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You are here: Home › Our Courses › Career Start Program 2025 -2028
AIECS is a Skills Assure Supplier approved by the Queensland Government Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET) to deliver subsidised training to eligible Queenslanders under the Career Start Program.
Career Start provides eligible Queenslanders with access to subsidised entry-level training designed to support entry into the workforce, career progression and the development of skills in priority industries.
AIECS delivers the CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care under Career Start through two pathways:
The General Training Pathway is suitable for eligible students who wish to complete the CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care without entering into a registered traineeship.
Students study through AIECS's flexible blended delivery model and complete the workplace experience and practical assessment requirements of the qualification in an approved early childhood education and care service.
To access Career Start funding through the General Training Pathway, students must meet the applicable Queensland Government eligibility requirements, including requirements relating to residency, current enrolments and previous Queensland Government-funded training.
School students are not eligible for the Career Start General Training Pathway.
The Apprenticeship and Traineeship Pathway is available to eligible students undertaking the CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care as a registered trainee.
Under this pathway, training is employment-based and the trainee, employer and AIECS work together throughout the traineeship. A registered Training Contract must be in place and the trainee must meet the applicable Career Start funding requirements.
AIECS supports full-time, part-time and school-based traineeships.
School-based trainees undertake their qualification while completing secondary school and must meet the additional requirements that apply to School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SATs).
The Queensland Government contributes towards the cost of eligible training under Career Start, reducing the amount students are required to pay.
The amount of subsidised training an individual may access depends on their training pathway, previous qualifications, current enrolments and previous use of Queensland Government-funded training.
Before enrolment is confirmed, AIECS will assess each student's eligibility against the Career Start requirements that apply to their chosen pathway.
Previous training matters. Your previous participation in Queensland Government-funded training may affect your eligibility for Career Start. It is important to provide AIECS with complete and accurate information about your previous qualifications, current enrolments and government-funded training history.
Career Start eligibility requirements vary depending on the training pathway. AIECS will assess your eligibility before confirming your enrolment.
General Training Pathway
You may be eligible if you:
School students are not eligible for the Career Start General Training Pathway.
You must also meet requirements relating to current enrolments and previous Queensland Government-funded training.
Apprenticeship and Traineeship Pathway
To access Career Start through this pathway, you must be employed as an apprentice or trainee and have entered into a registered Training Contract for an eligible qualification.
Additional eligibility requirements apply, including requirements relating to previous subsidised apprenticeships and traineeships, current enrolments and, where applicable, visa and work rights.
School students may access this pathway through an eligible School-Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SAT).
Because eligibility requirements differ between pathways and may change, AIECS will complete an individual eligibility assessment before enrolment is confirmed.
Career Start General Training Pathway
For eligible students undertaking CHC30125:
Non-concession: $540
Concession: $300
Career Start Apprenticeship and Traineeship Pathway
Student co-contribution fees for full-time and part-time trainees are calculated according to the nominal training hours for each unit of competency. Eligible concessional students may pay a reduced student contribution fee.
Eligible school-based trainees are exempt from student co-contribution fees while undertaking their traineeship as a registered school-based trainee.
Full details of applicable fees, concessions, exemptions and refund arrangements are provided before enrolment and are available in the relevant AIECS Student Enrolment Guide and Fee Schedule.
The Queensland Government provides additional funding and higher subsidies to support eligible students and priority groups to participate in training.
Additional support may be available for:
AIECS will discuss any available support with you as part of the enrolment process and work with you to identify reasonable support that may assist you to successfully participate in and complete your training.
Career Start is designed to support eligible Queenslanders to gain nationally recognised skills and qualifications that can assist them to enter the workforce, progress in their career or continue into further education and training.
Students completing CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care can develop the skills and knowledge required to work in early childhood education and care settings and may choose to progress to further study, including CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Throughout your training, AIECS will provide information, guidance and support to assist you to successfully progress towards completion of your qualification.
Employers play an important role in supporting the development of Queensland's early childhood education and care workforce.
Through the Career Start Apprenticeship and Traineeship Pathway, eligible employees may undertake CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care as a registered trainee while working in an early childhood education and care service.
As the Supervising Registered Training Organisation (SRTO), AIECS works in partnership with the employer and trainee throughout the traineeship. This includes developing and maintaining the Training Plan, providing training and assessment, monitoring progress and supporting the trainee towards successful completion of their qualification.
Employers are responsible for providing, or arranging to provide, appropriate workplace facilities, supervision, on-the-job training and opportunities for the trainee to develop and demonstrate the skills and knowledge required by the qualification.
AIECS will assess the trainee's eligibility for Career Start funding and explain the applicable funding arrangements, student co-contribution fees and any other costs before enrolment is confirmed.
Where additional training costs are discussed with an employer, these will be clearly explained and agreed upon before the trainee enrols. Employers are not required to accept additional costs beyond the applicable student co-contribution fee requirements.
Please note: An employer is not required for students accessing CHC30125 through the Career Start General Training Pathway. Students undertaking the General Training Pathway complete the required workplace experience and practical assessment requirements in an approved early childhood education and care service.
Eligibility requirements vary depending on the Career Start training pathway. AIECS will assess your individual circumstances against the applicable Queensland Government requirements before confirming your enrolment.
You may be eligible for the Career Start General Training Pathway if you:
School students are not eligible for the Career Start General Training Pathway.
To access Career Start through the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Pathway, you must:
Eligible school students may access this pathway through a registered School-Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SAT). Foundation Skills qualifications and self-funded or fee-for-service qualifications do not affect eligibility under the current enrolment requirement. AIECS will review your previous qualifications, current enrolments and Queensland Government-funded training history as part of the eligibility assessment.
You can confirm your eligibility using the official eligibility checker.
https://www.qld.gov.au/education/training/funded/check-your-eligibility
Eligible students may receive a reduced student contribution fee where they meet the Queensland Government's concession requirements. This may include eligible Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card holders and their eligible partners or dependants, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, students with disability and adult prisoners.
AIECS will confirm your eligibility for a concessional fee and advise what supporting evidence is required before enrolment.
To determine eligibility for this program, students must provide sufficient information at enrolment to confirm they do not already hold, or are not currently enrolled in, a Certificate III or higher-level qualification.
In addition to the evidence provided by the student, AIECS will, where possible, undertake record checks through the AISS system and other relevant sources to verify that prospective students do not hold, and are not enrolled in, a post-school AQF Certificate III or higher-level qualification.
Students are also required to provide a copy of any qualification certificate or Statement of Attainment to assess eligibility for credit transfer. This includes any qualifications that have been completed either fully or partially.
Choosing Your Training Pathway
Under Career Start, eligible students may access up to two subsidised training places, depending on their chosen pathway and previous training history.
If you wish to access both a General Training Pathway Certificate III qualification and an apprenticeship or traineeship under Career Start, the General Training Pathway qualification must be completed first.
Once you have completed an apprenticeship or traineeship under Career Start, you are no longer eligible to access a General Training Pathway qualification under Career Start.
Eligible students may alternatively access up to two apprenticeship or traineeship qualifications at Certificate II or III level, including School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SATs), subject to the applicable eligibility requirements.
Current enrolments
To be eligible for Career Start, you must not be currently enrolled in another DTET-funded qualification, including a qualification that is on hold or deferred.
Foundation Skills qualifications and self-funded or fee-for-service qualifications do not affect eligibility under this requirement.
You must provide AIECS with complete and accurate information about your current and previous training so we can accurately assess your eligibility for government-subsidised training.
DTET Student Survey
After completing your training, the Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET) may invite you to participate in a student survey about your training experience, satisfaction and employment or further study outcomes.
Participation is optional, but feedback helps the Queensland Government evaluate and improve subsidised training programs.
Further information
For the most current information about Career Start, including eligibility requirements, training pathways and funding arrangements, visit:
Queensland Government – Career Start
You can also access the current:
Career Start Program Policy – effective 1 July 2026
CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care has no formal entry requirements specified within the training package. However, students enrolling with AIECS must meet the applicable course, funding and workplace requirements. Students are required to:
Students undertaking training and employment in early childhood education and care may be exposed to infectious diseases.
Students are encouraged to discuss appropriate vaccinations with their healthcare provider and be aware of any health, vaccination or infection-control requirements that may apply within their workplace.
Individual early childhood education and care services may have their own workplace health and safety policies or requirements. Students are responsible for ensuring they meet any requirements applicable to their workplace or placement.
A current Queensland Working with Children Check (Blue Card) is required for students undertaking workplace training and assessment in early childhood education and care services.
Students must provide AIECS with evidence of their Blue Card status as part of the enrolment and workplace training process and must maintain the required Blue Card status throughout their training.
Students are responsible for meeting any requirements and costs associated with obtaining and maintaining their Blue Card.
For current information about Blue Card eligibility, applications, fees and exemptions, refer to the Queensland Government Blue Card Services website.
A Unique Student Identifier (USI) is required for nationally recognised training in Australia. Your USI creates a lifelong record of your nationally recognised training and qualifications.
Students must provide AIECS with a valid USI as part of the enrolment process. Without a valid USI, AIECS may be unable to issue your qualification or Statement of Attainment.
Creating a USI is free.
AIECS may also require appropriate identification to verify your personal details and USI as part of the enrolment process.
The Queensland Government provides a subsidy under the Career Start Program to reduce the cost of eligible nationally recognised training. Depending on the student's training pathway and individual circumstances, a student co-contribution fee may apply.
For eligible students undertaking CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care:
Non-concession: $540
Concession: $300
Full-time and part-time trainees: Student co-contribution fees are charged at $1.60 per nominal training hour for each unit of competency. Eligible concessional students pay the applicable concessional rate.
School-based trainees: Eligible school-based trainees are exempt from student co-contribution fees while undertaking their traineeship as a registered School-Based Trainee.
A student's co-contribution fee may be paid by the student or on their behalf by another person or organisation, including their employer, subject to the applicable Queensland Government funding requirements.
AIECS will advise students of all applicable fees, concessions and exemptions before enrolment is confirmed.
Students who cancel their enrolment in a Career Start funded program may be eligible for a refund of student co-contribution fees.
AIECS will provide a 100% refund of student co-contribution fees paid for units of competency where training has not commenced at the time the enrolment is cancelled.
A refund will not be provided for student co-contribution fees relating to units of competency where training has already commenced.
Where a student co-contribution fee was paid by another person or organisation on behalf of the student, any applicable refund will be made to the original payee.
Full details are available in the AIECS Fees and Refunds Policy and the relevant Student Enrolment Guide.