The Australian Government provides both financial and non-financial support to Australian Apprentices and their employers throughout their apprenticeship journey. Australian Apprenticeship Support Network providers are contracted by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations to provide Australian Apprenticeships support and services. This includes assessing eligibility for support and financial assistance for Australian Apprentices and their employers under Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System (Incentives System) when the training contract is signed.
Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System
Apprenticeships play a critical role in supporting Australians to access secure, well-paid jobs. They create a pipeline of skills and talent in the Australian workforce, helping businesses to meet their current and future skills needs.
The Incentives System commenced on 1 July 2022 and supports a more inclusive and sustainable economy, ensuring support is targeted to the skills in demand in the Australian economy.
A summary of what is available through the Incentives System Summary or alternatively in the tables below:
| For Australian Apprentices: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Payment/Support | Payment Timing and Amount | Description |
| Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment | A payment is made every 6 months for the first two years of the Australian Apprenticeship. Full-time: $1,250 ($5,000 maximum) Part-time: $625 ($2,500 maximum) |
Direct financial assistance for Australian Apprentices undertaking a qualification and occupation as listed on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. |
| New Energy Apprentice Support Payment
|
A payment is made at 6, 12, 24, 36 months and completion. Full-time: $2,000 Part-time: $1,000 |
Direct financial assistance for Australian Apprentices undertaking a qualification and occupation that is identified as clean energy and on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. |
| Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA) | First 12-month rate of $77.17 per week Second 12-month rate of $38.59 per week Third 12-month rate of $25.00 per week |
Australian Apprentices undertaking a Certificate II or above qualification, if they have to move away from their parental/guardian home for the first time. To commence or remain in an Australian Apprenticeship or are homeless. |
| Assistance for Australian Apprentice with disability | Off-the-job Tutorial, Mentor and Interpreter Assistance. | Additional support for off-the-job training for Australian Apprentices with a disability experiencing difficulty. |
| For Employers: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Payment/Support | Payment Timing and Amount | Description |
| Priority Wage Subsidy | 10% of wages paid to the Australian Apprentice for first and second 12-month period (up to $1,500 per quarter) 5% of wages paid to the Australian Apprentice for the third 12-month period (up to $750 per quarter) |
A wage subsidy for employers of Australian Apprentices undertaking a qualification and occupation as listed on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. |
| Hiring Incentive | A payment is made at 6 and 12 months. Full-time: $1,750 Part-time: $875 |
For employers of Australian Apprentices undertaking a Certificate II or above qualification that is not listed on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. |
| Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS) | $104.30 per week for a full-time Australian Apprentice, and on a pro-rata scale according to hours worked for a part-time Australian Apprentice. | Provides additional assistance to employers who employ an Australian Apprentice with disability in a Certificate II or above qualification. |
| For Registered Training Organisations: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Payment/Support | Payment Timing and Amount | Description |
| Assistance for Australian Apprentice with disability | $38.50 per hour (up to $5,500 annually) | Assistance for tutorial, mentor and interpreter services supporting Australian Apprentices with disability. |
Visit the Australian Apprentices and Employer Incentives pages to learn more about support available, or alternatively further information is available in the Incentives System Guidelines.
An Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider can help you with all aspects of these incentives, including assessing your eligibility.
Your state or territory government may also have their own programs and payments available to help you. Visit your state or territory government website for information about assistance that may be available to you.
Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program
The Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program, including the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements (BAC) and Completing Apprenticeship Commencements (CAC) closed to new entrants on 30 June 2022.
Australian Apprentices and employers who commenced an Australian Apprenticeship before 1 July 2022 will continue to be supported through the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program. For further information, please contact an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider.
See the summary for all incentives available under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program or alternatively visit the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.