Thousands of Australians are eligible for new support payments as part of a plan to offer workplace incentives.
Training support payments for Australian apprentices began this week for specific trades deemed “priority occupations” by the Albanian government.
The new $5,000 payment is targeted at apprentices working in areas that have a high demand for skilled workers both currently and in the future.
If their occupation is in “clean energy,” workers are eligible for more money as part of the New Energy Apprenticeship Support Payment, which can be up to $10,000.
The list of priority occupations includes elderly care workers, arborists, boat builders, bakers, locksmiths and beauty therapists, according to the Department of Employment and Labour Relations (DEWR), the
The $5000 Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment is provided to eligible workers in four instalments over two years, and apprentices must be undertaking a Certificate III level qualification or above.
The New Energy Apprentice Support Payment is spread over the life of the apprenticeship, which is up to $5,000 for part-time apprentices and up to $10,000 for those working full-time.
Thousands of Australian workers are eligible for extra cash thanks to the government’s new apprenticeship support payments
Eligible sectors under the “clean energy” category include agricultural and agtech technicians (pictured, a farm worker), as well as electricians, gas fitters and plumbers.
The sectors selected as “clean energy” are also varied and include agricultural and agrotechnology technicians, automotive electricians, ordinary electricians, gas fitters, glaziers, carpenters, plumbers and welders.
“It is available where employers can provide apprentices with meaningful exposure, experience and work in clean energy,” DEWR states.
The two payments were intended to keep apprentices working towards their career goals.
Employers may also qualify for a payment if they hire apprentices in the listed occupations, as part of the priority hiring incentive.
Provides employers with up to $5,000 in the first year of apprenticeship, paid in two installments.
Australians urged to check if they are eligible for new payments of up to $10,000
Apprentices can view the full eligibility list at Department of Employment and Labour Relations website.
According to Apprenticeship Support Australia, The new energy support payment is eligible for workers who have started or restarted an Australian apprenticeship with a new employer on or after 1 January 2023.
“Or resumed an Australian apprenticeship after 1 July 2022 with the same employer after a break of more than six months or twelve months if the start date was on or after 1 July 2022,” it said.