What is the General Pathway Training?

General Training Pathway provides individuals with the skills and support to start their career. The program provides training to help individuals find a job and support those already employed to move into more skilled roles or full-time employment.

Qualifications and skill sets delivered through a general training pathway are available for direct enrolment and do not require the student to enter into a training (apprenticeship/traineeship) contract with an employer.

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 access a subsidised training place under Career Start, 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 qualification) completed within the last 10 years (qualifications completed as a school student and foundation skills qualification do not count).

  • not be enrolled in another qualification, even if it is on hold or deferred, whether funded by DTET or not (foundation skills qualifications do not count)
  • 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.

Do you need to contribute to the cost of training?

Yes – Given the benefits that training provides to your career and future while undertaking training, you are required to contribute towards your training through a co-contribution fee. If you qualify for funding, your contribution is greatly reduced – you’ll pay just $255 for the entire course.

The fee can be paid on your behalf by your employer, a family member, a friend, or another organisation. However, it cannot be paid or waived by the training provider or any related organisation unless approved by the department.

What is included with the Co-Contribution fees?

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

The module HLTAID012 – Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting, is to be completed with an external company at the student’s cost and a statement of attainment submitted to MECTA for a Credit transfer.

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 proceed with 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 receive an Enrolment Confirmation.

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