Career Start is one of the Queensland Government’s core funded vocational education and training (VET) programs, managed by the Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET).

Career Start offers job seekers access to free or low-cost training, along with the skills and support they need to begin their career.

How does the program work?

The program allows apprentices and employers to choose a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) from a list of approved Skills Assure Suppliers (SAS) to deliver nationally recognised training tailored to their needs. It operates alongside the Commonwealth Australian Apprenticeships System, where apprentices sign legally binding training contracts with their employers and receive structured training to gain a nationally recognised qualification.

Training Direct Australia is a SKILLS ASSURE SUPPLIER RTO #32355

Read more about ‘Career Start‘

Co-contribution fess

Student co-contribution fees represent the portion of training and assessment costs not covered by government funding. Under the Career Start program, these fees are set at $1.60 per nominal hour for each unit of competency. Payment of the co-contribution fee is mandatory.

For the SIT30821 Certificate III in Commercial Cookery, the total student co-contribution fee is $1,472.00. Fees are invoiced upon successful completion of each unit of competency. The fee listed is the maximum that will be charged. No fee applies to units granted through credit transfer.

Co-contribution fees exemptions

• School-based apprentices.
• Under 25s – Free Apprenticeship.
• The student co-contribution fees will be reduced by 60% if the student falls into one of the following exemption categories. Evidence must be provided to receive the exemption.
  • Was or will be under 17 years of age at the end of February in the year in which the SAS provides training, and is not at school and has not completed year 12;
  • Holds a Health Care, Veteran or Pensioner Concession Card issued under Commonwealth law, or is the partner or a dependant of a person who holds such a card and is named on the card;
  • Holds an official form issued under Commonwealth law confirming that the individual, their partner or the person of whom they are a dependant, is entitled to concessions under a Health Care, Veteran or Pensioner Concession Card;
  • Identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (First Nations people).