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.
Certificate 3 Guarantee Courses
Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance (Perth Only)
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing OR Disability) (Perth Only)
Certificate lll in Early Childhood Education & Care (Perth Only)
Certificate III in Community Services (Perth Only)
Diploma of Early Childhood Education & Care (Perth Only)
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.
Government funding Scheme by state
FAQ
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.
