Certificate 3 Guarantee

The Certificate 3 Guarantee assists working-age Queenslanders gain a nationally recognised certificate III qualification, which is often the first step to getting a job in many industries. Funded by the Queensland Government, Certificate 3 Guarantee reduces the cost to study for eligible students by subsidising the tuition fee.

The level of the government subsidy depends on the demand for workers in your chosen field. This funding is subject to change. Please carefully consider your training options before committing to a training course as this may exhaust your entitlement to further Queensland Government subsidised training. CQUniversity is an approved Skills Assure supplier with the Government Department of Trade, Employment and Training. To learn about Queensland Government funded programs, visit the Government Department of Trade, Employment and Training website.

To be eligible to access the Certificate 3 Guarantee, you must:

  • be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or an Australian permanent resident (including humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with an eligible visa subclass
  • be 15 years old or over
  • live in Queensland and have left school*
  • not already have, or be enrolled in a certificate III level or higher qualification, not including qualifications completed at secondary school and foundations skills training.
  • Some courses may require the student to be an existing worker in the related industry.

*Some Start TAFE Now students will be able to access training through the Queensland Government’s VET in Schools.

For more information about eligibility, check the Certificate 3 Guarantee Student Fact Sheet or contact 13 27 86.

To be eligible for a Queensland Government concession fee, you must be eligible to access Certificate 3 Guarantee, as well as meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

  • have, or be listed on an Australian Government Low Income Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card
  • hold a Department of Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
  • if you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
  • if you have a disability.

The Queensland Government is changing TAFE subsidy offerings from the 1st of July 2025 for Certificate 3 Guarantee and Higher Level Skills. Students provided with an offer for July 2025 intakes onwards will need to be reassessed. This may require the student to supply additional documentation to secure continued access to future funding. 

If students do not supply documentation as requested by CQUniversity subsidy may be cancelled and students may potentially continue as a full-fee paying student.

Students who are no longer eligible for Queensland Government subsidies may continue as a full-fee paying student. 

Eligible diploma level applicants may potentially apply to access the Australian Government’s VET Student Loan for eligible diploma level courses. A VET Student Loan gives rise to a VETSL debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid. 

If you are unsure of your eligibility or wish to discuss your options further, please connect with us on 13 27 86.

Students who started their studies before 1st of July 2025, may continue to receive Certificate 3 Guarantee and Higher Level Skills subsidy. Breaks between study may result in losing access to previous subsidy. A break in study refers to more than a month between finishing units and enrolling into the next units. 

The Queensland Government will be introducing two new subsidy programs starting 1st of July 2025:

  • Career Start – guaranteed access to individuals to gain their first certificate III qualification, facilitating entry to employment, including apprenticeships and traineeships.
  • Career Boost – providing lifelong learning opportunities for working-age Queenslanders to update or develop their skills and knowledge, including funding for certificate IV and above qualifications and priority skill sets.

Certificate 3 Guarantee Courses

Please carefully consider your training option before committing to a training course as this may exhaust your entitlement to further Queensland Government subsidised training.

Accounting and Business

Animal Care

Community Services

Education

Foundational Skills

Hairdressing 

Health

Horticulture 

Hospitality and Tourism 

Information Technology 

Pathway 

Science 

Visual Arts 

Some courses may require the student to be an existing worker in the related industry. These restrictions and/or exemptions are detailed in the Priority Skills list.

*Lower-level vocational qualifications may also be subsidised in certain limited circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Certificate 3 Guarantee subsidises course costs for certificate III courses and supporting programs. Subsidy amounts depend upon the chosen course and other factors including possession of a health care or pensioner concession card.

To help students who may need to develop skills before undertaking a certificate III course, the Certificate 3 Guarantee also covers study in language, literacy and numeracy programs as well as lower certificate qualifications that lead to a certificate III.

Students who hold a healthcare or pension concession card or identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander will receive a higher subsidy.

Yes, students undertaking their training as part of the Certificate 3 Guarantee subsidy must contribute to their training cost through a co-contribution fee. There is an exception for foundation skills, denoted by FSK at the beginning of the course code. This training can be provided fee-free to students, as determined by the Skills Assure Supplier.

Yes, the co-contribution fee, being the remaining course cost after the Queensland Government subsidy, can be paid by employers for their staff. Eligibility requirements apply. If the employer opts to pay CQUniversity directly, rather than reimburse the employee/student, invoices will be payable as the student enrols in units. The employer will need to complete an Authority to Invoice form, you can request this form from our Student Engagement Team via email studentengagement@cqu.edu.au. 

TAFE Subsidised Training

Reduce the fees you pay with government subsidised training, from free to low-fee TAFE course options.

VET in Schools (VETiS)

Find out more about the Queensland Government's VET in Schools (VETiS) funding that allows students to study TAFE Qualifications while still in school.

Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s

Find out more about the free TAFE study opportunities available for those under 25.