Financial Assistance

As an apprentice or trainee you are not only entitled to receive a wage, but you may also be eligible to receive further government assistance.

The following information is provided on this page:

• Wages entitlements and other allowances
• Australian Government Incentives
• Queensland Government Funding
• Assistance for apprentices and trainees with a disability
• Training costs

Wages, Entitlements and other Allowances

For information about Australia’s national workplace relations system, wages and employment conditions :

Contact Fair Work on 13 13 94

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Australian Government Incentives

• Living Away From Home Allowance

You may be eligible to receive a Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA) for a period of up to three years of your apprenticeship or traineeship. You may be eligible to receive $77.17 per week for the first year, $38.85 per week for the second year and $25.00 per week for the third year of your training, paid monthly in arrears.

• Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY

Eligible apprentices and trainees can now apply for additional financial assistance through the Youth Allowance (aged 16-24), Austudy (aged 25+) or ABSTUDY (Indigenous Australian aged 15+). Assistance is means tested and managed by Centrelink. These allowances can not be claimed in conjunction with LAFHA, but you can choose to switch from one source to the other, as your circumstances change.

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Queensland Government Funding

• Start-up assistance for apprentices and trainees

A reimbursement of up to $300* is available to an apprentice (only) who is employed in an identified skill shortage industry. This assistance is for the purchase of specialised equipment such as necessary tools and protective equipment (excluding uniforms), where a tools allowance is not traditionally provided by the employer.

• Travel and accommodation allowances for apprentices and trainees

Apprentices who have to travel more than 50kms (one-way) to attend courses in relation to their training program, may be eligible for a travel and accommodation allowance.

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Assistance for apprentices and trainees with a disability

You and your employer may be eligible to receive financial assistance if you:

• have a disability which impacts on your day to day work
• cannot wholly address your disability through medication or self management
• have not used this assistance programme before (some exceptions apply)
• meet the normal eligibility guidelines for Australian Government assistance

Financial Assistance includes:

Disabled New Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS)

up to $104.30/wk

Workplace Modifications

up to $5,000

Tutorial Assistance

up to $5,500*

Mentor or Interpreter Assistance

up to $6,000*

* Includes GST

For more detailed information on assistance for apprentices or trainees with a disability click here

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Training Costs

Generally, the costs of training may be paid by DET, directly to your chosen SRTO who delivers the training to you, or paid by your employer on a fee-for-service basis. In some instances (i.e. Certificate level III or higher), you may be required to pay a Tuition Fee and/or a Student Services fee directly to your SRTO, as your contribution to the training you receive. Limits exist as to maximum fees payable, and full or partial reductions are available under certain conditions. Speak to your SRTO to find out whether this applies to you.

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