Apprentices & Trainees
Last updated 15 May 2020
The Government is supporting small business to retain their apprentices and trainees. Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of the apprentice’s or trainee’s wage paid during the 9 months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020. Where a small business is not able to retain an apprentice, the subsidy will be available to a new employer.
Employers will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $21,000 per eligible apprentice or trainee ($7,000 per quarter). Support will also be provided to the National Apprentice Employment Network, the peak national body representing Group Training Organisations, to co-ordinate the re-employment of displaced apprentices and trainees throughout their network of host employers across Australia.
FAQ's
Your small business may be eligible if:
- you employ fewer than 20 people; or
- you are a small business with fewer than 20 people, using a Group Training Organisation; and
- the apprentice or trainee was undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship with you on 1 March 2020.
Any employer (including all small, medium or large businesses and Group Training Organisations) who re-engages an apprentice or trainee displaced from a small business after 1 March 2020 may also be eligible for the subsidy.
For further information on how to apply for the subsidy, including information on eligibility, contact an Australian Support Network provider via australianapprenticeships.gov.au/search-aasn.
Eligible employers will receive a wage subsidy of up to 50% of the wage, reimbursed in arrears.
- Worth up to $7,000 per quarter (to a maximum of $21,000) per eligible apprentice or trainee
- Available for a maximum of nine months, covering wages paid from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020.
This information is current as of the latest updated date, however due to the evolving response to the crisis, we will update as changes occur.