing, to confirm your fee before you enrol.