Micro-credentialing Program

The Micro-credentialing Program provides an opportunity to support changing workplaces by enabling the provision of focused training for new or transitioning employees in specific skills. This will support businesses and industries to adopt innovations and improve productivity.

Successful applicants receive up to $250,000 to design, develop and deliver one or more micro-credentials aligned to specific industry skill gaps. The skill outcomes targeted for the program will not be nationally recognised (i.e. vocational education and training (VET)), as these outcomes can be supported under existing VET investment programs.

The program aims to:

• support a range of approaches to micro-credentials targeting priority industry skills by industry and through regional partnerships
• improve employability of participants by providing skills in demand from industry
• and
• increase labour productivity of enterprises through investment in technical, digital or other emerging issues not addressed through existing VET products.

Priority areas for micro-credentials

The priority areas for micro-credentials are

• digital or technical disruption that requires skill bridging or updating
• regulatory, licensing, or other compulsory requirement that imposes new requirements on industry and workers
• emerging health and safety issues and/or protecting vulnerable workers
• other emerging issues that are not addressed through existing VET products.

Micro-credentialing program principles

1. Complementary to the VET system: Micro-credentials developed for this program should seek to address skill requirements for industry or enterprises that are not covered in national Training Packages or accredited courses.
2. Aligned to workforce skills need: Micro-credentials developed must be a clearly defined and timely training solution in response to emerging issues and/or new requirements.
3. Industry driven: Micro-credentials developed for this program should be industry driven and supported by employers in the applicable sector.
4. Accessible to participants: Successful projects will tailor training to suit the diverse needs of participants and will offer additional support to participants where needed.
5. Portable: Micro-credentials need to be recognised by the industry, accepted by employers and be able to be accessed by the participant in the future.
6. Sustainable: Government investment in micro-credentials mainly provides seed funding to test industry demand or address emerging skills issues for potential future development.

Application process

How to apply

Applications for the 2025–26 funding round (Round 4) are now open and will close at 5pm, 30 January 2026 (Australian Eastern Standard Time).

• Review the following:
  • the guidelines for funding (PDF, 322KB) to confirm your eligibility
  • frequently asked questions (FAQs) (PDF, 192KB)
  • the sample services agreement (PDF, 653KB) to understand the terms and conditions including KPIs, reporting obligations and payment information.
• Prepare responses to application questions in a separate working document by referring to the Micro-credentialing Application form for drafting or reference. Once you enter the online application portal to submit your content, there is no save and return function.
• Prepare the following supporting documents:
  • income and expenditure statements for past 2 financial years (mandatory)
  • a letter of endorsement (Word, 65KB) signed by your organisation’s legally responsible officer (mandatory)
  • resumes, qualifications or position descriptions for staff involved in delivering project (mandatory)
  • MCP project budget tool (XLSX, 29KB) (mandatory)
  • letters of support for the project from industry/employers (mandatory)
  • research findings and other evidence relevant to the project application (highly recommended).
• Submit your application and all necessary attachments by the closing date and time through the Micro-credentialing Program 2025-26 (Round 4) application form. Keep a copy of your application and any supporting documents. Please note that the platform does not support a ‘save and return’ function.
• An acknowledgement email will be sent to you once you have successfully submitted your application. If you do not receive an automated email notification within 24 hours of submission, please email vpi@dtet.qld.gov.au.

Applicant eligibility

Who is eligible to apply

Organisations eligible to apply for this funding round are:

• Industry Skills and Jobs Advisors (approved by the department)
• unions
• industry peak bodies
• regional industry bodies
• employers (on behalf of an industry)
• Queensland's public VET providers (TAFE Queensland and CQUniversity).

For further information, read the Micro-credentialing Program 2025–26 frequently asked questions (PDF, 192KB).

How applications are assessed

Applications are assessed

• against set assessment criteria, including:
  • your organisation’s capacity to manage the proposed project
  • if it is addressing a skills need
  • if there are demonstrated links to, and support, from local employers, industry and other stakeholders
• by an assessment panel established by the Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET)

Key dates

• Applications open on 28 November 2025
• Applications close at 5pm, 30 January 2026
• Outcome of funding process to be released in May 2026
• Successful projects to commence between May – June 2026

Key documents for 2025-26 funding round (Round 4)

• Guidelines for funding (PDF, 322KB)
• Frequently asked questions (PDF, 192KB)
• Sample services agreement (PDF, 653KB)
• Project budget tool template (XLSX, 29KB)
• Micro-credentialing Application form (PDF, 391KB)
• Letter of endorsement (Word, 65KB)

Funded projects

• 2024 (Round 3) list of successful projects (PDF, 449KB)
• 2024 (Round 2) list of successful projects (PDF, 540KB)
• 2023 (Round 1) list of successful projects (PDF, 156KB).