July 2020 Update
Key points:
- The subsidy covers half of the apprentices' wages, up to $7,000 a quarter.
- The subsidy will now be extended by six months through to the end of March 2021.
- Employers of any size and Group Training Organisations that re-engage an out-of-trade apprentice are also eligible.
- While the wage subsidy is not available to apprentices and trainees receiving JobKeeper for the same period, where businesses cease receiving JobKeeper they will be eligible to apply if they had an apprentice or trainee engaged on July 1 2020.
The Australian Government is extending and expanding the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy, to include medium-sized businesses who had an apprentice in place on 1 July 2020.
Both small and medium-sized businesses will now be eligible for the subsidy, for wages paid from 1 July 2020 – 31 March 2021.
Eligibility
Your small business may be eligible if:
- you employ fewer than 20 people; or
- you're a small business with fewer than 20 people, using a Group Training Organisation
and
- the apprentice or trainee was undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship with you on 1 July 2020 for claims after this date. Claims prior to 1 July 2020, will continue to be based on the 1 March 2020 eligibility date.
Your medium-sized business may be eligible if:
- you employ 199 people or fewer; or
- you're a medium business with 199 people or fewer, using a Group Training Organisation
and
- the apprentice or trainee was undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship with you on 1 July 2020
Any employer (including all small, medium or large businesses and Group Training Organisations) who
re-engages an apprentice or trainee displaced from an eligible small or medium business may also be eligible for the subsidy.
How much is the subsidy?
Up to 50 per cent of the wages paid worth up to $7,000 per quarter.
Claims from small businesses are now open, while claims from medium-sized businesses will open on 1 October 2020. Final claims for payment must be lodged by 30 June 2021.
How can I apply or find out more?
For further information on how to apply for the subsidy, including information on eligibility, contact an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider via australianapprenticeships.gov.au/search-aasn.
Read more here
April 2020
Eligible businesses can apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of the apprentice’s, or trainee’s gross wage paid during the 9 months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020. Employers will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $21,000 per eligible apprentice or trainee ($7,000 per quarter).
Where a small business is not able to retain an apprentice, the subsidy will be available to a new employer.
- A small business is classified as employing less than 20 employees (full-time, part-time and casuals). You will be entitled to up to $21,000 for each apprentice employed by your business with payment spread across 9 months. Payments will be backdated to 1st January 2020 and run until 30th September 2020
- This applies to existing apprentices and trainees employed within your business on or before 1 March 2020.
- Employers will need to complete an eligibility assessment by an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider. APPLY HERE.
Fact Sheet
(Last updated: Friday 3 April 2020) 
July 2020 Update
Key points:
- The subsidy covers half of the apprentices' wages, up to $7,000 a quarter.
- The subsidy will now be extended by six months through to the end of March 2021.
- Employers of any size and Group Training Organisations that re-engage an out-of-trade apprentice are also eligible.
- While the wage subsidy is not available to apprentices and trainees receiving JobKeeper for the same period, where businesses cease receiving JobKeeper they will be eligible to apply if they had an apprentice or trainee engaged on July 1 2020.
The Australian Government is extending and expanding the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy, to include medium-sized businesses who had an apprentice in place on 1 July 2020.
Both small and medium-sized businesses will now be eligible for the subsidy, for wages paid from 1 July 2020 – 31 March 2021.
Eligibility
Your small business may be eligible if:
- you employ fewer than 20 people; or
- you're a small business with fewer than 20 people, using a Group Training Organisation
and
- the apprentice or trainee was undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship with you on 1 July 2020 for claims after this date. Claims prior to 1 July 2020, will continue to be based on the 1 March 2020 eligibility date.
Your medium-sized business may be eligible if:
- you employ 199 people or fewer; or
- you're a medium business with 199 people or fewer, using a Group Training Organisation
and
- the apprentice or trainee was undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship with you on 1 July 2020
Any employer (including all small, medium or large businesses and Group Training Organisations) who
re-engages an apprentice or trainee displaced from an eligible small or medium business may also be eligible for the subsidy.
How much is the subsidy?
Up to 50 per cent of the wages paid worth up to $7,000 per quarter.
Claims from small businesses are now open, while claims from medium-sized businesses will open on 1 October 2020. Final claims for payment must be lodged by 30 June 2021.
How can I apply or find out more?
For further information on how to apply for the subsidy, including information on eligibility, contact an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider via australianapprenticeships.gov.au/search-aasn.
Read more here
April 2020
Eligible businesses can apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of the apprentice’s, or trainee’s gross wage paid during the 9 months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020. Employers will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $21,000 per eligible apprentice or trainee ($7,000 per quarter).
Where a small business is not able to retain an apprentice, the subsidy will be available to a new employer.
- A small business is classified as employing less than 20 employees (full-time, part-time and casuals). You will be entitled to up to $21,000 for each apprentice employed by your business with payment spread across 9 months. Payments will be backdated to 1st January 2020 and run until 30th September 2020
- This applies to existing apprentices and trainees employed within your business on or before 1 March 2020.
- Employers will need to complete an eligibility assessment by an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider. APPLY HERE.
Fact Sheet
(Last updated: Friday 3 April 2020)