TradieStart apprentice incentive
Queensland construction businesses can register for an incentive to help with the cost of hiring and supporting an apprentice employed from 1 August 2026.
Registrations are open for the first 2,500 eligible apprentices.
Check your eligibility
There are 2 streams: Stream 1 for small businesses, and Stream 2 for medium and large businesses and group training organisations.
Stream 1
To be eligible for an incentive under Stream 1, your business must:
- be a small business with 1-19 employees (excluding contractors)
- have a maximum annual turnover of less than $10 million
- employ a Queensland-registered construction apprentice who commenced or recommenced from 1 August 2026 and has completed probation (generally 90 days)
- have no prior record of employing an apprentice under a training contract in Queensland
- complete a free TAFE Queensland micro-credential in mentoring, workplace safety or supervision before claiming payment.
If you already employ an apprentice, you may be eligible for the Small Business Apprenticeship Program instead.
Small businesses qualify for a bonus if the apprentice identifies with a priority cohort — veterans, women, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or people with a disability.
Your apprentice must be one of the first 1,500 registered for an eligible apprenticeship.
Stream 2
To be eligible for an incentive under Stream 2, your business must:
- be a medium or large business or group training organisation with 20 or more employees (excluding contractors)
- have an annual turnover of at least $10 million
- employ a new Queensland-registered construction apprentice who commenced from 1 August 2026, has completed probation, and identifies with a priority cohort.
Group training organisations must also commit to reducing the service fee charged to the host employer of the apprentice.
Your apprentice must be one of the first 1,000 registered for an eligible apprenticeship.
Eligible apprenticeships
-
- AHC30921 Certificate III in Landscape Construction
- CPC33020 Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying
- CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry
- CPC31420 Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing
- CPC32820 Certificate III in Fire Protection
- CPC32720 Certificate III in Gas Fitting
- CPC31920 Certificate III in Joinery
- CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating
- CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing
- CPC32620 Certificate III in Roof Plumbing
- CPC30820 Certificate III in Roof Tiling
- CPC31020 Certificate III in Solid Plastering
- CPC32320 Certificate III in Stonemasonry
- CPC31220 Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining
- CPC31320 Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling
- CPC30120 Certificate III in Shopfitting
- CPC30216 Certificate III in Signs and Graphics
- MEM31922/MEM31925 Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade
- MEM30219 Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade
- MEM30819 Certificate III in Locksmithing
- MEM31322 Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
- MSF30422 Certificate III in Glass and Glazing
- MSF30822 Certificate III in Flooring Technology
- MSF30322 Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology
- UEE32220/UEE32225 Certificate III in Air-conditioning and Refrigeration
- UEE32120 Certificate III in Appliance Service
- UEE30420 Certificate III in Data and Voice Communications
- UEE33020 Certificate III in Electrical Fitting
- UEE30920 Certificate III in Electronics and Communications
- UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
- UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician and UEE31220 Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control (dual apprenticeship)
- UEE31020 Certificate III in Fire Protection Control
- UEE31220 Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control
- UEE31420 Certificate III in Security Equipment
- UEE40620 Certificate IV in Electrotechnology – Systems Electrician
What we pay
An eligible employer can claim up to 2 payments while the eligible apprentice is employed.
We pay incentives at specified employment milestones. The amount depends on the apprentice's age when they start their apprenticeship and employment with your business.
Stream 1: Small business
Small businesses can only claim for either the no bonus payment or the priority cohort bonus payment, not both.
| No bonus payment milestones | Under 21 | 21 or over |
|---|---|---|
| 1. 50% paid after 6 months | $5,000 | $7,000 |
| 2. 50% paid after 18 months* | $5,000 | $7,000 |
| Priority cohort bonus payment milestones | Under 21 | 21 or over |
|---|---|---|
| 1. 50% paid after 6 months | $6,000 | $8,000 |
| 2. 50% paid after 18 months* | $6,000 | $8,000 |
*We make the final payment at completion of the apprenticeship if this occurs before the apprentice reaches 18 months of employment. The apprentice needs to have been employed for at least 6 months.
Stream 2: Medium and large businesses and group training organisations
| Payment milestones | Under 21 | 21 or over |
|---|---|---|
| 1. 50% paid after 6 months | $5,000 | $7,000 |
| 2. 50% paid after 18 months | $5,000 | $7,000 |
Registration form
A registration form will be available from 1 August 2026.
Once your business meets the eligibility requirements and your apprentice has completed probation, use the online registration form to register.
We'll process your registration within 30 business days and let you know the outcome.
Claim form
A claim form will be available from early 2027.
After we approve your registration and an employment milestone occurs, use the online claim form to request an incentive payment.
We'll process your payment within 5 business days of approving your claim.
More information
- Read the TradieStart funding guidelines.
- Refer to our frequently asked questions (FAQs).
- Phone us on 1800 210 210.
- Email us at tradiestart@dtet.qld.gov.au.
TradieStart is a joint initiative of the Queensland Government and Construction Skills Queensland to support the construction workforce in Queensland.