You may be able to study a childcare qualification with no course fees or at a reduced cost in Queensland, depending on your circumstances and the training pathway you choose.

Eligible students may be able to access:

• Fee-free training through Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s

• Subsidised Certificate III training through Career Start

• Subsidised Diploma training through Career Boost

• Funded skill sets through Career Start or Career Boost, where eligible

• Subsidised apprenticeship or traineeship training through the Career Start or Career Boost employment-based pathways

• Fee-for-service study when government funding does not apply

Your eligibility can depend on your age, where you live, citizenship or visa status, previous qualifications, whether you are already enrolled in another DTET-funded qualification, your employment arrangement and your chosen course. Self-funded or fee-for-service study and foundation skills qualifications do not count as another DTET-funded qualification for this eligibility rule.

At Venture Education, the CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is listed under Career Start and is funded on the Queensland Subsidised Training List through both general training and a traineeship pathway. The CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is listed under Career Boost and is funded through both general training and an apprenticeship pathway. See our apprenticeship and traineeship pathways for more information.

Funding information in this article reflects the current Career Start and Career Boost Program Policies and Skills Assure Supplier requirements as reviewed in September 2026. Eligibility, funded course availability and fees must still be confirmed before enrolment.

Funding Options At A Glance

This table is a general guide only. Venture Education will confirm your funding pathway, eligibility and total student cost before enrolment.

Career Start Funding For Certificate III Childcare Study

Career Start is a Queensland Government program that helps eligible Queenslanders start their career, move into more skilled roles or move into full-time employment. It covers entry-level training up to Certificate III level.

At Venture Education, Career Start may subsidise the CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, depending on your eligibility. This qualification may suit people who are:

• Beginning a career in early childhood education and care
• Returning to work
• Changing careers
• Already working in childcare but do not yet hold the required qualification
• Looking to build practical, entry-level educator skills

Under the Career Start general training pathway, eligibility requirements commonly include:

• Being aged 15 or older
• No longer being a school student
• Permanently living in Queensland
• Meeting the applicable citizenship, permanent residency or eligible visa requirements
• Not having completed a Certificate III or higher qualification within the previous 10 years
• Not currently being enrolled in another DTET-funded qualification, even if it is on hold or deferred. Foundation skills qualifications and self-funded or fee-for-service qualifications do not affect eligibility under this rule.

Foundation skills qualifications and self-funded or fee-for-service study do not count as another DTET-funded qualification for this concurrent-enrolment rule.

Qualifications you completed while at school and foundation skills qualifications do not count towards the previous-qualification restriction. Additional course or industry entry requirements may also apply.

How Many Times Can I Access Funded Training?

Career Start allows eligible students to access up to two subsidised training places. This may be a Certificate III under the general training pathway plus an apprenticeship or traineeship, or two apprenticeships or traineeships at Certificate II or III level. If the apprenticeship or traineeship is completed first, the student is no longer eligible to later access a Career Start general training pathway qualification.

Eligible students may also access one subsidised introductory-level skill set under Career Start, subject to the applicable qualification, skill set and eligibility requirements.

Career Boost allows an eligible student to access either one Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma under the general training pathway, or one higher-level apprenticeship or traineeship at Certificate IV or above. Eligible students may also access up to two subsidised skill sets in priority industries or sectors.

Across the funded programs, no more than two government-funded apprenticeships or traineeships can generally be completed within a 10-year period.

Is Career Start Only For Your First Certificate III?

Not necessarily.

A Certificate III or higher qualification completed within the previous 10 years may affect your eligibility. A qualification you completed more than 10 years ago may not prevent access to funding, and qualifications you finished at school or foundation skills training are usually excluded.

Every study history is different, so talk to our enrolments team and we can check your study history with you before you enrol.

Career Boost Funding For Diploma Study

Career Boost supports eligible Queenslanders who want to gain higher-level skills, advance their careers or continue into further education and training. It covers selected Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma qualifications, as well as priority skill sets.

At Venture Education, Career Boost may subsidise the CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.

The Diploma may suit educators who want to:

• Progress from Certificate III to Diploma
• Build advanced curriculum and planning skills
• Strengthen their leadership capabilities
• Work towards lead educator, room leader or coordinator responsibilities
• Take on greater responsibility within an early childhood service

Under the Career Boost general training pathway, eligibility requirements commonly include:

• Being aged 15 or older
• No longer being a school student
• Permanently living in Queensland
• Meeting the applicable citizenship, permanent residency or eligible visa requirements
• Not having completed a Certificate IV or higher qualification, including a tertiary qualification, within the previous 10 years
• Not currently being enrolled in another DTET-funded qualification, even if it is on hold or deferred. Foundation skills qualifications and self-funded or fee-for-service qualifications do not affect this eligibility rule.

Foundation skills qualifications and self-funded or fee-for-service qualifications do not automatically affect eligibility under this rule.

Eligible Diploma students may also be able to use a VET Student Loan to cover all or part of their co-contribution fee where the course and provider are approved and the student meets VET Student Loans eligibility requirements.

Funded Skill Sets If The Diploma Is Not An Option

If you completed a Certificate IV, Diploma or degree within the last 10 years, you may not be eligible for a funded Diploma. The previous-qualification restriction does not apply to Career Boost skill sets, and eligible students may access up to 2 subsidised skill sets in priority industries or sectors.

Current early childhood skill sets on the Queensland Subsidised Training List include options for eligible existing workers, such as:

• CHCSS00147 Entry to Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care Skill Set
• Team Leader Skill Set
• Complex Needs Skill Set

Skill set funding depends on the current Queensland Subsidised Training List, any student restrictions, and Venture Education being approved for the funded delivery. Please check with our enrolments team before you enrol.

Free Apprenticeships For Under 25s

Some Queensland students may be able to study with no course fees through Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s.

The Queensland Government states that this program covers the cost of training when you choose a high priority apprenticeship or traineeship. To be eligible, you must:

• Be employed as a Queensland apprentice or trainee under a training contract
• Be training in a high priority apprenticeship or traineeship qualification
• Have commenced, or already been undertaking, your apprenticeship or traineeship between 1 January 2021 and 30 June 2027
• Be aged under 25

Funding continues until you finish your apprenticeship or traineeship, even if you turn 25 during your training or complete after 30 June 2027.

Venture Education lists both CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care under this program. Because the list of high priority qualifications is updated from time to time, please confirm your qualification with our enrolments team before you enrol.

This pathway may suit you if you:

• Are under 25
• Are employed, or becoming employed, in an early childhood service
• Have a Queensland training contract
• Want to study while working
• Meet the program and course requirements

“Free” refers to your course fees being covered. The Queensland Government notes that other costs outside the training/course fee, such as uniforms or travel, may still apply. A travel and accommodation subsidy may also be available if you need to travel at least 100km return to attend your off-the-job training.

Can I Pay A Lower Co-Contribution Fee?

The fee rules depend on your training pathway and individual circumstances.

For Career Start and Career Boost general training, Venture Education sets and publishes the applicable concessional and non-concessional co-contribution fees. Under the Skills Assure Supplier Policy, the co-contribution fee must represent the total mandatory cost to the student for the funded training, including enrolment charges, tuition, services and materials, and mandatory costs such as criminal history checks where required for vocational placement or employment.

For a Career Start or Career Boost apprenticeship or traineeship, the student contribution fee is set by the Queensland Government at $1.60 per nominal training hour for each unit of competency.

An apprentice or trainee must be charged only 40% of the standard contribution fee where they meet the applicable under-17 criteria or hold concessional status. A full fee exemption may also apply where serious financial hardship can be demonstrated. School-based apprentices and trainees who are eligible for government-funded training do not pay student co-contribution fees while undertaking their school-based arrangement.

Concessional status can include eligible Health Care, Veteran or Pensioner Concession Card holders and eligible partners or dependants, First Nations people, people with disability and other cohorts specified under the applicable funding policy. Venture Education will confirm what applies to you before enrolment.

Venture Education cannot request or demand more than 30% of the total co-contribution fee upfront. A student or employer may explicitly request to pay a higher amount upfront. Where a co-contribution fee applies, an employer or unrelated third party may pay it on the student’s behalf, but the fee cannot be paid or waived by the Skills Assure Supplier or an associated entity unless the Department gives written approval.

Eligible apprentices and trainees under Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s have their training fees covered by the Queensland Government. Other costs outside the training/course fee, such as uniforms or travel, may still apply.

Can I Get Funding If I Already Work In Childcare?

Yes, you may still have funding options if you already work in childcare.

The right pathway depends on your current role, qualification history, age, employment arrangement and course choice.

For example:

● If you are working in childcare and want to complete your first Certificate III, Career Start or a traineeship pathway may apply.

● If you already hold a Certificate III and want to move into the Diploma, Career Boost or a Diploma apprenticeship pathway may apply.

● If you are under 25 and employed under an eligible Queensland training contract, fee-free apprenticeship or traineeship options may apply.

● If a recent higher-level qualification rules out the funded Diploma, a funded skill set may apply.

● If you are not eligible for funding, fee-for-service study may still be available.

This is why checking eligibility is important. Two students can be interested in the same childcare course but have different funding outcomes.

What If I Am Not Eligible For Government Funding?

You may still be able to enrol as a fee-for-service student.

Fee-for-service means that government funding does not contribute towards your training and you are responsible for the full course fee. Payment plans are available if you cannot pay upfront.

This pathway may apply when you:

● Hold a previous qualification that affects funding eligibility

● Do not meet the residency or visa requirements

● Are currently enrolled in another DTET-funded qualification, even if it is on hold or deferred. Foundation skills and self-funded or fee-for-service study do not count for this restriction.

● Do not meet the requirements of a particular funding program

● Choose a course or delivery pathway that is not covered

● Have already used your available funded training places

Our team can help you understand whether fee-for-service is the right option, or whether another pathway may be available.

What Information Do I Need To Check Eligibility?

To check your funding eligibility, it helps to have a few details ready.

You may be asked about:

● Your age

● Where you permanently live

● Your citizenship, residency or visa status

● Whether you are still at school

● Your highest completed qualification

● When and where your previous qualifications were completed

● Whether any qualification was completed while you were at school

● Whether you are currently enrolled in another DTET-funded qualification, including a qualification that is on hold or deferred

● Whether any other current study is foundation skills or self-funded/fee-for-service training

● Whether you currently work in childcare

● Whether you have a registered apprenticeship or traineeship arrangement

● Which childcare course you want to study

● Whether you hold a concession card or meet the concession criteria

You do not need to work out your funding pathway by yourself. Our enrolments team can use these details to explain which options may apply to you.

Which Childcare Course Should I Ask About?

If you are new to childcare, ask about the CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. This is often the starting point for people who want to become early childhood educators.

If you already work in the sector and are ready to build leadership skills, ask about the CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. This pathway may support educators who want to move towards lead educator, room leader or coordinator responsibilities.

If a recent qualification affects your eligibility, ask about our funded skill sets instead.

Where Does Venture Education Deliver Training?

We deliver training across Greater Brisbane, Toowoomba and Townsville. If you live outside these areas, contact us and we can talk through what may be possible for you.

What Happens After You Enquire?

When you contact Venture Education, our team can help you move from "I think I might be eligible" to a clearer study and funding pathway.

The process may include:

• Confirming the qualification and training pathway you want to undertake
• Reviewing your age, residency, previous qualifications and current DTET-funded enrolments
• For Career Start or Career Boost general training, completing the required Pre-Enrolment Assessment before enrolment. This includes an interview or conversation to assess suitability for the program, qualification and potential employment outcomes, and retaining evidence of eligibility, concessions, restrictions and exemptions.
• For an apprenticeship or traineeship, reviewing the registered training contract and employment arrangements, completing the required Employer Resource Assessment, and developing the Training Plan with the employer and apprentice or trainee.
• Confirming your co-contribution fee, any applicable concession or exemption and how payments will be collected
• Providing the required pre-enrolment information about total costs and fee collection, delivery mode, training timelines, assessment methods, approved delivery locations, course completion requirements, vocational placement and available student support.
• Guiding you through the next enrollment steps.

The current Skills Assure Supplier Policy distinguishes the two pathways. The formal Pre-Enrolment Assessment applies to general training. Apprenticeships and traineeships instead require the employment-based checks, Employer Resource Assessment and Training Plan. The AISS training-history search is mandatory for both pathways, using the different timeframes above. 

FAQs

Can I Study Childcare For Free In Queensland?

You may be able to study childcare with no course fees if you are eligible for Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s or another fee-free apprenticeship or traineeship pathway. Other students may be eligible for subsidised training, which reduces the course cost but may still require a co-contribution fee.

Am I Eligible For Subsidised Training?

Eligibility depends on the funding program and training pathway. Common factors include your age, Queensland residency, citizenship or visa status, previous qualifications, whether you are currently enrolled in another DTET-funded qualification, your employment arrangement and your chosen course. Foundation skills and self-funded or fee-for-service study do not automatically prevent access under the concurrent-enrolment rule.

What Funding Is Available For The Certificate III?

The CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care may be available through Career Start, traineeship funding, Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s, or fee-for-service study, depending on your eligibility. Venture Education lists CHC30125 under Career Start and under Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s.

What Funding Is Available For The Diploma?

The CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care may be available through Career Boost, an eligible apprenticeship pathway, Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s, or fee-for-service study, depending on your eligibility. Venture Education lists CHC50125 under Career Boost and under Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s.

How Many Times Can I Get Funded Training?

Career Start allows up to 2 funded places, and Career Boost allows one funded general pathway place in a Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma, plus up to 2 funded skill sets. Because these places are limited, it is worth checking what you have already used before you enrol.

Can I Access Funding If I Already Work In Childcare?

Yes, you may still be eligible, especially if you are studying through a traineeship pathway or progressing into higher-level training. Your eligibility depends on your qualification history, employment arrangement and the funding rules that apply at the time you enrol.

Do I Pay Less If I Hold A Concession Card?

You may. Concessions can reduce your co-contribution fee for students who hold a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, have a disability, or meet other concession criteria.

Is Fee-Free Training The Same As Subsidised Training?

Not always. Fee-free training may cover the course fees for eligible students under a specific program. Subsidised training means the government contributes to the cost, but you may still need to pay a co-contribution fee or other related costs.

Do I Have To Pay Anything If My Course Is Fee-Free?

You may still need to pay related costs such as uniforms, resources or travel. The Queensland Government explains that under Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s, course fees may be covered, but related costs may still apply.

What If I Have Already Studied Before?

Prior study can affect your eligibility. For some programs, holding a recent qualification may mean you are not eligible, or you may need a different funding pathway such as a skill set or fee-for-service study. Speak with Venture Education so we can help you check.

Who Organises My Vocational Placement?

Where your qualification requires vocational placement, Venture Education is responsible under the Skills Assure Supplier requirements for sourcing and organising the required placement and providing guidance and ongoing support during the placement.

Students may still need to complete workplace observations, practical assessment activities and other placement requirements where required by the qualification.

When Will I Receive My Qualification Or Statement Of Attainment?

Once you have successfully completed the required training and assessment, Venture Education will issue the applicable qualification or statement of attainment in accordance with the required certification timeframes.

Ready To Check Your Childcare Funding Options?

If you are asking, “Can I study childcare for free in Queensland?”, the best next step is to check your eligibility before you enrol.

At Venture Education, we can help you understand whether you may be eligible for fee-free training, subsidised training, a funded skill set, a traineeship pathway or fee-for-service study.

Contact our enrolments team on 1300 037 000 or enquire online, and we will talk you through the options that apply to your situation.

Venture Education is the trading name of Childcare Select Training Solutions Pty Ltd, RTO 32071.

Funding information in this article is current as at September 2026 and is a general guide only. Funding programs and eligibility rules can change.

Sources: Queensland Government Career Start (qld.gov.au/education/training/funded/career-start), Career Boost (qld.gov.au/education/training/funded/career-boost), and Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s (qld.gov.au/education/training/funded/freeapprenticeships)