As an employer of an Australian Apprentice, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the Australian Government to help with hiring, training and retaining an apprentice.
From 1 July 2022, the new Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System commenced, providing financial assistance to employers of Australian Apprentices, and to Australian Apprentices themselves that secures the pipeline of skilled workers required to support Australia’s economic recovery.
Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System
In its first phase, from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2024, the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System will support employers of apprentices in priority and non-priority occupations with a wage subsidy; with apprentices in priority occupations entitled to access direct financial assistance. Priority occupations are those listed on the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List.
From 1 July 2024, following a checkpoint to assess progress, support will be available for priority occupations only, through a mix of employer and apprentice payments, including a hiring incentive for employers; and training support payments for apprentices.
For more information on employer incentives in the new Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System (AAIS), refer to the AAIS factsheet, AAIS Frequently Asked Questions, or contact your local Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider.
Following the introduction of the AAIS from 1 July 2022, employers claiming incentives for an apprentice or trainee who commenced before 1 July 2022 will continue to be supported under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program.
Support for Women in non-traditional trades
Additional support is available for women who commence in eligible trade occupations on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List.
Eligible occupations are occupations that have had historically low rates of female participation.
Eligible Australian Apprentices will have increased access to comprehensive wraparound support through the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network.
This includes personalised advice and information on career options and apprenticeships pathways, pastoral care, career and industry mentoring, access to professional networks and entrepreneurship training. These non-financial supports will help more women to complete their apprenticeship and go on to have successful careers.
Regional Apprenticeships Boost
The Australian Government will expand support for eligible employers and Australian Apprentices in regional and remote Australia to support greater apprenticeship completions. The measure is part of the $2 billion Regional Accelerator Program, which is topping up existing Commonwealth programs to grow regional economies.
The Regional Apprenticeships Boost will provide a 5 per cent boost to employers of Australian Apprentices in priority occupations in regional and remote areas between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2024, on top of what they would receive under the new Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System.
In-Training Support will also be expanded, providing 29,000 additional places for regional and remote Australian Apprentices, with personalised assistance for those at risk of not completing their apprenticeship.
Support provided may include pastoral care, career and industry mentoring, counselling and mediation, as well as referrals to specialist services.
Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements and Completing Apprenticeship Commencements
The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy supported businesses and Group Training Organisations to take on new apprentices and trainees, to build a pipeline of skilled workers to support a sustained economic recovery.
Through the subsidy, any business or Group Training Organisation that engaged an Australian Apprentice between 5 October 2020 and 30 June 2022 may have been eligible for a subsidy of 50 per cent of wages paid to a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee. This covers a 12-month period from the date of commencement, to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter.
After 12 months of this support, employers would of then be eligible to transition to the time-limited Completing Apprenticeship Commencements (CAC) wage subsidy for the second and third years of an apprenticeship.
Under the CAC, eligible employers would receive a 10 per cent wage subsidy in the second year of an eligible apprenticeship, up to a maximum of $1,500 per quarter per apprentice, and a 5 per cent wage subsidy in the third year of their apprenticeship, to a maximum of $750 per quarter per apprentice.
The BAC and CAC were available to employers of any size, industry or geographic location.
Employers are encouraged to submit claims as soon as possible after the relevant claim period opens.
Assistance for Australian Apprentices with disability
The Australian Government provides additional support to Australian Apprentices with disability through the Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS).
DAAWS is payable to employers who employ apprentices who meet the eligibility criteria.
DAAWS is also available to employers whose apprentice becomes disabled during their apprenticeship.
To determine your eligibility and to apply for the DAAWS contact your local Apprenticeship Network provider.
Help is also available through the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF).
The EAF gives financial aid to eligible people so they can buy work-related modifications, equipment, help and services.
Employers can access the EAF through Disability Employment Services or jobactive organisations.
