Skilling Queenslanders for Work for community organisations

Skilling Queenslanders for Work funds community organisations to deliver local training and employment projects.

The Queensland Government has refreshed Skilling Queenslanders for Work to deliver even better outcomes for job seekers, employers and the economy. The refreshed initiative includes strong input from employers, industry and community organisations. With these changes, we will get the right training to the right people, in the right regions, for the jobs Queenslanders need now.

Community-based not-for-profit organisations can apply for funding to deliver projects that support unemployed and underemployed Queenslanders to gain the qualifications and skills they need to enter and stay in the workforce.

Support is offered to:

• young people (including those in and transitioned from out-of-home care)
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• people with disability
• mature age job seekers
• women re-entering the workforce
• veterans and ex-Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families
• people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• recently released prisoners.

Local councils, peak body associations, and registered training organisations may also apply under some programs.

Apply for funding

There are 2 funding rounds each financial year. First and second rounds generally open February/March and August/September respectively.

Resources for organisations

The Skilling Queenslanders for Work fact sheet provides an overview of the initiative.

The participant eligibility fact sheet explains who is eligible to participate in projects under each of the initiative's programs, as well as common situations organisations may need to respond to when assessing project applicants.

Funding guidelines for each program can be found on the individual program pages below.

The provider kit has information and resources for funded organisations.

Programs

Community Work Skills assists unemployed and underemployed Queensland job seekers to gain nationally recognised skills and qualifications up to a certificate III level and prepare for work.

Work Skills Traineeships employs disadvantaged Queensland job seekers for up to 6 months on projects that benefit the community. Participants will complete a Certificate I in Workplace Skills, Conservation and Ecosystem Management, Construction, Hospitality or Retail Services.

Get Set for Work provides intensive employment and training assistance over a 12-month period to young, disengaged Queenslanders aged 15–24 years.

Community Foundation Skills assists disadvantaged Queenslanders with low-level language, literacy, numeracy and digital (LLND) skills to gain the knowledge and confidence to participate successfully in a modern knowledge economy.

Ready for Work assists disadvantaged Queenslanders to transition into the workforce by providing courses of up to 6–8 weeks focused on job search assistance and training. Ready for Work has merged into an expanded Community Work Skills program.

Youth Skills provides nationally recognised training and employment support for 15–24-year-olds who are engaged with, or at risk of engaging with, Youth Justice Services, Queensland Police Service or Queensland Corrective Services. Youth Skills has merged into an expanded Get Set for Work program.

Skill Up assists adults 25 years and older to upskill or reskill in entry level positions in high priority industries to maximise existing and future job opportunities. Skill Up has merged into an expanded Community Work Skills program.

First Start provides wage subsidies to local councils and not-for-profit community-based organisations/industry groups to employ young people and disadvantaged job seekers in traineeships. The program allows job seekers to gain nationally recognised qualifications and at least 12-months employment as a trainee. View the First Start guidelines for funding 2025–26 for more information.