Financial support to hire an apprentice
A suite of employer incentives providing financial payments and wage supports to Australian businesses that hire and train Australian apprentices.
Payments include lump-sum employer incentives for priority occupations, weekly wage support for apprentices with disability, reimbursement for group training organisations placing apprentices with certain SMEs, and staged training support payments.
Businesses hiring Australian Apprentices may be eligible for incentives subject to eligibility criteria, waiting periods and time limits.
Key Apprenticeship Program Employer Incentive: for employers of Australian Apprentices undertaking a Certificate III or higher aligned with an occupational outcome identified as New Energy or Housing Construction on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List and where the apprentice can be provided meaningful exposure, experience and work in the clean energy or housing construction sector.
Priority Hiring Incentive: for employers of Australian Apprentices training towards an occupation and qualification at Certificate III or above listed on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List.
GTO Reimbursement Program: for eligible Group Training Organisations who place an Australian Apprentice training towards a qualification and occupation listed on the Priority List with an SME that has not directly engaged or hosted an Australian Apprentice through a GTO within the last two years.
DAAWS:
- payable to an employer who employs an apprentice who satisfies the disability eligibility criteria (including apprentices who become disabled during their apprenticeship)
- the employer must be paying the apprentice at least $216.07 per week (or part-time equivalent) for the duration of the wage support
- the DAAWS assessment must be undertaken by a registered medical practitioner or registered psychologist qualified to make a diagnosis of disability (cannot be a school counsellor)
- where the apprentice is under 18 they must be accompanied by their parent or guardian
Detailed eligibility requirements and any further conditions are set out in the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System Guidelines and related program guidelines.
Claims are processed through the Apprenticeships Data Management System and Apprentice Connect Australia Providers can advise on eligibility and claims.
Get a personalised eligibility check — your match score, which criteria you meet, and what to watch out for.
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Last updated: 12 February 2026