GO90: Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program

The objective of the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program is to contribute to the development of a highly skilled and relevant Australian workforce that supports economic sustainability and competitiveness.

The Program contains a range of employer incentives and personal benefit payments to Australian Apprentices.

The Program links into the industries and occupations traditionally associated with the apprenticeship system.

In addition, the Program targets a broad range of traineeships and apprenticeships in new and emerging industries especially where future skills shortages are projected.

Employers: must employ an Australian Apprentice under a Training Contract formally approved by the relevant State/Territory Training Authority (STA) in a State or Territory of Australia (excluding Norfolk Island).

Australian Apprentice: must be employed and undertaking an accredited training programme leading to a nationally recognised qualification at Certificate II, III, IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma level, and must be an Australian citizen, a foreign national with permanent residency, or a New Zealand passport holder who has resided in Australia for at least six months at the date of commencement/recommencement.

Incentive payments to employers are subject to a waiting period (the greater of three calendar months from commencement/recommencement or the STA probationary period), eligibility and timing rules (effect dates, claim periods) and rules regarding previous or concurrent qualifications, existing-worker definitions and targeted lists (e.g.

National Skills Needs List, Priority Occupations, Nominated Equity Groups).

Claims must be lodged with an Apprenticeship Network Provider within specified time limits (generally 12 months from effect date or first day of claim period).