The federal government says it wants to help Australian businesses hire 100,000 new apprentices and trainees, and will spend an additional $1.2 billion on wage subsidies in this area.
Under the new wage subsidy program, businesses that hire a new Australian apprentice or trainee will qualify for a 50% wage subsidy.
The ‘Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements’ subsidies are effective from October 5, and will be available to businesses of all sizes, in all industries and locations, until a cap of 100,000 is reached.
Employers will be able to receive subsidies for 50% of the wages of a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee to the value of $7,000 a quarter, for the period until September 30, 2021.
The program builds on a similar wage subsidy scheme, first announced in March and then extended in July, that supported employers who already had apprentices or trainees working for them.
Who is eligible ?
Your business may be eligible if:
- you engage an Australian Apprentice or trainee 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 do I apply ?
NECA Education and Careers is a Group Training Organisation specialising in training and placement of electrical apprentices with host employers.
They will work with you to source the right apprentice for your business, including passing on all of the subsidies and jobkeeper payments.
They have 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year apprentices available NOW. Ring (03) 9381 1922 for more information.
For those businesses employing their own apprentice complete the “Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements Registration Form” which can be obtained from your Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (ASSN) provider.
MAS National Ltd - 1300 627 628
- Sarina Russo Job Access (Australia) Pty Ltd - 1300 178 776
- MEGT (Australia) Ltd - 136 348
- Chambers Apprenticeship Support Australia Pty Ltd - 1300 363 831
Once you have contacted the ASSN and filled out the application form subsidies and payments will be credited direct into employers nominated bank account.
Get in quick because the program is capped at 100,000 new apprentices and trainees.