User Choice (Apprenticeship and Trainee Funding)
The User Choice program provides a public funding contribution towards the cost of training and assessment services for eligible Queensland apprentices and trainees. The program recognises that employment-based training aligned to skills shortages is a critical priority for the Queensland Government.
Eligibility
To be eligible to receive subsidised training under the User Choice program you must:
- be employed in an approved apprenticeship or traineeship.
- have entered a training contract for a qualification funded by the government.
- have selected a government-approved training provider.
- Apprentices and trainees can only receive one government contribution for a User Choice funded qualification at any single point in time, i.e. a student is not funded to undertake two apprenticeships or traineeships at the same time.
- In addition, apprentices and trainees, including SATs, can only receive a maximum of two government funding contributions under the current User Choice program.
- Please contact your SAS prior to signing up as there are other rules specifically related to funding for SATs,
Qualifications and subsidy levels
| CODE | QUALIFICATION |
| NWP30222 | Certificate III in Water Industry Operations |
Information about funded qualifications and subsidy levels is available.
How much will I need to pay?
The government pays part of your training costs directly to Water Training Australia.
The course costs may vary depending on the qualification and priority of the qualification. Priority Skills List fact sheet (desbt.qld.gov.au) and User Choice qualification and price list.
| CODE | QUALIFICATION | Subsidy Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NWP30222 | Certificate III in Water Industry Operations | $7820 |
Free apprenticeships for under 21s
To be eligible, an apprentice or trainee must be under 21 years of age and commence in a Training Contract on or after 1 July 2019 in a designated Free apprenticeship qualification specified on the department’s User Choice Price List.
Eligibility
Other eligible apprentices or trainees are those:
• enrolled in a qualification under the Year 12
Fee Free initiative prior to 1 July 2019 and will continue their qualification under Free
apprenticeships
• under 21 years of age from 30 June 2019 and commenced in a Training Contract prior to 1 July 2019 in a designated Free apprenticeship qualification. Free apprenticeships will apply to units of
competency/modules commencing on or after 1 July 2019.
Free Apprenticeships for under 25s
Free Apprenticeships for under 25s offers fully subsidised training for priority training.
Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s will cover the cost of training for Queensland apprentices or trainees who commenced or are undertaking one of the high priority apprenticeship or traineeship qualifications from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2024.
Eligibility
To be eligible, an apprentice or trainee must be aged between 21 years and under 25
years of age and commence in a Training Contract on or after 1 January 2021 in a
designated Free apprenticeship qualification specified on the department’s User Choice
Price List. Other eligible apprentices or trainees are those:
• aged between 21 years and under 25 years from 31 December 2020 and commenced in a Training Contract prior to 1 January 2021 in a designated Free apprenticeship
qualification. Free apprenticeships will apply to units of competency/modules
commencing on or after 1 January 2021. These apprentices must also not be
claiming under the Free apprenticeships for under 21s initiative.
A compulsory co-contribution fee (a co-contribution fee) must be paid to Water Training Australia, dependant on the units selected, at $1.60 per nominal unit hour. Dependant on the learners training plan and training delivery location, additional non-direct training expenses may be applicable. Notification of costs will be advised prior to enrolment.
Please refer to the links below for Compulsory co-contribution fee NWP30222 Certificate III in Water Industry Operations Water Training Australia Units Delivery.
Please refer to the link for Compulsory co-contribution fee NWP30222 Certificate III in Water Industry Operations Water Training Australia Units Example Delivery.
The compulsory co-contribution fee may be paid on your behalf by an employer or a third party but cannot be paid or waived by the training provider, or any organisation related to the training provider, unless approved by the Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training.
If you are a school-based apprentice or trainee, you do not have to pay the co-contribution fee.
More Information
Visit the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training website.
Queensland VET Investment Program
Higher-Level Skills Program
The Higher-Level Skills program provides eligible individuals with access to a subsidised training place in selected certificate IV level or above qualifications, and priority skill sets.
The aim is to assist individuals to gain the higher-level skills required to secure employment or career advancement in priority industries or to transition to university to continue their studies. Employers may also be able to access training to address workforce development needs.
Eligibility
You must:
• be a Queensland resident
• be aged 15 years or over, and no longer at school
• be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident (including humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency
• not hold, or be enrolled in, a certificate IV level or higher qualification (not including qualifications completed at school and foundations skills training).
Qualifications
| CODE | Qualification |
| NWP40120 | Certificate IV in Water Industry Operations |
How much will I need to pay?
The government pays part of your training costs directly to your chosen training provider.
| CODE | QUALIFICATION | Non-Concessional Subsidy Amount | Concessional Subsidy Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| NWP40120 | Certificate IV in Water Industry Operations | $5,691 | $6,911 |
A compulsory co-contribution fee (a co-contribution fee) must be paid to Water Training Australia, dependant on the units selected, at $1.80 per nominal unit hour. Dependant on the learners training plan and training delivery location, additional non-direct training expenses may be applicable. Notification of costs will be advised prior to enrolment.
Please refer to the links below for Compulsory co-contribution fee NWP40120 Certificate IV in Water Industry Operations Water Training Australia Units.
Please refer to the links below Compulsory Co-Contribution fee NWP40120 Certificate IV in Water Industry Operations Water Training Australia Units Example Delivery.
The compulsory co-contribution fee may be paid on your behalf by an employer or a third party but cannot be paid or waived by the training provider, or any organisation related to the training provider, unless approved by the Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training.
Please see the Priority Skills List (QLD Vet Investment Program)
More information
Higher Level Skills – student fact sheet (desbt.qld.gov.au)