What financial help is available?

The Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment (AATSP) provides direct financial support to eligible Australian Apprentices (apprentices) commencing an Australian Apprenticeship in priority occupations.

Eligible full-time apprentices working in a priority occupation can claim up to a maximum of $5,000 over a two-year period. Eligible part-time apprentices can claim up to a maximum of $2,500.

The AATSP is also available to existing workers, provided the following eligibility conditions are met.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for the AATSP, an apprentice must:

• Have commenced or recommenced their Australian Apprenticeship on or after 1 July 2024; or
• Recommenced their Australian Apprenticeship with their original employer on or after 1 July 2024, where the period of cancellation or suspension was greater than six months; and
• Be undertaking a qualification at the Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma level which is aligned to an occupation listed on the Priority List at the date of commencement or recommencement

In addition to the above requirements, the Australian Apprentice must not be in receipt of the New Energy Apprentice Support Payment (NEASP) for the same Australian Apprenticeship.

For further information about the AATSP, including payment rates download our factsheet.

Requirement for Tax File Number declaration

The AATSP is considered a taxable payment, therefore amounts received into an apprentice's bank account may differ.

A Tax File Number Declaration MUST be provided to avoid tax being withheld at the highest marginal rate, as required by the Australian Taxation Office.

For further information about completing your Tax File Number Declaration download our TFN factsheet.

The New Energy Apprentice Support Payment (NEASP) is designed to encourage Australian Apprentices (apprentices) to choose clean energy careers.

The NEASP provides up to a maximum of $10,000 in direct financial assistance, over the life of the Australian Apprenticeship, to apprentices commencing in an occupation listed on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List (Priority List) and identified as a clean energy occupation.

Am I eligible? 

To be eligible for the NEASP, an apprentice must meet all primary eligibility criteria and must be:

• Undertaking a Certificate III, IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma level qualification listed on the Priority List; and 
• Training towards an occupation identified as a clean energy occupation on the Priority List; and
• commenced or recommenced their Australian Apprenticeship, with a new employer, on or after 1 June 2024; and
• Not be undertaking a previously completed qualification OR undertaking a qualification that supersedes a previously completed qualification, unless completed more than seven years ago or completed overseas

Additionally, the apprentice’s employer or Group Training Organisation must demonstrate:

• Business engagement and operation in the clean energy sector; and
• The apprentice will be provided with meaningful exposure, experience, and work in the clean energy sector, appropriate to skill level and/or off-the-job training; and

A signed declaration must be received from:

• The apprentice stating their commitment to participate in two onsite workplace site checks (conducted by MEGT Apprentice Connect Provider) and providing ongoing exposure, experience and work in the clean energy sector; and
• Their employer stating their commitment to participate in two onsite workplace site checks (conducted by MEGT Apprentice Connect Provider) and providing ongoing exposure, experience and work in the clean energy sector; and
• The apprentice must be in training with their employer on the claim period end date

In addition to the above requirements, the Australian Apprentice must not be in receipt of the Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment (AATSP) for the same Australian Apprenticeship.

For further information about the NEASP, including payment rates download our factsheet.

Requirement for Tax File Number declaration

The NEASP is considered a taxable payment, therefore amounts received into an apprentice’s bank account may differ.

A Tax File Number Declaration must be provided to avoid tax being withheld at the highest marginal rate, as required by the Australian Taxation Office.

For further information about completing your Tax File Number Declaration download our TFN factsheet.

Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans (AASL) provide an incentive for young Australians to become an apprentice or trainees and offer support for current apprentices to help complete their skills training.

The Australian Government offers a loan of up to $25,643 over the life of an apprenticeship to Australian Apprentices (apprentices) who are undertaking a qualification that leads to an occupational outcome on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List (Priority List). These loans are designed to ease the financial burden and help increase apprenticeship completion rates.

Like HELP loans for tertiary students, the loans will be repayable once apprentices are earning a sustainable income.

Am I eligible?

AASL are available to all apprentices undertaking working in priority occupations listed on the Priority List, including non-trade occupations.

Payment information

From 1 July 2024, the monthly installment rates are as follows:

• First year $10,257 (12 monthly payments of $854.78)
• Second year $7,693 (12 monthly payments of $641.08)
• Third year $5,129 (12 monthly payments of $427.39)
• Fourth year (and beyond) $2,564 (12 monthly payments of $213.69)

AASL are to be repaid via the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) once apprentices have reached the minimum income threshold. For the 2024-2025 financial year, the repayment threshold is $54,435.

Australian Apprentices who complete their qualification will receive a 20 percent discount on their total loan amount.

To find out more about Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans, please view:

• AASL factsheet
• How to apply for Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans
• Australian Apprentice Support Loans applications in ADMS
• AASL information for under 18s
• AASL information for under 18s (parent/guardian version)

The Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA) is for eligible full-time or part-time Australian Apprentices of any age during the first three years of training if an apprentice needs to move away from your parental or legal guardian’s home for the first time in order to:

• Take up an Australian Apprenticeship; or
• Remain in an Australian Apprenticeship; or
• Receive essential supplementary on-the-job training with another employer.

Apprentices may also be eligible to receive the LAFHA if they are undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship and they are, or become, homeless.

The allowance is not available to Australian Apprentices who:

• Have lodged a claim for Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY; or
• Receive rental or accommodation assistance from Centrelink or their employer; or
• Moved away from their parental or legal guardian’s home three months or more before starting their Australian Apprenticeship

For further information about the LAFHA, including payment rates download our LAFHA factsheet.

Australian Apprentices (apprentices) may qualify for a Low Income Health Care Card which entitles access to cheaper prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).  

To be eligible for a Low Income Health Care Card apprentices must meet the Australian residence rules, including on the day you claim you must be: 

• Living in Australia
• Physically in Australia

AND 

Apprentices must one of the following:

• Australian citizenship
• A permanent visa
• A Special Category visa
• A certain temporary visa, that is a partner provisional or temporary protection type visa

For further information about the Low Income Health Care Card, visit Services Australia.

For information about the incentives available to NSW apprentices and trainees please visit education.nsw.gov.au

Transport concessions

If you're an apprentice or trainee registered with Training Services NSW and in an active apprenticeship or traineeship, you're entitled to concession rates when travelling on public transport in NSW.

For further information or to apply online visit service.nsw.gov.au

Rebate on car registration for apprentices

First and second year apprentices may be eligible to receive a $100 rebate on their car registration. To be eligible for the rebate, the vehicle must be registered in NSW in the name of an eligible apprentice and due for renewal and paid after becoming an apprentice.

For further information or to apply visit education.nsw.gov.au

Travel, accommodation and relocation assistance

Apprentices and new entrant trainees may be eligible to receive:

• Travel and accommodation assistance if they need to travel more than 120km (round trip) to attend approved training with their Registered Training Organisation
• Relocation and rental assistance if they are unemployed and need to relocate more than 60km in order to continue their apprenticeship with a new employer

For further information or to apply visit education.nsw.gov.au

Regional scholarship – The Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarship

The Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarship aims to support NSW apprentices who have demonstrated:

• hardship in their personal circumstances
• capability for vocational education and training that leads to successful completion of their trade training
• a positive attitude and application in workplace and formal training

The scholarships are worth $5,000 each year for up to three years and are open to NSW registered apprentices in both metropolitan and country areas, including school-based apprentices.

For more information please visit education.nsw.gov.au

Free Tools for First Years 

If you are in the first year of an eligible construction, plumbing, engineering or electrical apprenticeship, you may be eligible for a rebate of up to $1,000 to cover the cost of tools you purchased for the apprenticeship.

For further information, check your eligibility or to apply, please visit qld.gov.au

Travel and accommodation assistance

Apprentices and trainees (not including school-based) may be eligible for travel and accommodation assistance where they are required to travel at least 100km (round trip) to attend training at the closest Registered Training Organisation.

For further information or to apply visit qld.gov.au

Training subsidies

There are many ways to reduce the cost of an apprenticeship or traineeship in Queensland, including the below programs: 

• Fee-Free TAFE
• Free construction apprenticeships for over 25s
• User Choice
• Skilling Queenslanders for Work, helping fund disadvantaged job seekers, youth and low skilled workers into traineeships and qualifications

Trade Apprentice Registration Discount 

Trade apprentices using their car for work may be eligible to get 100% off your registration renewal.

For further information or to apply please visit vicroads.vic.gov.au

Training subsidies

There are many ways to reduce the cost of an apprenticeship or traineeship in Victoria, including the below programs: 

• Free TAFE, providing access to more than 80 Free TAFE qualifications and short courses
• Reconnect, helping participants overcome barriers preventing them from engaging in education and training and provides support into further study or employment pathways

Travel and accommodation allowances (TAA) 

Apprentices and trainees are eligible for travel and accommodation allowances if they are a WA resident attending off the job training and traveling more than 70 kms (round-trip) from their residential address to attend the closest training provider.

For further information and to apply please visit wa.gov.au

Construction Training Fund 

The Construction Training Fund offer a range of grants and subsidies to apprentices and trainees to help grow a skilled and sustainable construction industry in Western Australia. 

Support includes: 

• Apprentice Support Bonus of up to $3,000
• Apprentice Tool Allowance of up to $2,000
• A Pre-apprenticeship Award of $500
• Travel and accommodation allowances in addition to those provided by the Department of Training and Workforce Development

For further information visit ctf.wa.gov.au/funding