Employer Incentives & Trainee / Apprentice Wage Subsidies | Sarina Russo

To provide more pathways into employment, the Australian government is providing a number of apprenticeship incentives for employers to increase apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities across Australia.

Sarina Russo Apprenticeships are contracted to deliver Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) services, to help employers confirm eligibility and access suitable apprenticeship incentives.  Our team of local industry consultants will simplify the process and ensure all incentives are processed as a priority.

There are a variety of Federal Government and State Government incentives available for employers.  

Once your apprentice’s training contract has been approved, you can track your claims progress and payments through our online Employer Portal.

AUSTRALIAN APPRENTICESHIPS / TRAINEESHIP INCENTIVES FOR EMPLOYERS

Priority Wage Subsidy

The Priority Wage Subsidy is available to employers of apprentices and trainees that are undertaking a Certificate III or higher qualification in a Priority Occupation as listed on the on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. You can access the Priority Occupations list here.

The Priority Wage Subsidy will reimburse 10 percent of wages for the first and second year (up to $1,500 per quarter and a maximum of $6,000 per year), and 5 percent of wages for the third year (up to $750 per quarter and a maximum of $3,000 per year).

Hiring Incentive

The Hiring Incentive is available for employers of apprentices and trainees who are undertaking a Certificate II qualification in any occupation, or a Certificate III or higher level qualification which is not on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List.

The Hiring Incentive is made up of two payments in the first year following the commencement or recommencement of the apprenticeship or traineeship. The payment amount will depend on whether the apprenticeship or traineeship is full-time or part-time:

• Full-time apprentices and trainees will attract two instalments of $1,750 (for a total of $3,500), these will be available 6 & 12 months from the date of commencement or recommencement
• Part-time apprentices and trainees will attract two instalments of $875 (for a total of $1,750), these will be available 6 & 12 months from the date of commencement or recommencement

Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS) is available for employers who sign up, or currently employ, eligible apprentices with a disability. Additional services include tutorial, interpreter and mentoring to support apprentices with off-the-job training. 

The Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) provides employers with financial assistance to fund workplace modifications to support trainees or apprentices with a disability.

The Australian Brick & Blocklaying Training Foundation (ABBTF) is offering eligible employers up to $1,000 per year for the first 3 years an apprentice successfully completing each stage of their training with the nominated Registered Training Organisation.

Your apprentice or trainee may be eligible for Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans to help them with expenses while completing their qualification. 

Visit our Apprentice Incentives page for more information about this and other subsidies your apprentice or trainee may be eligible to receive.

Employers of apprentices and trainees in Queensland may be eligible for:

• Back to Work Program - one-off incentive payments of up to $20,000 for recruiting eligible unemployed jobseekers in regional Queensland
• Contribution to the cost of training for priority apprenticeship and traineeship qualifications:
  • Free apprenticeships for under 25s
  • User Choice
• Apprentice Discount - insurance discounts on workers’ compensation premium for apprentices
• Payroll Tax rebate - full exemptions for all wages paid to registered apprentices and new worker trainees. A 50% wage rebate is also available for apprentice and trainee wages exempt from payroll tax

For NSW, employer incentives for apprentices include:

• Reduced Workers’ Compensation Insurance premiums
• Payroll tax rebates
• Free help through Continuing Apprentices Placement Service (CAPS) to connect employers with apprentices and trainees who have recently lost their job

In Victoria, employers may be eligible to receive:

• Payroll tax exemption for wages paid to re-employed apprentices and trainees.

• Reduced WorkCover premiums for eligible apprenticeships and traineeships 

Employers of apprentices and trainees in Western Australia may be eligible for:

• Jobs and Skills WA Employer Incentive - provides financial assistance of up to $8,500 for Western Australian businesses each time they employ an eligible apprentice or new entrant trainee. 

• Construction Training Fund - the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Grant for Employers provides financial support to employers of apprentices and trainees in the construction industry. An eligible business can receive up to $26,000 from the grant, with the final amount dependent on individual circumstances.   
• Construction Training Fund - the Disaster Recovery Construction Training Grant is designed to support communities affected by declared natural disasters. Employers of apprentices and trainees working in the affected regions can claim an additional grant of up to $3,000 annually until June 2025.

• Payroll tax exemption for wages paid to apprentices (not available for wages paid to trainees).

Contact the team at Sarina Russo Apprenticeships to discover which trainee and apprentice subsidy incentives your business may be eligible to receive.