Financial incentives and benefits 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
If you directly employ an Australian Apprentice (apprentice or trainee), your business may be eligible for Australian Government financial incentives; and current employees may be able to access training and financial incentives in certain circumstances. MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centres administer and facilitate those payments.
The Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program contains a range of incentives and personal benefits, inlcuding:
- standard incentives
- special and additional incentives and personal benefits where the Australian Apprentice is undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship leading to an occupation listed on the National skills Needs List and
- other special and additional incentives and personal benefits.
Please refer to the table below.
Payment of incentives and personal benefits is subject to employers and Australian Apprentices satisfying eligibility criteria as set out in the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program Guidelines.
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.
In addition to the Federal government incentives and benefits, State governments focussing on local skills shortages may also provide benefits as an encouragement to employ Australian Apprentices. These benefits vary depending on market needs to stimulate the economy. MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre staff will advise you of funding for which you may be eligible.
Skills Needs List
The National Skills Needs List identifies trades that are deemed to be in national skill shortage based on research conducted by the Australian government.
It is used to determine elibigility for incentives and personal benefits available under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program.
For more information and assistance regarding Australian Apprenticeships, including eligibility advice on payments available under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program, call MEGT on 13 MEGT (13 6348) or email AACinfo@megt.com.au
This information is current as at 1 March 2013.
*Conditions apply for all incentives listed below.
| INCENTIVE* |
AMOUNT ($) |
PAID AT |
| Standard Incentives (employer) |
Certificate II 'New Worker' Australian
Apprentices in a nominated equity group |
1,250.00 |
Commencement |
- 'New' Australian Apprentices who are
undertaking a Certificate III / IV level qualification
- 'New' and 'Existing Worker' Australian Apprentices who are undertaking a Certificate III / IV that leads to an occupation on NSNL
- 'New Worker' Australian Apprentices who are undertaking a Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Aged / Child Care or Enrolled Nursing
|
1,500.00 |
Commencement |
| 750.00 |
Recommencement |
| 2,500.00 |
Completion |
'Existing Worker' Australian Apprentices who
are undertaking;
- a Certificate III / IV that does not lead to an occupation on the NSNL or
- a Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Aged / Child Care or Enrolled Nursing
|
3,000.00 |
Completion |
| Part-time Australian Apprentices – Certificate III / IV – not on NSNL or Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASbA) |
1,500.00 |
Completion |
Special and additional incentives and personal benefits available where the Australian Apprentice
is undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship leading to an occupation listed on the National Skills
Needs List (NSNL) |
| Rural & Regional Skills Shortage (employer) |
1,000.00 |
Commencement |
Support for Adult Australian
Apprentices – Certificate III /IV paid to
the Australian Apprentice |
150 / 75 per week,
up to
7,800.00
100 / 50 per week,
up to
5,200.00 |
First year full-time / first two
years part-time
Second year full-time /
second two years part-time |
Support for Adult Australian
Apprentices – Certificate III /IV
paid to the Employer |
4,000.00 |
One-off payment payable
at 12 months |
Tools For Your Trade Payments
(Australian Apprentice) |
5,500.00 |
Paid over the period of the
Australian Apprenticeship |
| Other special and additional incentives and personal benefits |
| Group Training Organisation Certificate II Completion (nominated equity groups only) |
1,000.00 |
Completion |
Declared Drought Areas - Certificate II (nominated equity groups only)
(employer) |
1,500.00 |
Commencement |
| 1,500.00 |
Completion |
| Mature Aged Worker (employer) |
750.00 |
Commencement |
| 750.00 |
Completion |
|
Australian School-based Apprenticeships (employer) |
750.00 |
Commencement |
| 750.00 |
Retention |
|
Assistance for Australian Apprentices with Disability (employer) |
104.30 |
Per week – Wage Support
(employer) |
| 5,500.00 |
Maximum per year for
off-the-job Tutorial,
Mentor and Interpreter
Assistance (RTO) |
| Living Away From Home Allowance (Australian Apprentice) |
77.17 |
Per week 1st year rate |
| 38.59 |
Per week 2nd year rate |
| 25.00 |
Per week 3rd year rate |
Employers and Australian Apprentices entering into a training contract may be eligible for a range of Australian Government employer incentives and personal benefits. Payments available are payable in respect of an Australian Apprentice whose employment and training arrangements are formally approved by the State Training Authority and the criteria for the payment is met.
The above is a guide only and subject to change without notice. Criteria apply for all incentives.
Information current as at 23 October 2012. *See equity groups under ‘Standard incentives / Certificate II’ above. | |
State government assistance
| NEW SOUTH WALES |
Exemption from Workers Compensation Insurance premiums – Apprentices |
Employers may receive exemptions from workers compensation premiums for their apprentices through the Apprentice Incentive Scheme. This
exemption is not available to employers of trainees.
Visit www.workcover.nsw.gov.au for more information. |
| |
Continuing Apprentices Placement Service (CAPS ) |
CAPS is a free service which allows employers
who are looking for an apprentice or trainee in
a skills shortage occupation, to access details
of apprentices and trainees who have recently
lost their job because of the economic downturn.
Visit www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au and
www.training.nsw.gov.au |
| |
Payroll tax rebates |
The Office of State Revenue administers an
offset rebate scheme for approved apprentices
and new entrant trainees. Rebates are provided
by allowing the amount of the rebate to be offset
against monthly payroll tax payments.
Visit www.osr.nsw.gov.au for more information |
| NEW SOUTH WALES |
Travel concessions |
Eligible first, second and third year apprentices
and new entrant trainees may be entitled to a
Transport Concession Card. More information is
available at www.training.nsw.gov.au |
| |
Rebate on car registration for apprentices |
First and second year apprentices may be elibigle
to receive a rebate on their car registration.
Visit www.rta.nsw.gov.au |
|
Continuing apprentice placement service |
Apprentices and trainees in skills shortages
occupations and affected by economic downturn
may register their details for a free job matching
service. Visit www.training.nsw.gov.au and
www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au |
|
Scholarship |
Information on Chifley Scholarships for Apprentices
who live and work in country NSW can be found
at www.training.nsw.gov.au |
|
The Way Ahead Program for Aboriginal People |
The Way Ahead for Aboriginal People mentoring
program is a free service for Aboriginal apprentices and trainees who need additional support in the
workplace. Visit www.training.nsw.gov.au
for more information. |
| QUEENSLAND |
Payroll Tax exemptions |
The Office of State Revenue offers an incentive
rebate to encourage employers to keep or
increase their employment of apprentices and
trainees. Wages paid to apprentices and new
entrant trainees are generally exempt from
payroll tax.The rebate applies to the 2009/10,
2010/11 and 2011/12 financial years, however
for information on the 2012/13 financial year,
please visit www.osr.qld.gov.au for more
information. |
The information above is valid as at 1 March 2013.
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 Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research & Tertiary Education (DIICCSRTE) 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 Incentives Program Guidelines and Appendices may be viewed on the DIICSRTE website.
Australian Apprenticeships are an Australian Government initiative.