From 1 July 2007, Australian Apprentices who are aged under 30 when they commence their Australian Apprenticeship and are in their first or second year of training at the Certificate III or IV level in a trade experiencing a skills shortage may be eligible for tax-free payments of $2000 paid in four $500 instalments.
Apprenticeship Wage Top-Up payments will be paid in six-monthly instalments of $500 at the 6, 12, 18 and 24 month points of the Australian Apprenticeship which fall after 1 July 2007. Payments will be available on a pro-rata basis to part-time and Australian School-based Apprentices at the 12, 24, 36 and 48 month points. Both new and existing Australian Apprentices will receive their first payment from January 2008.
For more information contact your Australian Apprenticeships Centre or call the Australian Apprenticeships referral line on 13 38 73.
Apprentice Wage Top-Up Fact Sheet 