Find the right government program to help you access free assistance while you are looking for work, changing your career or gaining additional skills.
Apprentices are trained in a skilled trade (e.g. electrical, plumbing, cabinet-making, automotive) and, upon successful completion, become a qualified tradesperson. Apprenticeships generally take up to 4 years to complete.
Local Australian Apprenticeship Support Network providers assist and support apprentices, trainees and employers from pre-commencement to completion.
Community Foundation Skills, part of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, assists Queenslanders with low level language, literacy, numeracy and digital (LLND) skills to equip them with the knowledge and confidence to participate successfully in a modern knowledge economy.
Employability Skills Training (EST) provides intensive pre-employment training to help develop your job search skills and workplace skills. EST offers 2 different blocks of training, each 75 hours long over 3–5 weeks.
Support for individuals to start a business is available through 4 key measures: Entrepreneurship Facilitators, SelfStart Online Hub, the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) and workshops providing young people with a taste of self-employment.
Fee Free TAFE allows eligible Queenslanders to complete recognised training in a priority qualification, through TAFE Queensland and CQUniversity only. This program replaces Free TAFE for under 25s, with an expanded qualification list and eligibility criteria.
The Higher Level Skills (HLS) program aims to assist individuals to gain the higher-level skills required to secure employment or career advancement in a priority industry, or to transition to university to further their studies.
The Indigenous Apprenticeship Program (IAP) offers successful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants a full-time, entry-level job with an Australian Government department. During the 12-month program, the apprentice will complete a Certificate IV or Diploma of Government.
CSIRO offers a wide range of employment and training opportunities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including traineeships, cadetships, graduate programs, and scholarships.
The Indigenous Youth Mobility Pathways Project (IYMP) aims to help young Indigenous Australians with tailored advice and support to relocate for education, work or training and achieve their long-term career goals.
Micro-credentials are mini courses offered by TAFE Queensland. These courses help you develop your skills, advance your career progression and are available in a range of areas such as coding, NDIS workforce fundamentals, electrical safety, digital and COVID Safe.
My Skills provides information on the skills you need, or already have, to get started in the job you want and search for courses with training providers in your local area.
The Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (QIYLP) provides an opportunity for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders to develop and strengthen leadership and self-development skills. The program provides participants with essential tools to develop and lead their own community projects and help drive improved outcomes in their communities.
Skill Up, part of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, assists adults 25 years or older to upskill or reskill in entry level positions in high priority industries to maximise existing and future job opportunities.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work programs provide supported training opportunities to help disadvantaged job seekers gain the skills, qualifications and experience they need to enter and stay in the workforce. These programs are run by community-based organisations.
