Start TAFE Now Requirements and How to Apply Information

To participate in the Start TAFE Now program, students must:

• complete the online basic key skill builder (bksb) pre-enrolment language and literacy and digital literacy (LLN) testing
• be a minimum of 15 years-of-age
• be in Year 10, 11, 12*
• provide a copy of all previously completed certificate qualifications
• remain enrolled in and attend a Queensland school throughout the duration of the program
• identify the Start TAFE Now program in their Senior Education and Training (SET) plan.

*Some courses may require students to meet additional eligibility requirements. Please visit the relevant CQU course page for more information. Not all qualifications can be accessed if you are in Year 10 or Year 12.

Follow these simple steps to ensure you are prepared for the Start TAFE Now:

1. Discuss your interest in Start TAFE Now with your school Careers Officer, Year Level Coordinator or Guidance Officer and your parents/guardian.
2. Read the Start TAFE Now Eligibility Requirements to make sure you meet the program requirements.
3. Decide what course you want to complete by looking at the courses available on the course options web page.
4. Complete your Start TAFE Now Authorisation form. Please make sure all required fields are filled out, names and dates are accurate, and signatures are included. Incomplete forms will delay application processing. 
5. Have your Unique Student Identifier (USI) and Learner Unique Identifier (LUI) (obtain this from your school) ready for your application.

1. Visit your desired course web page. 
2. Follow the How to Apply prompts. 
3. Select the 'Apply' button and start your application in Apply Online.
4. Attach your Authorisation Form. Please review your form carefully before submitting it. Ensure all required fields are filled out, names and dates are accurate, and signatures are included. Incomplete forms will delay application processing. 
5. Submit your application. Please ensure that your parent/guardian and school contact details exactly match what is on your Authorisation Form.
6. After submitting your application, please continue to check your email inbox for updates regarding your application.
7. Complete your Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) testing. Refer to Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) information below for further information.

After submitting your application, you will receive the following emails:

1. Application acknowledgement.
2. Request to complete BKSB. Refer to Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) information below for further information.
3. Outcome of your application.

If your application is successful, you will also receive a welcome email with the confirmation of your enrolment and Start TAFE Now resources.

All email correspondence will be sent to the email you used in your application. 

Your application will not be assessed until completed in full with all supporting documentation and completion of BKSB.

After you submit your application, you will be emailed a link to complete Basic Key Skills Builder (bksb) Maths, English and Digital Literacy assessments to the email you supplied on your application. The bksb assessments are online, self-paced and take approximately 20-40 minutes to complete, with the option to leave and come back if required. There are three assessments, one for Maths, English and Digital Literacy. You are only required to complete the three assessments and not the diagnostic assessment.

Your responses are not used to determine your entry acceptance; they will help us to determine your level of competency and what support you may need in your TAFE course so you can succeed.

For applicants with lower numeracy, literacy and digital literacy, you must acknowledge your results and respond to the declaration on the application portal to proceed with your application.

Follow the Basic Key Skills Builder Instruction Sheet for assistance in completing your testing.

To be eligible for most Queensland Government subsidies, you must not be currently enrolled in another qualification. If you are found to be enrolled elsewhere, you may be asked to withdraw from the qualification before your subsidy can be approved for the qualification you have applied for.

CQUniversity is required to receive proof of your withdrawal before offering a subsidy. This evidence must come from your previous Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and can be provided in one of the following ways:

• A confirmation letter on the RTO’s official letterhead, or
• An email from the RTO that includes their official email signature.

This confirmation must clearly state that you have been withdrawn from your previous qualification(s).
 

If you do not wish to be assessed for a subsidy you may choose to continue your application as a Fee for service student.

Application submission period

2026 applications remain open for the Gladstone campus only and will close on 8 December 2025.

Applicant requirements

To be considered for entry into this course students must, in addition to the STN eligibility be:

• Commencing Year 11 or Year 12 in 2026;
• Enrolled in/intending to enrol in one English subject AND one of the following Mathematics subjects - General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics.
• Minimum C grade achieved in English and Maths as per most recent school report card
• Reside within the regions specified below:
  • Gladstone Region including Mt Larcom, Miriam Vale, Agnes Water/1770, Calliope and Biloela
  • Rockhampton Region including Yeppoon, Gracemere and Mount Morgan
• Provide all requested supporting documentation at time of application.

How to Apply

To be considered for admission into this course, students should submit the following documentation within the application submission period:

• Start Now Study Authorisation form (with student, parent/guardian and school signatures)
• Personal statement from student which should include – Reason for interest in the course, current career goals/aspirations, work experience (if applicable); and
• Most recent graded report card (must include reported behaviour, effort and attendance). 

Late applications will not be accepted.

Application Review

The review of applications will begin following the closure of the application period on 15 September 2025. All applicants will be notified of their outcomes no later than the end of November 2025.

Successful applicants will be required to complete pre-admission tasks, details of which will be communicated via email. Upon completion of these tasks, applicants will receive confirmation of their placement in the course.