As an employer of an Australian Apprentice, you may be eligible for financial support from the Australian Government to help offset the cost of taking on an apprentice.
The Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System (Incentives System) commenced on 1 July 2022 and aims to get apprentices working in secure jobs that are in demand, filling skill shortages now and into the future.
To claim and receive payments under the Incentives System, you must meet all primary eligibility requirements.
Primary eligibility requirements include:
- the Australian Apprentice’s citizenship or residency status
- employment and training arrangements
- lodging claim forms with supporting evidence within the specified time
- must have commenced or recommenced an Australian Apprenticeship under a new Training Contract on or after 1 July 2022; or
- recommenced an Australian Apprenticeship on or after 1 July 2022 after following a break greater than:
- 6 months if commencement was prior to 1 July 2022 or
- 12 months if commencement was on or after 1 July 2022.
Your eligibility for payment may be affected if the Australian Apprentice has previously completed the qualification, is an Existing Worker, or is a Custodial Australian Apprentice. Please refer to the Incentives System Guidelines for more details or speak with an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider.
Employers claiming incentives for an Australian Apprentice who commenced before 1 July 2022 will continue to be supported under the grandfathered Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program.
Priority Wage Subsidy
The Priority Wage Subsidy is a wage subsidy for employers of Australian Apprentices training towards an occupation listed on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. Employers can claim 10% of wages paid to the Australian Apprentice for the first and second 12-month period (up to $1,500 per quarter) and 5% of the wages paid to the Australian Apprentice for the third 12-month period (up to $750 per quarter).
Eligibility requirements include:
- all primary eligibility requirements
- the Australian Apprentice must be undertaking Certificate III or above qualification with an occupational outcome as listed on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List.
Please note, employers are not eligible to receive the Priority Wage Subsidy if they are in receipt of any other form of Australian Government equivalent assistance for the same Australian Apprenticeship simultaneously.
Further information can be found in the Incentives System Guidelines. To determine your eligibility and information about applying, contact an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider.
Hiring Incentive
The Hiring Incentive support Australian Apprentices undertaking a Certificate II or above qualification that is not listed on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. A payment of $1,750, for a full-time Australian Apprentice and $875 for part-time Australian Apprentice is made at 6 and 12 months.
Eligibility requirements include:
- all primary eligibility requirements
- the Australian Apprentice must be in-training with their employer at the Effect date
- The Australian Apprentice must be undertaking Certificate II or above qualification with an occupational outcome that is not listed on Australian Apprenticeships Priority List
Please note, employers are not eligible to receive both the Priority Wage Subsidy and the Hiring Incentive for the same Australian Apprenticeship.
Further information can be found in the Incentives System Guidelines. To determine your eligibility and information about applying, contact an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider.
Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support
The Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support aims to encourage employers to provide Australian Apprenticeships to people with disability who are undertaking a Certificate II or a higher-level qualification.
Employers of Australian Apprentices who have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) are eligible to attract the Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support.
Additional support for off-the-job training (mentoring, translation and tutorial services) is available to Australian Apprentices, further information can be found in the Incentives System Guidelines.
The Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support is a wage subsidy of $104.30 per week for a full- time Australian Apprentice, or on a pro-rata basis according to the hours worked for a part time Australian Apprentice. Payments are made to employers for 12 months in the case of a long-term or permanent disability or a specific period in the case of a temporary disability.
Eligibility requirements include:
- all primary eligibility requirements
- the employer must be paying a suitable wage of at least $104.30 per week, or its part-time equivalent for the duration they are receiving the wage support
- the Australian Apprentice must meet the disability eligibility criteria (details can be found in Part E Assistance for Australian Apprentices with Disability of the Incentives System Guidelines)
The Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support is also available to employers whose apprentice may experience unforeseen circumstances that lead to a disability during their Australian Apprenticeship.
Further information can be found in the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System Guidelines. To determine your eligibility and information about applying, contact an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider.
Help may also be available through the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) which can provide financial aid to assist obtain workplace assistance and support services, such as modified equipment or training.