To confront the uncertainty that COVID-19 has left many business owners feeling, the Australian Federal Government has designed a wage subsidy scheme to give businesses more confidence in taking on a young employee.

Tonight at 7pm AEST, the Federal Treasurer’s budget will announce a $1.2 billion wage subsidy scheme for trainees and apprentices under 35 years old. The ‘Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements’ subsidies came into effect on 5 October 2020.

Key elements of this scheme:

• Businesses that hire a new Australian apprentice or trainee will qualify for a 50% wage subsidy
• 50% of the wage (to the value of $7000 a quarter) of a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee will be paid by the Australian Government until 20 September 2021
• This scheme is capped at 100,000 places
• This scheme is not limited to any industries or by business size
• The subsidy is not applicable for those currently on JobKeeper

To qualify, the following criteria must be met:

• Under 35 years of age
• Must be currently receiving a form of welfare payment
• Must be an Australian apprentice or undertaking a Certificate II or higher qualification
• Have a training contract formally approved by the state training authority

Find out more here.