Certificate 3 Guarantee (QLD)
Check Your Eligibility
What is the Certificate 3 Guarantee?
The Certificate 3 Guarantee program could help pay for your first certificate III level qualification.
The Certificate 3 Guarantee is a government funding scheme for vocational education and training. If you’re an eligible Queenslander, you can access financial support to help you complete your first post-school Certificate III course. If you’re a school student or Year 12 graduate, it may provide you with free training in a high-priority qualification.
The Certificate 3 Guarantee program also fully funds priority courses through the Free TAFE for Under 25s initiative.
When you enrol in a course, the government pays the subsidy directly to the training provider and reports it to the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training. You may still need to pay a co-contribution fee to cover the remainder of the cost.
Sorry! We don't have any Government Funded & Loan Scheme Courses in Queensland at the moment
What courses does the Certificate 3 Guarantee subsidise?
Certificate 3 Guarantee funding provides government subsidies for certificate III qualifications to eligible individuals. These entry-level qualifications are a great stepping stone into jobs in many industries. In some circumstances, the program also funds foundation skills training and lower-level vocational qualifications (like certificate II courses).
Subsidies are different for each course, and priority courses attract a higher subsidy. For a complete list of funded qualifications, see the Priority Skills List.
Only Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) that have been pre-approved as a Skills Assure supplier (SAS) can deliver courses through this program. The Queensland Skills Gateway publishes the full list of approved RTOs.
Am I eligible for the Certificate 3 Guarantee?
To be eligible for the Certificate 3 Guarantee, you must be a Queensland resident and one of the following:
• Australian citizen or New Zealand citizen
• Australian permanent resident (including humanitarian entrants)
• Temporary resident with an eligible visa subclass
You must also:
• Be at least 15 years of age
• Live in Queensland and have left school*
• Not already have, or be enrolled in, a certificate III level or higher qualification.
*If you’re participating in VET in Schools, you may be able to access training through the Certificate 3 Guarantee.
You may be eligible for a higher subsidy if you:
• Hold a healthcare or pension concession card
• Training in a remote region of Queensland, and Cape York and the Torres Strait
• Identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
For more information, check the support for disadvantaged learners fact sheet.
Others Government Funding Schemes in Queensland
Skills Checkpoint
Skills Checkpoint is a government program that supports Australians over 40 in retraining and upskilling so they can enhance their current careers or find new jobs.
Learn More
User Choice
User Choice is a government funding program that helps Australian Apprentices by contributing to the cost of training and assessment services.
Learn More
Free TAFE for under 25s
All under 25s in Queensland can access training for 26 priority certificate III qualifications for free, opening up new and exciting opportunities for young people in the area.
Learn More
Free apprenticeships for under 25s
Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s is a program set up by the Queensland Government to give training to young people in high priority areas.
Learn More
Higher Level Skills
The higher level skills program aims to equip Queenslanders with the necessary abilities to find work in priority industries or to move on towards a university education.
Learn MoreFAQ
What is the difference between a certificate III and IV course?
A certificate III course usually takes 3-6 months of full-time study to complete, and is considered an entry-level qualification. A certificate IV course usually takes 6-12 months, and gives you deeper knowledge and skills so you can start in a more senior role.
How many courses can I do under the Certificate 3 Guarantee?
Every eligible Queenslander has an entitlement under the Certificate 3 Guarantee for one government subsidised training place.
