If you employ an apprentice or trainee you may be eligible for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of their wage paid from January 1, 2020 to March 2021.

The Australian Government has announced a $2 billion JobTrainer skills package to reform the Vocational Education and Training sector and keep apprentices in jobs. In partnership with the states and territories, more Australians will have access to free, or low cost, training places in areas of identified skills needs through the establishment of a new $1 billion JobTrainer fund.

The JobTrainer fund will provide for around 340,700 additional training places to help school leavers and job seekers gain the skills they need to get a job. A further $1.5 billion will be made available to expand and extend the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy.

Eligible employers can also apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of the apprentice or trainee’s wages paid until 31 March 2021.

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 – 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.