In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government has just announced a $1.2 billion Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy to support businesses and Group Training Organisations in hiring new apprentices and trainees.
In essence, this means that any business or Group Training Organisation that engages an Australian apprentice or trainee on or after 5 October 2020 may be eligible for a 50% wage subsidy for wages paid to that employee between 5 October 2020 to 30 September 2021.
This equates to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter, per employee.
What is the Eligibility Criteria?
As per the Federal Government website, a business or Group Training Organisation may be eligible if:
An Australian Apprentice or Trainee is hired between 5 October 2020 and 30 September 2021; and
- The 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.
- The subsidy is available to employers of any size, industry or geographic location.
- The subsidy is not available for any apprentice receiving any other form of Australian Government wage subsidy e.g. Supporting Apprentices and Trainees or JobKeeper.
What Funding is Available?
- Eligible employers and Group Training Organisations will receive a wage subsidy of up to 50 per cent of the Australian Apprentice’s gross wage paid.
- The wage subsidy is available for a maximum of $7,000 per quarter per eligible Australian Apprentice.
- The subsidy is available for wages paid from 5 October 2020 to 30 September 2021.
- The subsidy is capped at 100,000 places.
- Payments will be made quarterly in arrears, with first claims for the subsidy available from 1 January 2021.
If you are interested in learning more about this incentive or in engaging an apprentice or trainee, please see www.addstaff.com.au or contact Nadia on 1300365606 and/or email nadia@addstaff.com.au.
