As part of the Government’s Economic Response to COVID-19, and commitment to a skilled economy, an
additional $1.2 billion boost has been announced to encourage employers to take on 100,000 new
apprentices and trainees.
1. What is Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements?
Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements is a new government wage subsidy to encourage employers of
any size or industry, Australia-wide, to take on apprentices and trainees.
This wage subsidy is in addition to the existing $2.8 billion Supporting Apprentices and Trainees
wage subsidy.
2. How much will be available to employers?
Eligible employers and Group Training Organisations can apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of
the commencing or recommencing apprentice’s or trainee’s gross wages paid from 5 October 2020 until
30 September 2021, up to $7,000 per quarter.
Payments will be made quarterly in arrears directly into the recipient’s nominated bank account.
Final claims for payment must be lodged by 31 December 2021.
3. Does the business size matter?
Employers of any size, or industry, Australia-wide who commence an Australian Apprentice between 5
October 2020 and 30 September 2021 may be eligible under this program.
4. Are Group Training Organisations eligible for the subsidy?
Yes. Group Training Organisations are eligible for the subsidy.
Group Training Organisations must pass on the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements payments to the
host employer or may retain the payment where an Australian Apprentice or trainee is no
longer hosted to a host employer.
5. Who is eligible?
Your business or Group Training Organisation may be eligible if:
• you engage an Australian Apprentice or trainee between 5 October 2020 and 30 September 2021;
and
• your Australian Apprentice or trainee is undertaking a Certificate II or higher qualification
and has a training contract that is formally approved by the state training authority.
Additional eligibility requirements will apply to existing workers.
6. What are the changes to eligibility for existing workers?
From 28 October 2020, an employer, or host employer (if using a Group Training Organisation), will
be eligible for the subsidy for up to 30 existing worker commencements when:
• an existing worker transfers from a casual employment arrangement to either a part-time or
full-time Australian Apprenticeship; or
• an existing worker transfers from a part-time employment arrangement to a full-time
Australian Apprenticeship.
There will be no changes for commencements of existing workers in trade-based Australian
Apprenticeships.
7. What happens if an existing worker who does not meet the revised eligibility criteria has already commenced?
As long as all other eligibility criteria are met, an Australian Apprentice who has an approved
Training Contract, with a commencement date between 5 October and 27 October 2020, will be eligible
to attract the subsidy for their employer. The revised eligibility and cap will only apply to
commencements from 28 October 2020.
8. When will Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements be available?
The following table explains when eligible employers will be able to submit a claim for the
Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements payments in arrears:
Date Claims Open
1 January 2021
1 April 2021
1 July 2021
1 October 2021
Wage Period
5 October 2020 to 31 December 2020
1 January 2021 to 31 March 2021
1 April 2021 to 30 June 2021
1 July 2021 to 30 September 2021
Final claims for payment must be lodged by 31 December 2021.
9. How are payments made?
Payments are made directly to the recipient’s nominated bank account.
10. How do employers register and apply for the subsidy?
An eligible employer should advise of intent to claim Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements using
the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements Registration Form during sign up of a new Australian
Apprentice. The form will be available from your Australian Apprenticeship Support Network
provider.
11. Are employers eligible for the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements measure if they are receiving other Commonwealth subsidies?
No, an employer will not be eligible for the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement subsidy where the
apprentice is receiving any other form of Australian Government wage subsidy e.g. Supporting
Apprentices and Trainees, JobKeeper or the JobMaker Hiring Credit.
Where an employer is eligible for multiple subsidies, the employer will need to choose which
payment best supports their circumstances.
12. Are employers also eligible for other payments under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program?
Yes, employers and Group Training Organisations that receive Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements
may be eligible for other incentives available under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives
Program, subject to eligibility criteria being met.
13. What about apprentices who commenced before 5 October 2020?
Apprentices who commenced prior to 5 October 2020 will not be eligible for Boosting Apprenticeship
Commencements as the purpose of this subsidy is to drive growth in new commencements.
The Government does however provide a range of other incentives to employers and Australian
Apprentices to support recruitment and encourage participation in the Australian Apprenticeships
system.
Through the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program, eligible employers may attract financial
incentives for the commencement and completion of an Australian Apprenticeship. The program also
contains a range of targeted incentives to areas of national priority and skills needs and to
support employers and Australian Apprentices in rural and regional Australia.
More information about the incentives is available at: www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au.
14. Is there a limit of Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements per employer?
The only limits that apply relate to existing workers. Employers can receive a subsidy under
Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements for any number of other apprentices or trainees, provided
they meet the eligibility criteria. However, your Australian Apprentice must be one of the first
100,000 who commences or recommences on or after 5 October 2020, with an approved Training Contract
and registers for the subsidy.
15. Where can employers find further information?
For further information on how to apply for the subsidy, including information on eligibility,
contact an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider.
Details of providers in each region is available on the Australian Apprenticeships website.
Copied from Australian Government, Department of Education, Skills and Employment
Press Release 28th October 2020
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