Funding
The State and Commonwealth Governments provide a range of funding and other forms of assistance to support the apprenticeship and traineeship system.
On this page:
Exemption from Workers Compensation Insurance premiums
Employers can receive exemptions from workers compensation premiums for their apprentices through the Apprentice Incentive Scheme.
This exemption is not available to employers of trainees.
To be eligible for the apprentice premium exemption you must
- have a valid workers compensation policy and
- have entered into a NSW Department of Education and Training (NSW DET) approved Training Contract.
More information is available at the WorkCover website.
Payroll Tax rebates
Prior to 1 July 2008, wages paid to apprentices and new entrant trainees in NSW were exempt from payroll tax.
From 1 July 2008, the offset rebate scheme replaced this exemption.
Rebates are provided by the Office of State Revenue (OSR) by allowing the amount of the rebate to be offset against monthly payroll tax payments.
OSR provide this offset facility through their monthly calculator online service.
Read the OSR fact sheet for more information or visit the Office of State Revenue's website.
Rebate on vehicle registration for small business owners
The registration rebate is available to small businesses that commenced an apprentice between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2008.
The rebate in the first year is the cost of registration (excluding CTP and stamp duty) for a vehicle used in the business.
If the same apprentice continues to be employed a further rebate will be available in the second and third years of the apprenticeship.
For further information please visit the RTA website.
Continuing Apprentices Placement Service (CAPS)
CAPS is a free service which allows employers who are looking for an apprentice or trainee to access details of apprentices and trainees who have recently lost their job because of the economic downturn.
CAPS is only available to apprentices and trainees in skills shortage occupations.
By registering with CAPS, employers are able to review the details of unemployed apprentices and trainees on the CAPS register, select those that most appear to meet their needs and then arrange interviews.
Once an apprentice or trainee is selected by the employer, the CAPS team will help the employer contact an Australian Apprenticeship Centre which will advise them on eligibility for incentives and assist them with the completion and lodgement of a Training Contract.
Commonwealth Government Incentives
The Commonwealth Government also offers a range of incentives and subsidies for employers of apprentices and trainees. Further information is available at the Australian Government's Australian Apprenticeships website.
