Rural and Remote Pilot

Rural and Remote Central Queenslanders can unlock their potential with CQU TAFE and the Queensland Government’s Rural and Remote Pilot program. Eligible individuals can access face-to-face subsidised training for selected courses starting in February 2025. 

Training is delivered in Biloela, Emerald, Longreach, and Woorabinda. Places are limited, apply now.

To be eligible to access the Rural and Remote Pilot, you must:

  • be 15 years old or over;
  • no longer at school;
  • permanently reside in Queensland in the approved pilot locations, these include Banana Shire Council, Barcaldine Shire Council, Barcoo Shire Council, Blackall Tambo Regional Council, Boulia Shire Council, Central Highlands Regional Council, Diamantina Shire Council, Isaac Regional Council, Longreach Regional Council, Winton Shire Council and Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council;
  • be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident (including humanitarian entrants), temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency, or a New Zealand citizen (for more information see Visa eligibility under VET investment programs)     
  • not hold, or be enrolled in a certificate III level or higher qualification, not including qualifications completed at school and foundations skills training;
  • Meet any additional eligibility requirements identified through this Program or specific to the course;
  • Students may only access one funded qualification.
  • Some courses may require the student to be an existing worker in the related industry or hold a prerequisite qualification.

Courses will be subsidised by the Queensland Government for eligible applicants. Please visit the following course pages for subsidised tuition fees.

Explore More

Find a Rural and Remote Course

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

Community Services

Health

Pathway

FSK20119 - Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways under the Rural and Remote Pilot program cannot be undertaken as a standalone course. The eligible participant requiring Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways training requires a training plan for a qualification approved under the pilot. This is assessed and implemented by CQUniversity.

What is Rural and Remote?

The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training is launching a 12-month pilot to expand high-quality, face-to-face training options for residents in specific local government areas (LGAs). This initiative aims to provide locally delivered training and assessment in priority qualifications to improve the employability or career progression of eligible participants.

Frequently Asked Questions

All CQUniversity students have access to all our support services such as the Academic Learning Centre, Careers, Counselling and Wellbeing and more. 

The Careers and Development team supports prospective, current, and graduate students with career development and achieving professional aspirations through career education, guidance and information. The Careers team will connect with students during and after the program to offer support in becoming work ready by developing their employability and job search skills or explore further education pathways.

Class delivery will be on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30am – 3pm commencing from Tuesday 11 February 2025 to the end of November 2025, excluding Queensland school holiday periods.

It is highly recommended that you attend the Rural and Remote Pilot Hub as much as possible to connect with other students and the designated Academic Learning Adviser based at the Hub, who is there to support you during your studies.

There are mandatory attendance days throughout the year:

  • Tuesday 18 February- First Aid course - there is some flexibility if you hold a current First Aid Certificate, or if you are willing to attend an alternative First Aid course in your local area between February and April 2025.
  • Tuesday 13 May
  • Tuesday 21 October, Wednesday 22 October, Thursday 23 October

Please contact 13 27 86 if you would like to discuss your individual circumstances regarding enrolling/participating in one of the CQU Rural and Remote Pilot courses.

If you permanently reside in Queensland in one the approved pilot locations below, and meet all relevant eligibility criteria listed on the CQU Rural and Remote Pilot web page, you should be eligible for the 2025 CQU Rural and Remote Pilot program (delivered from Biloela, Emerald, Longreach and Woorabinda): 

  • Banana Shire Council
  • Barcaldine Shire Council 
  • Barcoo Shire Council
  • Blackall Tambo Regional Council 
  • Boulia Shire Council 
  • Central Highlands Regional Council
  • Diamantina Shire Council
  • Isaac Regional Council
  • Longreach Regional Council
  • Winton Shire Council and 
  • Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council

Biloela

Apprentices and Trainees Queensland

63 Raedon Street 

Biloela QLD 4715

Emerald

CQUniversity Emerald Campus

Capricorn Highway

Emerald QLD 4720

Longreach

Longreach Station

10311 Landsborough Highway

Longreach QLD  4730

Woorabinda

CQU Office, Level 2, Indigenous Knowledge Centre

122 Carbine Street

Woorabinda QLD 4713