Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements

 

Save up to 50% In Employee Wages – That could mean $28,000 a year! Learn more about how the Australian Government is providing an additional $1.2 billion worth of support and see if you are eligible.

 

Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy

To assist with the recovery from the impact of COVID-19, the Australian Government is providing support to all employers who engage a new or existing employee through an additional $1.2 billion ‘Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy’.

At HTN, we provide all the support you need to take on a new employee and to navigate the Australian Government’s wage subsidy, You could save up to 50% off wages – that could be $28,000 over the first 12 months. The subsidy doesn’t just cover new apprentices or trainees it can even apply for your employees who’ve commenced in the last two months.

Re-commencing from the 9th March 2021 and finishing on the 30 March 2022, any businesses or Group Training Organisation that engages an existing worker or new employee may be eligible for a subsidy of 50 per cent of wages paid for the first 12 months. The subsidy remains available to employers of any size or industry, Australia-wide.

The subsidy will now be paid for a full 12 month period for new or existing employees who undertake an apprenticeship and traineeship. This includes those apprentices who have already been signed up under this measure. Employers are eligible for 50 per cent of the wages for a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee, up to $7,000 per quarter.

Is my Business eligible?

Your business or Group Training Organisation may be eligible if:

  • you engage an Australian Apprentice or Trainee between 5 October 2020 and 30 March 2022, and
  • your Australian Apprentice or trainee is undertaking a Certificate II or higher qualification, and has a training contract that is formally approved by the relevant state training authority

How much is the subsidy?

Eligible employers and Group Training Organisations will receive a wage subsidy of up to 50 per cent of your Australian Apprentice’s gross wage paid;

  • The wage subsidy is available at a maximum of $7,000 per quarter per eligible Australian Apprentice or Trainee.
  • The subsidy remains available to employers of any size or industry, Australia-wide who sign up an Australian apprentice or trainee before 30 March 2022.

Anything else I should know?

  • The subsidy is not available for any Apprentice or Trainee receiving any other form of Australian Government wage subsidy e.g. Supporting Apprentices and Trainees or JobKeeper

Are Existing Workers Eligible?

    An existing worker will only attract the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements payment for an employer, where the existing worker:

    • Commences in a trades-based Australian Apprenticeship; or
    • Transfers from a casual employment arrangement to a part time or full-time Australian Apprenticeship; or
    • Transfers from a Part time employment arrangement to a full time employment arrangement

In addition, a maximum of 30 existing worker Australian Apprentices per ABN can attract BAC if they meet the above criteria. It is important to note however, there is no limit for trades-based Australian Apprenticeship BAC commencements

Key dates to know

  • Payments will be made quarterly in arrears.
  • Final claims for payment must be lodged by 31 December 2022.

Teri CooperBoosting Apprenticeship Commencements