Apprentices across Australia could be eligible for up to $10,000 in support payments as the federal government tries to address crucial shortages in the nation's skilled workforce.
It's not just the trainees who stand to benefit, either, with employers who take them on also able to benefit from some financial aid.
This is what you need to know about the payments, including who's eligible and how much you can get.
What financial support is available for apprentices?
There are a couple of support payments available for people undertaking apprenticeships in critical industries as of July 1, 2024.
The first is the Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment.
This is up to $5000, paid over four front-loaded installments, to an apprentice who's working in one of the 120 government-designated "priority occupations".
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The other is the New Energy Apprentice Support Payment.
This offers eligible full-time apprentices up to $10,000 (and $5000 for part-timers) in incentives as they train in occupations the government has earmarked as being part of the clean energy industry.
Someone can only apply for one of the two payments. So no, you can't get up to $15,000 from the government for doing your apprenticeship.
What about employers?
Just as the government is incentivising apprenticeships in what it considers crucial industries, it's also offering a bit of bank balance encouragement to employers who take on those trainees.
This is done through the Priority Hiring Incentive, which offers up to $5000 for employers who hire a full-time apprentice who's undertaking a training course that's on the government's priority list.
That figure drops to $2500 if the apprentice is part-time.
The payments come in two installments and are only for the first year of an apprenticeship: $2000 after six months and $3000 after 12 months, or $1000 and $1500 respectively for part-time apprentices.
It's worth noting that employers who are already getting the Priority Wage Subsidy or Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support for an apprentice can't then apply for the Priority Hiring Incentive for the same person.
Who's eligible for the support payments?
There are some very detailed eligibility criteria for apprentices laid out on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website that should be read in full to determine if you can access the government's financial incentives.
Broadly speaking, the Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment and Priority Hiring Incentive are targeted at apprentices doing one of the government's 120 "priority occupations".
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The New Energy Apprentice Support Payment is directed towards apprentices in one of the 40 roles on the priority list that the government has deemed a "new energy occupation".
You can check exactly what jobs make up those lists here, but they include a wide range of jobs including aged and disability carers, chefs, horse trainers and painters.
