What is the Apprenticeship/traineeship pathway?

This pathway is part of the Australian Apprenticeships system and requires all parties to sign an Apprenticeship and Traineeship Training Contract (the Contract) as defined by the Further Education and Training Act 2014 (the Act).

This pathway provides individuals with the skills and support to start their career. The program provides training to help support those already employed to move into more skilled roles or full-time employment.

For apprenticeships and traineeships, an individual must be employed as an apprentice or trainee. Click here for more information on the Career Start Funding

What Qualifications are subsidised?

CHC30121 – Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Are you eligible to participate?

Under Career Start, a student may access up to 2 subsidised training places through one of the following options:

  • a qualification in a certificate III under the general training pathway and an apprenticeship/traineeship, noting that if the apprenticeship/traineeship is done first, the student is no longer eligible to access a general training pathway qualification under Career Start or
  • two apprenticeships/traineeships at either a certificate II or III level, including school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs).

In addition, under Career Start, students may access one subsidised introductory-level skill set.

A student cannot do 2 general training pathway qualifications under Career Start.

To be eligible to receive government subsidised training, the apprentice or trainee must:

  • are currently employed as a Queensland apprentice or trainee (under a registered training contract) in an eligible apprenticeship or traineeship Qualification through this Program;
  • not currently be enrolled in a Qualification;
  • not be a school student; and
  • not exceed a maximum of two government-funded apprenticeships/traineeships within a 10-year period.

How can you participate?

It’s important to take the time to carefully consider your training options and compare different providers, their fees, and training schedules before committing to a course of study. Once you’ve found the right fit, you can take the next step and enrol in this course to start building your skills and advancing your career.

Do you need to contribute to the cost of training?

Are you under 25? 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 apprenticeships or traineeships from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2027.


Are you 25 and over? The contribution for your course is set at $1.60 per nominal training hour for each unit of competency. The hours are dictated by DTET and are reviewed yearly. The current course cost is: $$1737.60. This fee can be paid by an employer, a family member, a friend, or another organisation.y an employer, a family member, a friend, or another organisation.

Am I eligible for a concession?

The concession cost for students who are eligible is $695.04. To be eligible you must meet any of the following criteria:

  • under 17 years of age at the end of February in the year training is provided
  • not at school and has not completed year 12
  • holds a Health Care Card or Veteran or Pensioner Concession Card or is a partner or dependant of someone who does or
  • identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander

What is included with the Co-Contribution fees?

  • Online support and guided learning
  • All Course Materials
  • All assessment activities
  • Live Online or face-to-face training options
  • Direct contact with your trainer
  • Support throughout your course

How can I pay for my course?

Quarterly Installments: Students will be invoiced for their co-contribution fee over four instalments, three-monthly, in advance. Course fees are to be paid via bank transfer to MECTA by the due date on your invoice .

How To Apply

Step 1: Enrolment Enquiry – To let us know that you are interested in studying the Diploma Early Childhood Education and Care complete an Enquiry Form online. We will assess your eligibility for Higher Levels Skills Funding. Once we have received this form and confirmed eligibility we will send you all the information regarding your course in our handbook. You will be required to send back a confirmation that you would like to go ahead training with us.

Step 2: Complete course onboarding – You will be sent a link to log into our Student Management System Axcelerate to complete our online onboarding. Once this is complete, you will recieve an Enrolment Confirmation.

Step 3: Commence Training – You will be enrolled into the Nationally Recognised Course you have chosen with MECTA and you can commence your training.