Incentives

Apprenticeships play a key role in building a more inclusive and sustainable economy, ensuring Australians receive quality training while in employment.

From 1 July 2024 the Incentive System will move to Phase 2 and provide financial supports towards Australian Apprenticeships in priority occupations as listed on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List (Priority List). 

Download information sheet

The Australian Government has announced that it is expanding the New Energy Apprenticeships Program to help build the skilled workforce to transition to clean energy. The program is supporting 10,000 New Energy apprentices into a clean energy career. 

New Energy apprentices will continue to have access of up to $10,000 through the New Energy Support Payment. This payment helps relieve cost-of-living pressures experienced by apprentices. The program also offers apprentices with access to industry-based mentors.

The Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System Program Guidelines are being updated to broaden the eligibility for the New Energy Apprenticeships Program and will take affect from 1 June 2024.

The changes provide more opportunities for apprentices and trainees to gain meaningful experience and exposure in the clean energy sector. The guidelines will provide the flexibility for employers to develop apprentices in line with their training competency requirements and build their skills in clean energy.

The updated guidelines provide greater clarity around the types of activities that are considered eligible for a New Energy apprenticeship. This is to ensure employers working in clean energy can be confident in supporting their apprentices to meet the requirements for participating in the program.

Examples of activities include:

• designing, constructing and operating the infrastructure for generating, storing and distributing energy from renewable, zero or low emissions energy sources
• lowering and managing energy use in residential, commercial or industrial properties
• installing and maintaining technology that uses clean energy power.

These changes are designed to support improved access to the program following feedback from the Jobs and Skills Australian report The Clean Energy Generation: workforce needs for a net zero economy and industry consultation.

Download the information sheet

The Priority Hiring Incentive is a payment for employers of Australian Apprentices training towards an occupation and qualification at a Certificate level III or above listed on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. 

You can use the Priority List Explorer to see which occupations and qualifications qualify for support. You may be eligible to receive a Priority Hiring Incentive of up to $5000 in the first year of an apprenticeship, paid over two instalments of

• $2,000 at 6 months and $3,000 at 12 months (full- time) 
• $1,000 at 6 months and $1,500 at 12 months (part-time)

Am I eligible?

The Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System focuses on priority occupations, which are found on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List 

The Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System Guidelines provide the detailed eligibility for the Priority Hiring Incentive and your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider is also able to advise you on your eligibility. 

You can only receive the Priority Hiring Incentive if you are not currently receiving the Priority Wage Subsidy or Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support for the same apprentice.

How do I claim it?

Claims are processed through the Apprenticeships Data Management System

Your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider can help you with any questions you have about your claim.

DAAWS is a weekly payment to employers who employ apprentices with disability.

You can receive $104.30 each week for:

• 12 months if the individual has a long term or permanent disability
• The length of the temporary disability

Am I eligible?

• You must be paying your apprentice at least $104.30 per week, or its part-time equivalent for the duration of the wage support
• Your apprentice must meet the disability eligibility criteria. Details can be found in Part E Assistance for Australian Apprentices with Disability of the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System Guidelines

The Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System Guidelines outline the detailed eligibility for the Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support. Your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider is also able to advise you on your apprentice’s eligibility.

How do I claim it?

Claims are processed through the Apprenticeships Data Management System

Your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider can help you with any questions you have about your claim.

More support for employing someone with a disability:

The Employee Assistance Fund provides  communication services, workplace assistance and other support services to help you and your apprentice work together and get more out of the apprenticeship. 

Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS) factsheet

Workwear & Gear Bonus

If you're a first-year apprentice or trainee in the Northern Territory, you may be eligible to receive either $300 or $1,000 in funding to buy workwear and equipment. Find out more by clicking here.

Travel and Accommodation Assistance

Get more information about funding for apprentices or trainees in the Northern Territory who need to travel more than 50km to attend training at a registered training organisation (RTO). Find out more by clicking here.

Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System Guidelines 

Apprentices and Employers who commence or recommence prior to 30 June 2024 will continue to receive the support through grandfathering arrangements as outlines below.   

Priority Wage Subsidy

The Priority Wage subsidy is for employers of new or recommencing Australian Apprentices undertaking a Certificate III or higher qualification in a Priority Occupation on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. Under this measure employers who commence or recommence their Australian Apprentice between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2024 may be eligible for a subsidy of 10 per cent of wages for first- and second-year apprentices (up to $1,500 per quarter) and 5 per cent of wages for the third year apprentices (up to $750 per quarter). To get more information please click here. To see if you may be eligible please call (08) 8935 8200.

Hiring Incentive

The Hiring Incentive is for employers of new or recommencing Australian Apprentices undertaking a Certificate II or higher-level qualification in an occupation that is not on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List or in a Certificate II qualification in an occupation on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. Under this measure employers who have commenced or recommenced their Australian Apprenticeship between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2024 may be eligible for an incentive of $3,500 paid in two equal six monthly instalments ($1,750 each).  To get more information please click here. To see if you may be eligible please call (08) 8935 8200.

How do I claim it?

Claims are processed through the Apprenticeships Data Management System

Your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider can help you with any questions you have about your claim.

Regional and Remote Skills Development

From 1 December 2022, businesses based in regional or remote parts* of the Territory can receive a $3,000 employer incentive for every new apprentice or trainee they take on.

• *The Employer must be located in a Regional or Remote location as per the User Choice Funding Locality Listing Delivery allowance for VET funded programs | NT.GOV.AU
• $3,000 is paid to the Employer at the 6 month point after the Employer has confirmed the apprentice or trainee remains employed by the business. 
• The incentive is limited to 10 places per Employer. 
• The incentive is limited to 500 places in Regional and Remote NT. 
• All qualifications are included.
• Eligible for both part-time and full-time arrangements.

Priority Wage Subsidy

The Priority Wage subsidy is for employers of new or recommencing Australian Apprentices undertaking a Certificate III or higher qualification in a Priority Occupation on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. Under this measure employers who commence or recommence their Australian Apprentice between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2024 may be eligible for a subsidy of 10 per cent of wages for first- and second-year apprentices (up to $1,500 per quarter) and 5 per cent of wages for the third year apprentices (up to $750 per quarter). To get more information please click here. To see if you may be eligible please call (08) 8935 8200.

Hiring Incentive

The Hiring Incentive is for employers of new or recommencing Australian Apprentices undertaking a Certificate II or higher-level qualification in an occupation that is not on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List or in a Certificate II qualification in an occupation on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. Under this measure employers who have commenced or recommenced their Australian Apprenticeship between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2024 may be eligible for an incentive of $3,500 paid in two equal six monthly instalments ($1,750 each).  To get more information please click here. To see if you may be eligible please call (08) 8935 8200.

The Australian Government and Northern Territory Government provide access to a variety of financial incentives for local businesses who take on an apprentice or trainee through the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives System, and for those apprentices and trainees themselves. 

Following the introduction of the Incentives System 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 click here for more information.

Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment

The Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment is direct financial assistance for Australian Apprentices undertaking a Certificate III or higher qualification in a Priority Occupation on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List to support them to complete their training. Under this measure Australian Apprentices may be eligible for $1,250 every six months over the first two years of the Australian Apprenticeship (up to $5,000 in total). To get more information please click here. To see if you may be eligible please call (08) 8935 8200.

Living Away From Home Allowance (LAHFA)

The Living Away From Home Allowance is for Australian Apprentices undertaking a Certificate II or higher level qualification may be eligible for the Living Away From Home Allowance 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. To get more information please click here. To see if you may be eligible please call (08) 8935 8200.

Trade Support Loans

Australian Apprentices may be eligible to receive financial support to assist with everyday costs while they undertake their training. Australian Apprentices may be eligible to receive a TSL loan up to $22,890 (2022-23) over the course of the Australian Apprenticeship. The year of your apprenticeship determines the amount you may receive. There is no waiting period to claim. To get more information please click here. To see if you may be eligible please call (08) 8935 8200.

Assistance for Australian Apprentices with disability

The Australian Government provides additional support to Australian Apprentices with disability through assistance for tutorial, interpreter and mentor services for apprentices. Tutorial, interpreter and mentor services are available for eligible apprentices who need extra assistance with their off-the-job training.

Apprentices must be experiencing difficulty with off-the-job training because of that disability. Registered Training Organisations who provide these services are able to attract financial aid. This payment is NOT made to Australian Apprentices. To see if you may be eligible please call (08) 8935 8200.

Off the job Tutorial Mentor and Interpreter Assistance

Assistance for Tutorial, Mentor and Interpreter Services is available to Registered Training Organisations to support Australian Apprentices with disability who are experiencing difficulty with the off-the-job component of their Australian Apprenticeship because of their disability.

Claim application availability in the Apprenticeships Data Management System (ADMS) 

To support employers to collate all the wage evidence that must be attached to their wage subsidy claim application and update their Single Touch Payroll data, the Department will release  claim applications approximately 15 calendar days after the claim period closes. This  will also give Australian Apprenticeship Support Network Providers time to update any changed employer information (i.e. employer email and other contact details) in ADMS before the claim application is generated, reducing the chance of incorrect information delaying the processing and payment of claims.

When will my claim application be available? 
Boosting and Completing Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy claim for the period 1 April 2022 to 30 June 2022 will be available in ADMS from 15 July 2022.

View the schedule 

Read the full BAC and CAC media release