Australian Apprenticeships
An Australian Apprenticeship provides a nationally recognised qualification and on-the-job experience in more than 500 occupations. It combines work experience and on the job training, with accredited training and can be completed full-time, part-time or while a person is still at still at school.
Australian Apprenticeships are available to anyone of working age regardless of their level of education. They are established under training contracts between the employer and the apprentice or trainee and are regulated by government.
How to find an apprentice and get support
Under the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network, the government funds a range of specialist service providers throughout Australia to support Apprentices and Employers. These providers will be able to assist you to find an apprentice, or support you if you have already found one.
These service providers also have industry-specialist mentors, that provide support to Apprentices and employers in the first two years of training to improve completion rates and support the supply of skilled workers in industries undergoing structural change. There is a search tool provided by the government that will help you find a provider in your local area, simply enter your suburb and hit ‘Search’ and results will be displayed on a map on the page.
What support and incentives are available?
The NSW and federal government provide a range of incentives to encourage employers to take on apprentices, some of these include:
- Commencement and completion payments,
- Reductions on your workers compensation payments
- Payroll tax rebates
- Fee free training
- Other specific initiatives related to priority occupations where there are skill shortages.
- detailed information on incentives in NSW.
Specific support is available for apprentices with a disability under the Commonwealth Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy (DAAWS). DAAWS is a Commonwealth funded wage subsidy available to employers who take on an eligible disabled apprentice or trainee.
The incentive is up to $104.30 a week for a full-time apprentice, or a pro rata amount for a part-time apprentice.
An apprentice or trainee who becomes disabled during training may attract the wage subsidy.
Your Australian Apprenticeship Support Network Provider can advise you on the eligibility criteria and assist with the paperwork.
The Cessnock City Jobs Portal has been jointly funded by the Australian Government through the Building Better Regions Fund – Community Projects Stream, and Cessnock City Council.
