COVID-19 Information

The Australian Government, and State and Territory Governments, have a range of support measures available for employers and Australian Apprentices who have been affected by COVID-19 pandemic. The current focus of Governments across Australia is keeping apprentices and trainees in their roles, or having them re-engage in an Australian Apprenticeship if they have lost their position.

Supporting Apprentices and Trainees Wage Subsidy

The Australian Government's Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy is targeted at small and medium-sized employers of Australian Apprentices who were in their roles earlier in 2020. Eligible employers will be able to receive up to 50% of their apprentice or trainee's wage until 31 March 2021.

The key eligibility criteria are:

• For small employers:
  • You employ fewer than 20 people (including host employers using a Group Training Organisation)
  • The apprentice or trainee was employed as an Australian Apprentice prior to 1 March 2020 (for claims prior to 1 July 2020), or prior to 1 July 2020 for claims after this date
• For medium employers:
  • You employ fewer than 200 people (including host employers using a Group Training Organisation)
  • The apprentice of trainee was employed as an Australian Apprentice prior to 1 July 2020

Employers of any size who take on an Australian Apprentices who would have been eligible for this subsidy with their previous employer are able to receive the subsidy.

To find out whether you are eligible for this wage subsidy, contact your Australian Apprenticeships Support Network provider.

Apprentice and Trainee Re-Engagement Register

The Re-engagement Register has been set up to support those Australian Apprentices whose employers would have been eligible for the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy, but were let go by their employer.

If you are an apprentice or trainee who has lost their job, you can register to get connected with support networks and potential employers.

Employers who are looking to recruit new staff can use the register to advertise opportunities and connect with candidates.

JobTrainer Fund

The Federal Government is collaborating with state and territory governments to provide school leavers and job seekers with free or low fee courses.

The funding will be available for accredited qualifications or short courses and are designed to help you enter, upskill, or re-enter the workforce. If you are a job seeker, it can help you reskill and upskill for in-demand jobs.  If you are a school leaver, you are provided a pathway into these careers, and if you are a business owner, you will be able to get the skilled workers you need.

States and territories are expected to open places for enrolment in September/October 2020.

Staying Updated

AATIS is running two social media hubs that will provide individuals with resources, job opportunities, networking opportunities and general support throughout the COVID-19 economic decline and recovery. The key aims of these two Facebook groups are to promote accurate information about COVID-19 related initiatives and what they mean for apprentices and the industry.

The AATIS Blog is a place you can go for information, news and industry trends. We will continue posting new information about support and initivatives available in the Australian Apprenticeships sector, and what current trends mean for you. Ask a question at the bottom of the blog post for more information!