Budget 2020: $1.2 billion wage subsidies for apprentices and trainees

To assist with the recovery from the impact of COVID-19, the Australian Government is providing a wage subsidy to support employers who take on new apprentices and trainees.

Under the new ‘Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements’ subsidies program, businesses of any size that take on a new Australian apprentice or trainee will qualify for a 50% wage subsidy on the wages paid to the apprentice or trainee.

Questions and Answers

Is my business eligible?

Your business may be eligible if:

• you engage an Australian Apprentice between 5 October 2020 and 30 September 2021, and
• your Australian Apprentice or trainee is undertaking a Certificate II or higher qualification and has a training contract that is formally approved by the state training authority.

How much is the subsidy?

• Eligible employers will receive a wage subsidy of up to 50 percent of the Australian Apprentice’s gross wage paid.
• The wage subsidy is available for a maximum of $7,000 per quarter per eligible Australian Apprentice.
• The subsidy is available for wages paid from 5 October 2020 to 30 September 2021.

Anything else I should know?

• The subsidy is available to employers of any size, industry, or geographic location.
• The subsidy is capped at 100,000 places.
• There is no limit per employer. Employers can receive a subsidy under Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements for any number of apprentices or trainees, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. However, your Australian Apprentices must be one of the first 100,000 who commences or recommences on or after 5 October 2020 and registers for the subsidy.

How can I apply or find out more?

For more information read the Department of Education, Skills and Employment, Boosting Apprenticeships Commencements fact sheet.

For further information on how to apply for the subsidy, including information on eligibility, please contact Allara Learning on 1300 772 724.