COVID-19 National: Business – Supporting Apprentices and Trainees

This program aims to support business to manage cash flow challenges and to keep apprentices and trainees employed, as part of the Australian Government's Economic Response to COVID-19.

As announced in July 2020, the Australian Government is extending and expanding the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy, to include medium-sized businesses who had an apprentice in place on 1 July 2020.

Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50% of an eligible apprentice or trainee’s wages paid until 31 March 2021, up to $7,000 per quarter, per eligible apprentice or trainee, reimbursed in arrears.

In addition to the existing support for small businesses, medium-sized businesses will now be eligible for the subsidy, for wages paid from 1 July 2020 to 31 March 2021.

Subsidies will also be available to any new employer who re-engages an eligible apprentice that was displaced by an eligible small or medium sized business.

Claims from small businesses are now open, while claims from medium-sized businesses will open on 1 October 2020. Final claims for payment must be lodged by 30 June 2021.

For further information on how to apply for the subsidy, including information on eligibility, contact an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider.

Eligible applicants include:
1. Small business that must:
- Employ fewer than 20 people.
- Be a small business with fewer than 20 people, using a Group Training Organisation.
- Have an apprentice or trainee who is undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship with the business on 1 July 2020 for claims after this date. Claims prior to 1 July 2020, will continue to be based on the 1 March 2020 eligibility date.

2. Medium-sized business that must:
- Employ fewer than 200 people.
- Be a medium business with fewer than 200 people, using a Group Training Organisation.
- Have an apprentice or trainee who is undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship with the business on 1 July 2020.

Any employer (including all small, medium or large businesses and Group Training Organisations) who re-engages an apprentice or trainee displaced from an eligible small or medium business may also be eligible for the subsidy.