More than $100 million has been paid out to almost 13,000 employers assisting 22,035 apprentices and trainees to remain on the job since the Federal Government launched the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees measure on 2 April 2020.

Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said apprentices and trainees are vital for our ongoing economic growth and building a sustainable future workforce.

“COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the Australian economy. This support measure ensures employers can keep their apprentices and trainees despite the economic setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister Cash said.

The support is through a wage subsidy which covers 50 per cent of wages paid to apprentices and trainees. Subsidies will cover wages paid from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020 and businesses will be reimbursed up to $7,000 per quarter, up to a maximum of $21,000, per eligible employee.

The support package is part of the Morrison Government’s Economic Response to COVID-19. The wage subsidy is available to small businesses that employ fewer than 20 employees and retain their Australian apprentice or trainee. In addition, employers of any size and Group Training Organisations that re-engage an eligible out of trade apprentice or trainee are also eligible.

Apprentices and trainees who have lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are also being connected with new work and training through the new Apprentice and Trainee Re-engagement Register as part of this measure. The re-engagement register can be found here.

Further information on how to apply for the subsidy, including information on eligibility, is available at:

The Department of Education, Skills and Employment website www.dese.gov.au

Australian Apprenticeships website www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au