Incentives & help for employers
Summary of current incentives | Securing Australian Apprenticeships | Are you eligible?
NSW financial incentives (pdf)
Summary of current incentives
Available from 1 January 2010:
- Eligibility for the $4,000 incentive payments has broadened to include all Diploma and Advanced Diploma level qualifications subject to availability.
- Mid-Career Apprentice payment of $7,800 p.a. (1st year) $5,200 p.a. (2nd year), renamed Support for Adult Australian Apprentices, has changed to include those aged 25 and over (down from age 30 and over), in certain industry sectors.
- New ‘Tools For Your Trade’ payment combines the now discontinued separate support initiatives: Tools For Your Trade voucher, Apprenticeship Wage Top-Up and Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarship. The new payment consists of five tax exempt cash payments totalling $3,800 paid over the life of the Australian Apprenticeship. Payments of $800 will be paid at the three, 12 and 24 month points; $700 at the 36 month point and on completion.
From 1 July 2009:
- Apprenticeship Training (Fee) Vouchers (ATV) program will cease for new commencements from 1 July 2009. This program has been superseded by the Productivity Places Program which has 85,000 places specifically identified for Australian Apprentices.
- Shared Completion incentive will cease as of 30 June 2009. For completions from 1 July 2009, the Completion Incentive will be paid only to the employer with whom the Australian Apprentice is employed at the time of completion.
Securing Australian Apprenticeships and Traineeships Initiative
The Federal Government is concerned that business cost cutting may lead to many apprentices and trainees losing their job before they are able to complete their training.
The Government therefore announced a new package of assistance effective from 1 January 2009:
- $1800 wage subsidy for employers who recommence an out of-trade apprentice or trainee in an identified skills shortage occupation or a Diploma/Advanced Diploma level qualification.
- $1000 additional payment for employers who successfully complete an apprentice or trainee in an identified skills shortage occupation or a Diploma/Advanced Diploma level qualification before 31 December 2010.
See: National Skills Needs List
The financial support under this initiative will be payable for 2 years until 31 December 2010.
Are you eligible?
Employers hiring an Australian Apprentice may be eligible for a range of incentives and assistance to help reduce the real cost of training.
Incentives for most employers start from $1250 for Certificate II and $1500 for Certificate III – IV and Diploma/Advanced Diploma qualifications. These incentives encourage employers to offer work-based training opportunities that encourage people to upgrade and expand their skills. There is also a range of additional incentives available to employers of an Australian Apprentice including the:
- Declared Drought area incentive;
- Rural and Regional Skills Shortage incentive;
- Innovation incentive; and
- Mature Aged Worker incentive.
Contact ABLAC on 1300 652 236 to discuss your eligibility for incentives.
How we help
ABLAC will keep you up to date on financial incentives you may be eligible for. We also make the claims process easier by offering:
- advice on incentives that your business may be entitled to
- help with completing all the necessary paperwork
- updates on new incentives you may be eligible to
claim.
NSW financial incentives*
For a list of incentives you may be eligible for as an employer of an Australian Apprentice in NSW please see our checklist (pdf): Financial Incentives (NSW)
Please note that the checklist is a guide only. Payment of incentives will be subject to employers and their Australian Apprentices satisfying the eligibility criteria. Details of each incentive should be discussed with your consultant.
*Incentives are dependent on meeting eligibility criteria.
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