Thousands of Australian businesses may be eligible to benefit financially as a result of several important changes being introduced on 1 January 2023, including the introduction of a New Energy Apprentice Support Payment.
The addition of a further 39 occupations to the Skills Priority List may attract wage subsidies for eligible employers.
Employers may also be eligible for wage subsidies if they engage an apprentice or trainee in one of 111 occupations on the Skills Priority List, including 40 which are identified as a clean energy occupation. More details of this list will be released by the Federal Government early in the new year.
Australian Apprentices who are undertaking a Certificate III or above may be eligible for a new support payment of up to $10,000 over four years if they are engaged in a clean energy occupation as identified in the Skills Priority List. Eligibility requires employment that undertakes activities principally motivated by the production of renewable energy. Apprentices who are already receiving the Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment (AATSP) will not be eligible.
As of 1 January 2023, while there has been no change to eligibility or payments for the Hiring Incentive, employers of school-based apprentices may be eligible for the 12 month milestone payment if the apprentice completes early and is still employed at the milestone point.
Further information will be provided in early 2023 as is it made available by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).
