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.