State Government Incentives for employers of apprentices and trainees

The WA Government provides a number of financial incentives to assist employers to take on apprentices and trainees.

A summary of the key financial incentives available to employers is provided below. 

Department of Training and Workforce Development

The following incentives and wage subsidies for employers of apprentices and trainees, are managed by the Department of Training and Workforce Development’s State Government Incentives team.  

For further information about these programs, please contact us at employerincentive@dtwd.wa.gov.au or by phone at 13 19 54 (option 2). 

Jobs & Skills WA Employer Incentive

The Jobs & Skills WA Employer Incentive provides financial assistance for WA businesses who employ an apprentice or new entrant trainee.

Eligible employers receive a base payment of up to $8,500 (4 year apprenticeship) and may also be eligible for additional loading payments if they take on apprentices and new entrant trainees who are: Aboriginal persons; living and working in regional WA; people with a disability; undertaking an apprenticeship/traineeship in a priority occupation; and mature aged (apprentices only).

Find out more about the Jobs and Skills WA Employer Incentive here

Jobs and Skills WA Adult Apprentice Employer Incentive 

This incentive provides financial assistance for eligible employers who take on a mature aged apprentice (aged 21 years or older) who is undertaking an apprenticeship in a building and construction qualification in WA.

Eligible employers receive up to $26,800 (4 year apprenticeship) and may also receive up to $5,000 in additional payments if they take on female and/or Aboriginal apprentice.

Find out more about the Jobs and Skills WA Adult Apprentice Employer Incentive here

AUKUS Defence Industry Incentive 

This incentive provides financial assistance for approved WA defence employers who take on an apprentice in one of four approved qualifications.

Eligible employers receive up to $20,000, paid at three milestone payment points – commencement ($10,000), Year 2 ($6,000) and Year 3 ($4,000).

Find out more about the AUKUS Defence Industry Incentive here 

Defence Industry Existing Worker Incentive 

This incentive provides financial assistance for approved WA defence employees who sign up an existing worker into one of three targeted qualifications.

Eligible employers receive up to $6,375 (3 year traineeship) in two instalments, at the commencement and completion milestone payment points.

Find out more about the Defence Industry Existing Worker Incentive here 

Group Training Organisation Wage Subsidy

The Group Training Organisation (GTO) Wage Subsidy assists small to medium enterprises working on government projects and/or non-government residential projects, in WA's building and construction sector, by providing access to apprentices and trainees employed through Group Training Organisations (GTOs).

Subsidy payments cover the average estimated award wage paid to apprentices and trainees working in the WA building and construction sector.

Participating GTOs may receive wage subsidy payments of up to $134,625 (4 year apprenticeship). 

Find out more about the GTO Wage Subsidy here

WA Group Training Program

This program provides financial assistance to Group Training Organisations (GTOs) to employ and support apprentices and trainees in priority target groups and support them through to completion.

Eligible GTOs receive up to $13,400 in incentive payments for employing apprentices or trainees in nominated target groups.

Find out more about the WAGTP here

Construction Training Fund

The following incentives and wage subsidies for employers of apprentices and trainees, are managed by the WA government’s Construction Training Fund (CTF).

Find further information about these programs here

Construction Training Fund Employer Grant

The WA Construction Training Fund (CTF) supports employers to reduce the cost of employing an apprentice or trainee in a range of building and construction occupations in WA, through the provision of the CTF Employer Grant.

Eligible employers can receive up to $36,500 paid at milestone payment points over the life of the training contract. Employers may also be eligible for additional payments for regional, Aboriginal, female and mature aged apprentices and trainees.

Find out more about CTF’s Employer Grant here

Commonwealth Government incentives for employers of apprentices and trainees

The Commonwealth Government also offer a range of financial incentives for employers of apprentices and trainees.

Information about Commonwealth Government incentives available to employers of apprentices and trainees can be found at www.apprenticeships.gov.au/support-and-resources/financial-support-employers, or by contacting an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider here – www.apprenticeships.gov.au/who-to-contact/search-for-a-provider.