Australian Government Incentives
Incentives for employers
You may be eligible to received Australian Government incentives and allowances for commencing an Apprentice or Trainee. The following incentives are subject to Australian Government eligibility criteria:
Commencement Incentive
Payable after 3 months from Commencement date to the employer of
Certificate Level II Trainees $1,250
Certificate Level III or IV Apprentices or Trainees $1,500
Innovation Incentive $1,100
Payable to employers for employing an Apprentice or Trainee in an identified Innovation Training Package
School-based Commencement Incentive $750
Payable to employers with the Commencement Incentive for employing an Apprentice or Trainee in an endorsed School-based New Apprenticeship
Rural and Regional Skills Shortage Incentive $1,000
Payable to employers as an initial incentive for Apprentices and Trainees at Certificate Levels III or IV in identified skills shortage occupations in rural and regional areas
Declared Drought Areas Commencement Incentive $1,500
This incentive is available to the employer of an eligible Certificate Level II Apprentice or Trainee who has a current Exceptional Circumstances Drought Declared certificate.
Mature Age (45+) Commencement Incentive $ 750
Payable to employers with the Commencement Incentive for employing a disadvantaged mature age Apprentice or Trainee
Recommencement Incentive $750
Payable to employers for recommencing an out of trade Apprentice or Trainee at Certificate Levels III or IV
Completion Incentive $2,500
Payable to the employer of an Apprentice or Trainee at Certificate III or IV who successfully completes their training. Employers recommencing an Apprentice (only), after July 1, 2005 may have to share this incentive with any previous employers who contributed 25% or more to the Apprentices training time.
School-based Retention Incentive $750
Payable to the employer for employing a young person who was undertaking a School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship and employed them within 6 months of them completing year 12
Declared Drought Areas Completion Incentive $1,500
This incentive is available to the employer of an eligible Certificate Level II Apprentice or Trainee who successfully attracted a Declared Drought Areas Commencement Incentive
Mature Age (45+) Completion Incentive $750
Payable to the employer for employing a disadvantaged mature age Apprentice or Trainee, who successfully competes their training
* Includes GST
Incentives for apprentices and trainees
Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarship up to $1,000*
Apprentices only (commencing after July 1, 2005 ) in selective trade occupations may attract two payments of $500 each, payable after the first and second years of their Apprenticeship. This scholarship is not available for Apprentices who's employer has more than 500 employees, unless they are employed by a Group Training Organisation
Living Away From Home Allowance up to $77.17/week*
Your Apprentice or Trainee may be eligible to receive a Living Away From Home Allowance ( LAFHA ) for a period of up to three years of their Apprenticeship or Traineeship. They 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 their third year of their 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 they can choose to switch from one source to the other, as their circumstances change.
* Includes GST