User Choice (QLD)
Check Your Eligibility
What is User Choice?
User Choice is a government funding program that helps Australian Apprentices by contributing to the cost of training and assessment services.
The User Choice program is a joint effort between the Commonwealth and Queensland governments that provides training subsidies and incentives for Australian Apprentices. This public funding scheme aims to match the skills needs of the industry with the vocational education and training sector.
The program enables apprentices, trainees, and their employers to select the conditions of their training. They can choose their own course, career path, and approved training provider.
The government gives the subsidy, which varies from 50-100% of the training cost, to the training provider upon enrolment through User Choice. This lowers the out-of-pocket expenses for employers.
Yourself or your employer may still have to pay a co-contribution fee of $1.60 per nominal hour for each unit of competency, calculated at the start of your training, unless you have an exemption. For instance, if you are a school-based apprentice or trainee, you won’t have to pay the student contribution fee, but if you leave school and become a part-time or full time apprentice or trainee, you will need to pay from that point onward.
Sorry! We don't have any Government Funded & Loan Scheme Courses in Queensland at the moment
What courses does User Choice funding subsidise?
User Choice can provide funding for more than 350 nationally recognised qualifications through apprenticeships and traineeships. You can find a full list of eligible courses on the User Choice qualification and price list, which is maintained by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT).
Courses must be taken via preferred Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). Find approved RTOs on the list of User Choice Skills Assure suppliers (SAS).
All levels of nationally recognised vocational qualifications are included, such as:
• Certificate II (pre-traineeship qualification)
• Certificate III
• Certificate IV
• Diploma
• Advanced Diploma
Subsidised training is available through apprenticeships and traineeships in a range of industries, including traditional trades, health care, real estate, and other fields.
Am I eligible for User Choice funding?
You must meet these eligibility requirements in order to access User Choice-funded training in Queensland.
These requirements are:
• Either:
• An Australian citizen
• A permanent resident of Australia
• NZ passport holder with over 6 months residency
• An eligible visa holder
• 15+ years of age
• Be working in an approved apprenticeship or traineeship
• Have started a government-funded training contract for a qualification
• Have chosen an approved training provider
To check your eligibility for User Choice funding with a specific course and provider, enquire about that course. The provider will confirm your eligibility with you.
Others Government Funding Schemes in Queensland
JobTrainer
JobTrainer provides fully subsidised training courses in industries with high skills demand and employment growth, and for school leavers, young people and job seekers.
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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.
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Certificate 3 Guarantee
The Certificate 3 Guarantee program could help pay for your first certificate III level qualification.
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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 an Australian Apprenticeship?
Australian Apprenticeship is the title given to apprenticeships and traineeships in Australia.
If you want to become an Australian Apprentice, find work first, then choose a qualification and an RTO to study with. Following that, you can agree to a training agreement that will be supervised by an Apprenticeship Network Provider.
What is the benefit of having User Choice?
You have the freedom to decide how your apprenticeship or traineeship will be structured thanks to User Choice. You can choose your job, employer, training provider, and qualification.
