Fees and Funding

QLD Government Funding

Information for students:  Career Start | Career Boost | VETiS

Career Start, Career Boost & VETiS are funded by the Queensland Government Department of Trade, Employment and Training

Sea School International is an approved training provider under the Queensland Government’s Career Start, Career Boost & VETiS programs.

These programs provide eligible Queensland residents with access to government-subsidised training aligned to industry needs. A student co-contribution fee applies.

Career Start

Career Start supports Queensland job seekers to begin their career, move into more skilled roles, or gain full-time employment.

What Sea School International Offers Under Career Start.

Eligible students may access funded training for either:

• Certificate I
• Certificate II
• Certificate III

Training may be delivered under:

• The General Training Pathway, or
• An Apprenticeship or Traineeship Pathway (where applicable)

Under Career Start, you may access up to 2 funded training places through one of the following options:

• a qualification in a certificate III under the general training pathway and an apprenticeship or traineeship. If the apprenticeship or traineeship is completed first, you are not eligible to access a general training pathway qualification under Career Start;
  OR
• two apprenticeships and traineeships in either a certificate II or III (school-based apprenticeships and traineeships are included in this total).

Career Boost

Career Boost helps Queenslanders to upskill, advance in their current role, move into new roles, or progress to further education.

What Sea School International Offers Under Career Boost

Sea School International delivers Career Boost funding for:

• The MARSS00008 Shipboard Safety Skill Set only

Eligible students may access up to two funded ESS Skill Sets, where applicable under Queensland Government funding rules.

Please note:

• Sea School International does not offer Career Boost funding for Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma qualifications, or higher-level apprenticeships and traineeships.
• General Training Pathway funding is limited to one funded qualification only (see Important Funding Limitation ).
• Previous access to funded programs may affect eligibility.

VET in Schools (VETiS) 2026

Queensland school students can undertake nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET) qualifications while they are still at school. VET courses can be undertaken in Years 10, 11 and 12.

What Sea School International Offers Under VETiS.

Eligible students may access funded training for:

• MAR20324 Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 NC)

Students can undertake VET at school:

• as part of their school studies – delivered and resourced by a school that is also a registered training organisation (RTO)
• by enrolling with an external RTO – funded either by the Queensland Government's VET in Schools program or through fee-for-service arrangements, where fees are paid by an individual such as a student or parent, or another entity such as a community or industry group
• as a school-based apprentice or trainee – funded either by the Queensland Government or fee-for-service arrangements.

Eligibility for funded training

A student in Year 10, 11 and 12 can undertake a:

• funded certificate I or II – general training
• funded school-based apprenticeship or traineeship

Points to note:

• VETiS students are not supported to undertake more than one DTET-funded qualification at the same time. However, they could do one DTET-funded qualification, a fee-for-service qualification and a qualification delivered by their school concurrently (at the same time), as detailed in the VETiS summary of eligibility table.
• There is no DTET requirement for a student to do a certificate I or II before they do a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship. Career Tasters will provide an opportunity for students to try a skill area before enrolling in a qualification.

VETiS 2026 summary of eligibility table provides an overview of eligibility requirements for the VETiS 2026 program.

Are you eligible for the Career Start & Career Boost Programs?

To be eligible for Queensland Government funded training, you must:

• Be 15 years of age or older and no longer at school
• Permanently live in Queensland
• Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident (including humanitarian entrants), or hold an eligible temporary visa

Additional Qualification Eligibility Rules Apply

For Career Start (General Training Pathway):

• You must not have completed a Certificate III or higher qualification within the last 10 years*
• You must not be enrolled in another qualification (even if deferred)

*Qualifications completed at school and foundation skills qualifications do not count.

For Career Boost (ESS Skill Set):

• Qualification level restrictions relating to Certificate IV or higher do not apply to skill sets
• You must still meet Queensland residency and citizenship requirements
• You must not be enrolled in another qualification

Eligibility for apprenticeships and traineeships (Career Start only) also requires an approved training contract and compliance with Queensland Government funding limits.

Sea School International delivers Career Start and Career Boost as an approved training provider.

Are you eligible for a concession?

The Queensland Government aims to provide additional support to those who require further skills development.

Proof of the following eligibility criteria is required for a concessional co-contribution. You must either:

• Hold a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or be the partner/dependant of a card holder OR
• Be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person

How to Apply:

• Complete the Online Enrolment Application Form
• Complete the QLD Government Funding Application Form below.
• If approved, you will receive a booking confirmation and invoice reflecting the student contribution amount
• If further documentation is required, you will be contacted
• If unsuccessful, you will be notified in writing

Please note:
All required documents must be submitted two weeks prior to the course commencement date. Funding cannot be reviewed once the course has commenced.

Important Funding Limitation

Under Queensland Government funding rules:

You can only access ONE government-funded qualification under a General Training Pathway.

Sea School Maritime Qualifications Government Funded Courses	Student Co‐Contribution Non‐Concession Fee	Student Co‐Contribution Concession Fee
MAR30924 Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 metres Near Coastal)	$1100	$500
MAR30824 Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 Near Coastal)	$750	$500
MAR20424 Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 3 Near Coastal)	$500	$99
MAR20324 Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal)	$500	$99
MAR10224 Certificate I in Maritime Operations (General Purpose Hand)	$500	$99
MARSS00008 Shipboard Safety skill set*	$300	$150

Please note that these fees are the course fees only and do not cover additional fees such as those relating to the final assessment, AMSA submission or marine radio application fee.

*Offered under 'Career Boost' only