The Australian Government is extending and expanding the support its offering to apprentices and trainees during coronavirus (COVID-19). The Government offers this support to apprentices and trainees who are employed through the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy. The support will now include medium-sized businesses, as well as small businesses, that had an apprentice in place from 1 July 2020.

Employers can apply for a 50 per cent wage subsidy for an eligible apprentice or trainee’s wages until 31 March 2021.

Your small business may be eligible for the subsidy if:

• you employ less than 20 people
• you are a small business with less than 20 people, using a Group Training Organisation (organisations that hire apprentices and trainees and place them with host employers)
• your apprentice or trainee was completing an Australian Apprenticeship with you on 1 July 2020. Claims before 1 July 2020, will be based on the 1 March 2020 eligibility date.

Your medium-sized business may be eligible for the subsidy if:

• you employ less than 200 people
• you are a small business with less than 200 people, using a Group Training Organisation
• the apprentice or trainee was completing an Australian Apprenticeship with you on 1 July 2020.

You may also be eligible for the subsidy if you take on an apprentice or trainee who lost their position due to coronavirus.

Claims for small and medium-sized businesses are now open. You must submit all your claims by 30 June 2021.

Original resource

Department of Education, Skills and Employment