The early years of an Australian Apprenticeship can be tough for those entering the workforce for the first time. That’s why the Australian Government supports apprentices and trainees through financial incentives.
Contact MAS National for more information, and to find out which government incentives you might be able to claim. Depending on your situation, you may be able to apply for the following forms of assistance:
LIVING AWAY FROM HOME ALLOWANCE
This allowance is available to first and second year Australian Apprentices for the first 24 months of the Australian Apprenticeship when the Australian Apprentice:
- Has had to move away from his/her parental/legal guardian's home to take up or remain in a Australian Apprenticeship or
- Is homeless (proof required)
Note: the Australian Apprentice must meet certain criteria prior to approval of this payment. Contact us
DISABLED AUSTRALIAN APPRENTICES WAGE SUPPORT
Additional assistance is available to eligible employers who recruit an Australian Apprentice with disability. Each form of assistance is intended to help Australian Apprentices with disability reach their full potential. If eligible, the Australian Government will assist your employer with A Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS), Assistance for Tutorial, Interpreter and Mentor services and Workplace Modifications.
TOOLS FOR YOUR TRADE PAYMENT (Available from 1st January 2010)
From the 1st January 2010, Apprentices may be eligible for the new Tools for Your Trade payment. This benefit will combine three existing initiatives; Tools for your Trade Voucher, Apprentice Wage Top Up and Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarships which will all cease to exist on the 31st December 2009.
The Tools for Your Trade payment will be available to apprentices in selected trade occupations, agricultural occupations & rural or regional horticulture occupations.
It will comprise of five tax exempt payments totalling $3800 over the life of the apprenticeship.
NOTE: From the 1st January 2010, the Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarship, Apprentice Wage Top Up and Tools for your Trade Voucher incentives will no longer exist. Those apprentices who were previously receiving these payments will transition to the new Tools for Your Trade Payment. Contact us for further information.
01 Jul 2010 : As part of the Federal Government's Kickstart Mentoring Initiative, MAS National will now be providing additional support for apprentices aged 19 years or younger in skill shortage occupations.
12 May 2010 : The Treasurer, Wayne Swan, tonight announced that the Apprentice Kickstart Bonus introduced last summer would be reintroduced as the Australian Apprentice Kickstart Extension. This incentive effectively triples the first year incentive payment to small and medium-sized employers who put on a new young apprentice in a skills shortage trade between now and 12 November 2010.
23 Dec 2009 : As part of their Community Giving Program, MAS National has recently provided grants to the Leeton-Narrandera LYNKS program and Newman Senior Technical College.