EMPLOYER INCENTIVE BONUS

Put money in your pocket

Employing an Australian apprentice is a smart investment in your business future. Investing in training through an Australian apprenticeship can provide your business with real benefits and contribute to your bottom line. A range of financial incentives may be available to employers who employ an eligible Australian apprentice.

What are Australian apprenticeships?

Australian apprenticeships (often referred to as apprenticeships or traineeships) offer opportunities for anyone of working age to train, study, and earn an income in a wide range of occupations and trades. They are available in more than 500 occupations at all certificate levels up to Advanced Diploma and provide nationally recognised quality training developed by industry for industry.

What does it cost to employ an Australian apprentice?

Australian apprentices are usually employed under a federal or state award or agreement. They are paid a wage which varies depending on the number of years of school they completed, which year of their training they are in, the type of Australian apprenticeship they are doing, and the industry or occupation.
Australian apprentices have the same rights to superannuation, workers’ compensation, and other entitlements or requirements as all other workers in Australia.

How long does an Australian apprenticeship take?

An Australian apprenticeship can take from one to four years to complete depending on the type of Australian apprenticeship and the qualification undertaken. Australian apprentices may be granted course credits for any skills they already have, as well as their prior experience in the workplace, potentially reducing their formal training time. Australian apprenticeships are ‘competency based’, which means Australian apprentices can complete their training sooner if they get to the required skills levels more quickly than usual.

Employing an Australian apprentice

No two businesses are the same, which is why Australian apprenticeships have been designed to be flexible. An Australian apprentice can be a student or school-leaver, a person re-entering the workforce, or an adult worker simply wishing to change careers. Australian apprenticeships combine time at work with training, and can be either full-time, part-time, or school-based. Rates of pay are determined by the award or agreement under which the Australian apprentice is employed. These will generally reflect the costs to the employer of providing training, and the value of work performed by the apprentice or trainee.
In hiring an Australian apprentice, you can negotiate off-the-job training components around timing, location and the nature of the training to meet your business needs.

Group Training Organisations can organise for you to share an Australian apprentice with another business if you do not have enough work for an ongoing or full-time position, or might not have the range of work available to ensure that your Australian apprentice gains all the necessary skills for your industry.

You can also engage an Australian apprentice part-time while he or she is still at school through an Australian school-based apprenticeship. Don’t forget that mature-aged and adult Australian apprentices re-entering the workforce or making a career change can bring a wide range of life and workplace skills and experience to your business.

Incentives can help you in employing an Australian apprentice

Employers hiring Australian apprentices may be eligible to receive incentive payments under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program. Incentive payments are made when Australian apprentices commence, recommence, and complete their training. They are subject to eligibility criteria, waiting periods and time limits being met.

For details on financial incentives, apprenticeship centres and more, click here to download the Australian Apprenticeships Brochure. For more information, visit www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au or visit the websites below: