Incentives for apprenticeships

Financial incentives for Australian Apprenticeships

The Australian Government provides eligible businesses with financial incentives for the

skills training of new staff
skills training of existing staff
employment of Australian Apprentices.

MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre provides an online service for its customers to track the progress of incentive payments, download forms and track the status of training for the apprentice or trainee. The MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre Online service - MAACO - can be accessed via the home page link or by following this MAACO link.

Financial incentives for training staff and for employing apprentices or trainees

The Australian Government provides a variety of financial incentives for eligible employers and Australian Apprentices. These incentives can change from time to time and eligibility criteria applies in order to receive them. MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre staff are able to advise which incentives are relevant to your industry and business and for which you are eligible.

There is no charge involved in gaining advice from MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre as it is a government funded service.

State and Federal governments also provide other financial Incentives as an encouragement to employ Australian Apprentices. This funding varies depending on market needs to stimulate the economy. MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre staff will advise you of funding for which you may be eligible.

Incentives for training new staff

If you directly employ an Australian Apprentice, your business may be eligible for government financial incentives. MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centres facilitate those payments.

There are standard incentives of up to $4,000 and a range of additional incentives for eligible employers.

The Federal and State Governments provide a range of financial incentives to assist employers train their staff through the Australian Apprenticeships program. Eligibility for the financial incentives depends on a range of factors that need to be assessed.The State Government will also pay for the bulk of the training costs for your apprentice or trainee if they are eligible.

MEGT’s Australian Apprenticeships Centre staff can help determine whether you and your apprentice or trainee are eligible. We can assist you in completing your claim application forms and will arrange payment of your Government incentives.

Incentives for training existing staff

Current employees can access training and financial incentives in certain circumstances.

Your MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre Consultant will be able to advise you on the eligibility criteria for your existing staff.

Diploma and Advanced Diploma level training

Take advantage of the opportunity to upskill your staff and improve the productivity of your business. Australian government funding of $4,000* is available for Diploma and Advanced Diploma level qualifications. *Eligibility criteria apply.

Taxation benefits for skills training

Please visit http://www.ato.gov.au/businesses/content.asp?doc=/content/19898.htm&page=1#P25_2225 for information on Taxation assistance for skills training.

*conditions apply

Incentive	Details
Standard Commencement Incentive for Certificate II level	The Standard Commencement Incentive for Certificate II level qualifications will only be available for Australian Apprentices in nominated equity groups such as Indigenous Australians Australian Apprentices with a disability School-based Australian Apprentices mature aged (45+) Australian Apprentices Australian Apprentices working in a rural or remote region job seekers with severe barriers to employment (Stream 4).
Standard Commencement, Recommencement and Completion Incentives	$1,500 incentive for an employer who commences an Australian Apprentice in Certificate III, IV or Diploma or Advanced Diploma qualifications. $750 incentive for employers recommencing Australian Apprentices at the Certificate III, IV or Diploma or Advanced Diploma level. Employers of Australian Apprentices who successfully complete a Certificate III, IV or Diploma or Advanced Diploma qualification may be eligible to receive the $2,500 completion incentive.
Rural and Regional Incentive - Special Commencement	$1,000 special incentive for Rural and Regional Australian Apprenticeships where the Australian Apprentice commences a Certificate II, III or IV qualification in a National Skill Needs List occupation in a non-metropolitan area.
Australian School-based Apprenticeships (AS-bA)	$750 additional incentive for an employer who employs an Australian Apprentice in an endorsed Australian School-based Apprenticeship at the Certificate II to IV level or in a Diploma or Advanced Diploma qualification.
- Additional Commencement incentives for AS-bAs	$750 for an employer who continues to employ a Certificate IV level or Diploma or Advanced Diploma Australian School-based Apprentice after the student has completed Year 12.
- Additional Retention incentives for AS-bAs	$750 for an employer whose AS-bA completes a Certificate II, III or IV level after the student has completed Year 12.
Declared Drought Areas	$1,500 additional incentive for employers of eligible Certificate II Australian Apprentices who have a current Exceptional Circumstances Drought Area certificate.
- Additional Commencement and Special Completion	$1,500 special incentive for employers on the successful completion of eligible Certificate II Australian Apprentices who attracted a Declared Drought Areas additional commencement incentive.
Mature Aged Worker	$750 special incentive for an employer who commences an eligible Certificate II or higher level Australian Apprentice who is a disadvantaged person aged 45 years or more.
- Special Commencement and Special Completion	$750 special incentive for an employer on the successful completion of a Certificate II or higher level Australian Apprentice who attracted a Mature Aged Worker special commencement incentive.
Group Training Organisations	The standard commencement incentive and completion incentive for the Group Training Organisations' Certificate II level qualifications will only be available for Australian Apprentices in nominated equity groups Indigenous Australians Australian Apprentices with a disability School-based Australian Apprentices mature aged (45+) Australian Apprentices Australian Apprentices working in a rural or remote region job seekers with severe barriers to employment (Stream 4).
Assistance for Australian Apprentices with Disability	The Program provides additional assistance to eligible employers who employ a Certificate II or higher level Australian Apprentice with disability. Assistance may include a wage support payment or tutorial, interpreter and mentor services.
Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA)	Australian Apprentices may be eligible for up to twelve months of LAFHA at the first year rate of $77.17 per week, a further twelve months assistance at the second year rate of $38.59 per week, and a further twelve months assistance at the third year rate of $25 per week if the Certificate II or higher level Australian Apprentice had to move away from their parental/guardian home to commence or remain in an Australian Apprenticeship, or is homeless. Further support may be available as a result of the 2011-12 Federal Budget. Please consult your local MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre.
Support for Adult Australian Apprentices	Australian Government financial support is available for adult workers (aged 25 years or over) to upgrade their skills through an Australian Apprenticeship at the Certificate III or IV level in an occupation listed on the National Skills Needs List. From 1 January 2010, Australian Apprentices aged 25 years or more at commencement or who previously attracted Support for Mid-Career Apprentices payments may be eligible to attract Support for Adult Australian Apprentices. The payment is made to either the employer or the Australian Apprentice depending on the actual wage paid to the Australian Apprentice and is set at $150 per week (up to a maximum of $7,800 per annum) in the first year and $100 per week (up to a maximum of $5,200 per annum) in the second year. The weekly rate for part-time Australian Apprentices is $75 per week for the first 24 months and $50 per week for the second 24 months.
Tools For Your Trade Payment	The Tools For Your Trade Payment is designed to assist eligible Australian Apprentices with the costs of training, purchases of relevant tools and other costs associated with their Australian Apprenticeship. Eligible Australian Apprentices are those undertaking a Certificate III or Certificate IV qualification that leads to an occupation listed on the National skills Needs List or in rural and regional Australia, those Australian Apprentices undertaking an eligible agriculture or horticulture qualification. This payment comprises five tax exempt cash payments totalling $5,500, paid over the life of the Australian Apprenticeship. Eligible full time Australian apprentices will receive: $800 at the 3 month point of their apprenticeship $1,000 at the 12 months point $1,000 at the 24 months point $1,200 at the 36 months point $1,500 upon successful completion of their Australian Apprenticeship.
Further Australian Government Assistance available for Australian Apprentices	Australian Apprentices may be eligible for income support through Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY. More information is available from Centrelink on 13 36 33.

Please call your local MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre to make a time for one of our Consultants to visit your workplace to determine your eligibility for government incentives. This is an Australian government funded service.

MEGT's Australian Apprenticeships Centre assists you with all the processes required in employing an apprentice or trainee, providing advice on training options and assisting with Training Contract signup and lodgements.

MEGT makes apprenticeships, traineeships and training happen.

MEGT (Australia) Ltd trading as MEGT is an Australian Apprenticeships Centre contracted to the Australian Government through the Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations to provide Australian Apprenticeships Support Services to employers and Australian Apprentices. MEGT is one of a number of Australian Apprenticeships Centres. This website does not represent the Australian Government. If you wish to access information about Australian Apprenticeships from the Australian Government, please call 13 38 73 or visit the website: http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/
Australian Apprenticeships are an Australian Government initiative.