The Federal Government has announced subsidies to encourage small businesses to retain their apprentices and trainees during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Eligible employers will be able to apply for a 50% wage subsidy per apprentice. This subsidy will apply for wages paid during nine months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020. Employers will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $7,000 per eligible apprentice or trainee per quarter (so up to a maximum of $21,000 for the nine-month period).

Eligibility

This subsidy will be available to small businesses with less than 20 full-time employees, who retain an apprentice/trainee.

Employers of any size that re-engage an eligible out-of-trade apprentice or trainee will also be eligible for this subsidy.

How do you access this subsidy?

To determine your eligibility, you must undertake an eligibility assessment through your Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider. You can register for this subsidy from early April 2020. Final claims must be lodged by 31 December 2020.

You may have already heard from your AASN provider regarding this subsidy, however, if you require further information, please contact them directly.