The Australian government will expand its apprentice wage subsidy programme for new apprentices and trainees signed up before 30 September 2021. Tens of thousands of new job opportunities will be created for apprentices and trainees across Australia with the expansion of the targeted wage subsidy programme as part of the Morrison government’s National Economic Recovery Plan.
The Australian government said the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy programme, one of the COVID-19 skills measures announced as part of the $4 billion in apprentice wage subsidies, will be expanded for 12 months for new apprentices and trainees signed up before 30 September 2021.
According to the government, this expansion will generate around 70,000 new apprentice and trainee places, with the government investing around $1.2 billion.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said training and skills were at the core of the government’s response to the economic challenges faced by the COVID-19 recession.
“Creating jobs, generating economic opportunities and boosting the skills of workers right across Australia are at the heart of our National Economic Recovery Plan, as we build back from the COVID-19 recession,” said Morrison.
“Last week’s national accounts showed the comeback of the Australian economy is underway, however many businesses still need support and it’s important our apprentices and trainees get opportunities to boost their skills and stay employed.
“With 100,000 new apprenticeship positions already snapped up, it highlights the confidence businesses have in the future of the Australian economy.”
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Michaelia Cash, said the programme will help more people into jobs.
“Growing our skills pipeline is an incredibly important part of helping our economic recovery,” said Cash. “The Boosting Apprentices Commencement programme has to date assisted almost 40,000 businesses to take on a new Australian apprentice or trainee.
“I’m so pleased that we’ve helped create 100,000 new registered apprentice and trainee places so far and we intend to help even more people get the chance to upskill or reskill.
“By expanding this wage subsidy for another 12 months, we’ll be helping businesses to create even more jobs, further supporting our National Economic Recovery Plan for Australia.”