Career Boost will help Queenslanders to level-up at work, enabling them to grow their skills to existing or new roles, and to support productivity grown and workplace innovation.
The program delivers training to help individuals develop the higher-level skills needed to secure employment, advance their careers, or progress to further education and training.
Career Boost replaces funding previously available through the Higher Level Skills and User Choice programs.
Eligibility
Under Career Boost, a student may access either:
- one subsidised training place in either a certificate IV, diploma or advanced diploma qualification under the general training pathway
- or
- a higher level apprenticeship/traineeship in a certificate IV or above.
In addition, under Career Boost, students may access 2 subsidised skill sets in priority industries or sectors.
If the student has already accessed 2 apprenticeships/traineeships through a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SAT) or Career Start within the last 10 years, they are not eligible to undertake an apprenticeship/traineeship under Career Boost.
A student cannot do 2 general training pathway qualifications under Career Boost.
General training pathway
To access a subsidised training place under Career Boost, a student must meet the following criteria:
- aged 15 years or older
- not be a school student
- permanently reside in Queensland
- be an Australian citizen, or Australian permanent resident (includes humanitarian entrant), or a temporary resident with the right visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency, or a New Zealand citizen
- not already have a certificate IV or higher qualification (including tertiary qualifications) completed within the last 10 years* (qualifications started as a school student, and foundation skills qualifications don't count)
- not be enrolled in another qualification, even if it's on hold or deferred, whether funded by the Department of Trade, Employment and Training or not (foundation skills qualifications don't count).
*Note: This eligibility requirement doesn't apply to individuals seeking to enrol in a skill set.
Along with the eligibility criteria above, specific entry restrictions or exemptions may apply to certain subsidised qualifications and skill sets. These are set by industry or sector requirements, as well as national training package guidelines.
Apprenticeship or traineeship pathway
To be eligible to receive government subsidised training, the apprentice or trainee must:
- have entered into a training contract for a qualification that is funded by the department and be registered on the department's systems
- if from overseas, have a visa allowing them to work in Australia
- not have already completed 2 apprenticeship/traineeship qualifications within the last 10 years. This includes school-based apprenticeships or traineeships.
Related information
- Read the Career Boost 2025–28 program policy.
- Find out how to support your continuing students to complete their training.
- Learn more about the discontinued Higher Level Skills program.
- Learn more about the discontinued User Choice program.
- Find out about becoming a Skills Assure Supplier.
Last updated 5 August 2025
