It's easier to make decisions about training when you've thought about what matters most to you. Use these steps to figure out which course and provider is right for you.
Before you start looking for a course, take some time to reflect on what you want.
Your interests
- What do you like doing?
- What skills are you interested in developing?
- What are you good at?
Your goals
- Are you looking to start a new job, change careers, or build skills in your current role?
- What kind of job or career do you want to progress into in the future?
- Which type of qualification will help you achieve your goals?
- Is training the right option for you, or would university be a better fit?
- Will training help you reach your personal and professional goals?
- Do you want to keep earning money while you learn?
Your lifestyle and preferences
- Where do you want to work—in a city or a regional area?
- How many hours each week do you want to work?
- How much money do you want to make?
- Do you want to work from home?
- What kind of job or career is the best fit for your lifestyle?
- Do you like working inside or outside?
- Do you like working with people or do you prefer working independently, or a mix of both?
Once you’ve considered your personal situation, it’s time to explore your options.
Search courses by job or industry
If you already have a job or industry in mind, start there! Try searching for related courses.
Not sure yet? Get some ideas with the Pathfinder.
Check job demand
If job security is important to you, you can do some research.
- Look into industries with strong demand or skill shortages in Queensland, because this can lead to good opportunities. The Jobs and Skills Australia website has useful data on job shortages in Queensland.
- Try searching for jobs you're interested in. Are there many ads for jobs you'd want to apply for?
Consider what financial help is available
There are lots of ways to make training more affordable.
The Queensland Government offers funding for many courses. Can you get financial help with the training you want to do?
For more information, see Get help paying for your training.
Compare course features
If you're deciding between different courses, you could consider what each course offers.
- Are you interested in the course's content?
- Does the course offer the right balance of hands-on and classroom learning for you?
- Are there any entry requirements, like needing experience or completing a different course first?
- How much does the course cost?
- Are you eligible for government funding to help cover costs?
- Do you want to get paid while you study? If so, can you do the course as an apprenticeship or traineeship?
- Do you want to get a qualification at the end of your study?
If you know which course you want to do, the next step is to choose your training provider. Different providers offer different courses and delivery options.
Before you choose a provider, it's a good idea to:
- ask the provider to confirm specific details about the course that are important to you, like how the course is delivered or who will be teaching the course
- do some research on the provider's reputation—online reviews could be helpful
- check the provider is a registered training organisation—If you're aiming to get a qualification from your training, the qualification must be issued by an RTO to be valid.
Choosing a provider for government funding
Some training providers are approved by the Queensland Government to deliver government-funded training. The providers who are approved are called Skills Assure Suppliers (SAS). Because these providers go through a rigorous process to be approved, you can trust that they are delivering high-quality training.
The easiest way to see if a provider is a Skills Assure Supplier is to check the relevant course page on this website. If the provider is approved, their card will say 'SAS provider'.
Once you've done your research, you may feel ready to decide which training is right for you.
If you need help, consider getting advice from trusted sources. You could:
- contact your training provider to check details like delivery modes and cost
- talk to friends and family about their training and work experiences
- read reviews and feedback online about courses and providers.