Queensland Funding Options
Designer Life is a Skills Assure Supplier to the Queensland Government and offers funding under a range of programs for many of our qualifications. If you meet the eligibility criteria for your chosen funding program, a portion of your course fees could be covered by government funding. Find out more about the funding options available: |
Certificate 3 Guarantee Program
The Certificate 3 Guarantee provides a subsidy from the Queensland Government to allow eligible Queenslanders to obtain their first post-school certificate III level qualification.
Who is eligible for the program?
To be eligible for the Certificate 3 Guarantee, an individual must:
- Not be currently enrolled in another qualification (not including foundation skills training)
- Not already hold a certificate III or higher-level qualification. This does not include certificate III qualifications completed while at secondary school and foundation skills training
- Be 15 years of age or older
- Have finished secondary school or left school
- Be a Queensland resident
- Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident (including humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency
What courses can I do?
Designer Life offers a range of Certificate III level courses under this funding, please contact us for more information and to check if your desired course is available.
What will it cost me to participate?
Course fees associated with your training are subsidised by the Queensland Government, leaving only a small student co-contribution fee.
Student Co-contribution Fees:
Non-Concessional: $25
Concessional: $25
Please note, for students who are looking to enrol into the following courses:
CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services | |
CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support |
Many employers in these industries require workers to obtain a Blue Card, Disability Worker Screening (Previously known as the Yellow Card) and/or a Police Check, you may also be required to hold a current First Aid and CPR certificate.
Queensland has also adopted a “No Card, No Start” policy, this means that students enrolling into these courses will need to source, pay for these items, and successfully obtain them prior to undertaking vocational placement. Blue Cards and Disability Worker Screenings are free for students, however, the prices for Police Checks and First Aid/CPR courses will vary depending on the supplier you choose. Designer Life will assist you with the application process for a Blue Card and/or Disability Worker Screening.
Concessional Participants defined as follows:
- the Participant holds a Health Care concession card or Pensioner concession card issued under Commonwealth law, or is the partner or a dependant of a person who holds a Health Care concession card or Pensioner concession card, and is named on the card; or
- the Participant can provide an official form under Commonwealth law confirming that the Participant, his or her partner or the person of whom the Participant is a dependant, is entitled to concessions under a Health Care or Pensioner concession card; or
- the Participant is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin
Additional Information
Participants will no longer be eligible for further subsidised training under the Program once they successfully complete a Certificate III Qualification.
Participants undertaking some Qualifications are required to undertake mandatory vocational placement in order to be issued with a certificate. The duration of the vocational placement will depend on your specific course requirements.
Vocational Placements and COVID-19 Vaccinations
Due to the ongoing nature of the COVID-19 Pandemic the Queensland Government may impose increased restrictions from time to time to ensure the safety of the public. As a part of these restrictions access to certain facilities or locations may be restricted for those who do not meet the current definition of “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19. Additionally, individual employers may have their own requirements regarding vaccination status for students completing placements or for entry to their facility.
In the event that vaccination requirements are in place, students completing vocational placements should be aware that these requirements may impact their ability to undertake a placement. Where vocational placement is mandatory for the successful completion of your course, you cannot be issued with a certificate until you have successfully completed your placement.
Exact requirements will be confirmed prior to commencement of individual placements. If you have any questions regarding how a vocational placement may be impacted, please speak with our team prior to your enrolment.
For more information on Certificate 3 Guarantee funding:
Certificate 3 Guarantee - Student Fact Sheet | |
Certificate 3 Guarantee - Disadvantaged Learners Fact Sheet |
Higher Level Skills
The Higher Level Skills program provides a government subsidy in selected Certificate IV level or higher qualifications and priority skill sets to help individuals gain the higher level skills required to secure employment or career advancement in a priority industry.
Who is eligible for the program?
To be eligible for Higher Level Skills, an individual must:
- Not be currently enrolled in another qualification (not including foundation skills training)
- Not already hold a certificate IV or higher-level qualification. This does not include certificate qualifications completed while at secondary school and foundation skills training
- Be 15 years of age or older
- Have finished secondary school or left school
- Be a Queensland resident
- Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident (including humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency
Courses offered under this funding program have additional eligibility requirements for students to be currently employed in specific industries and/or undertaking specific duties. You will be required to supply evidence to support your enrolment. Please contact our team for more information about the specific requirements for your chosen course.
What courses can I do?
The following courses are currently available under this funding program:
CHC41215 Certificate IV in Career Development |
What will it cost me to participate?
Course fees associated with your training are subsidised by the Queensland Government, leaving only a small student co-contribution fee.
Student Co-contribution Fees:
Non-Concessional: $25
Concessional: $25
Concessional Participants defined as follows:
- the Participant holds a Health Care concession card or Pensioner concession card issued under Commonwealth law, or is the partner or a dependant of a person who holds a Health Care concession card or Pensioner concession card, and is named on the card; or
- the Participant can provide an official form under Commonwealth law confirming that the Participant, his or her partner or the person of whom the Participant is a dependant, is entitled to concessions under a Health Care or Pensioner concession card; or
- the Participant is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin
Additional Information
Participants will no longer be eligible for further subsidised training once they successfully complete a course funded by the Higher Level Skills program.
For more information on Higher Level Skills funding:
Higher Level Skills - Student Fact Sheet |
User Choice
The User Choice program provides a funding contribution towards the cost of training and assessment services for eligible Queensland apprentices and trainees.
Who is eligible for the program?
In order to access User Choice funding you must:
- be employed in an approved apprenticeship or traineeship
- have entered a training contract for a qualification funded by the government
- have selected a government-approved training provider
If you have previously completed an apprenticeship or traineeship under User Choice funding you may not be eligible to complete any additional funded apprenticeships or traineeships. Please contact our team to discuss your eligibility if you are unsure if you can access additional User Choice funding.
What courses can I do?
Designer Life offers a range qualifications under this funding, please contact us for more information and to check if your desired course is available.
What will it cost me to participate?
All students who enrol into Traineeship/Apprenticeship subsidised under the User Choice Program are required to pay a Student Contribution fee. This fee may be paid on behalf of the student by their employer or by a Third Party.
Student Contribution Fees are calculated at a rate of $1.60 per nominal hour for each unit of competency that the student completes as a part of their course. The total Student Contribution Fee payable will be charged up front at commencement of the course.
Full or partial fee exemptions may be offered in certain situations which may reduce the total fee amount that is required to be paid. Our team will be able to provide specific advice about the fees that will need to be paid on enrolment.
For more information on User Choice funding: