Employer incentives and subsidies for apprenticeships and traineeships
When you employ an apprentice or trainee in Queensland, you may be eligible for financial support to reduce the cost of training and supervision throughout the apprenticeship or traineeship.
Financial support comes in many forms:
- one-off incentive payments
- subsidies (wages, training)
- discounts (workers' compensation)
- exemptions (payroll tax).
Support payments do not cover the full cost of employing an apprentice or trainee. But, depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for more than one kind of payment.
Australian Government incentives
You may be eligible for financial assistance from the Australian Government to help with hiring and training an apprentice or trainee.
Australian Government apprentice and trainee incentives
Learn about wage subsidies, skills shortage payments and support for apprentices or trainees who are mature-aged or have a disability.
Queensland Government incentives
One-off payments
Government pays for | Eligibility criteria | Program name |
|---|---|---|
Support payment of up to $20,000 | Employers who recruit eligible unemployed jobseekers in regional Queensland |
Training subsidies
Government pays for | Eligibility criteria | Program name |
|---|---|---|
| A contribution to the cost of training for priority apprenticeship and traineeship qualifications. These subsidies are paid directly to the eligible Skills Assure Supplier | Registered apprentices and trainees, who are under 25 and studying a priority apprenticeship or traineeship qualification. Only available through pre-approved training organisations | |
Registered apprentices and trainees, who are doing a high priority apprenticeship or traineeship. Only available through pre-approved training organisations | ||
Prior to 1 July 2024:
After 1 July 2024:
| Registered apprentices and trainees must meet specific criteria including travelling more than 100km return to attend off-the-job training with their closest training organisation | Travel and accommodation allowance |
Insurance discounts
Government pays for | Eligibility criteria | Program name |
|---|---|---|
Discount on workers' compensation premium | Apprentices only, not trainees | Apprentice Discount (WorkCover Queensland) |
Tax exemptions
Government pays for | Eligibility criteria | Program name |
|---|---|---|
50% rebate on payroll taxes, from 1 July 2016 | Apprentice and trainee wages that are exempt from payroll tax, from the 2016–17 to 2022–23 financial years |
When you get paid
Each incentive or subsidy will have different payment conditions, amounts and frequencies. Check the programs you're eligible for to find specific details.