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 Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System provides financial support to eligible Australian Apprentices and employers.

For Australian Apprentices and Trainees:

• Key Apprenticeship Program Apprentice Incentive: Eligible Apprentices working in the clean energy and/or housing construction sector can receive up to $10,000 over the life of the Australian Apprenticeship Journey.
• Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment: Apprentices undertaking training in priority occupations listed on the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List may be eligible to receive up to $2,500 to assist with cost-of-living and incentivise them to finish their training.
• Living Away From Home Allowance: Provides assistance to eligible Apprentices who are required to move away from their parent's or guardian's residence to take up or remain in their Australian Apprenticeship journey
• Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan: An interest free loan designed to assist eligible Apprentices with the everyday costs of undertaking an apprenticeship. Eligible Apprentices can borrow up to up to $25,983 (2025-26) which is paid in monthly instalments. Repayment of the loan does not begin until the apprentice's income exceeds the minimum repayment threshold of $67,000 (2025-26).

For more information on eligibility requirements for Apprentices, click here.

For Employers:

• Key Apprenticeship Program Employer Incentive: Eligible employers can receive up to $5,000 in the first year of an Australian Apprenticeship.
• Priority Hiring Incentive: Eligible employers may receive up to $2,500 in the first year of an Australian Apprenticeship.
• Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support: Up to $216.07 per week payable to an employer who employs an apprentice who satisfies the disability eligibility criteria.

For more information on eligibility requirements for employers, click here.

To find out what financial incentives including state-based offerings you may be eligible for, check out the Incentive Explorer.

The Department of Social Services websiteOpens in new window or tab provides a list of supports that Australian apprentices may be able to access while undertaking an apprenticeship including:

• Youth Allowance for Australian Apprentices
• Austudy
• ABSTUDY

To be eligible for payments under the Programme, an Australian Apprentice must be:

• employed in an Australian Apprenticeship arrangement in a State or Territory of Australia (excluding Norfolk Island); and
• employed under the terms and conditions of a Training Contract. The Training Contract must be signed by the Australian Apprentice and the employer, and be formally approved by the STA; and
• undertaking an accredited training programme, which leads to a nationally recognised qualification and includes both paid work and structured training and is responsive to user choice. The Australian Government may still provide incentives where a State or Territory Government does not provide funds for the off-the-job training, provided that the Australian Apprenticeship meets the Programme's eligibility criteria; and
• employed in an Australian Apprenticeship at the Certificate II, III, IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma level.

An employer who is a trust, trustee or a trustee company may be eligible for employer incentives and the Australian Apprentice may be eligible for Living Away From Home Allowance. Where the employer is a family trust and the Australian Apprentice is a beneficiary, the Australian Apprentice may attract Living Away From Home Allowance provided the Australian Apprentice is not a trustee.

• Phone: 13 38 73
• Email: ApprenticeshipsProgOps@dewr.gov.au