Financial support for Apprentices
Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment
The Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment is available to eligible apprentices commencing from 1 July 2022 in Priority Occupations listed on the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List.
From 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2024, Australian Apprentices training in Priority Occupations can receive assistance of up to $5,000 ($1,250 paid every six months for their first two years), to ensure they are supported to complete their training.
From 1 July 2024, the Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment will continue to be targeted at areas of skills need. Australian Apprentices training in Priority Occupations will be able to receive assistance of up to $3,000 ($750 paid every six months for their first two years).
For more information, contact Victorian Group Training here, or contact your local Apprenticeship Network provider.
Living Away from Home Allowance
The Living Away from Home Allowance (LAFHA) is an allowance for eligible apprentices during the first three years of training.
You may be eligible to receive the allowance if you need to move away from your parental or legal guardian’s home for the first time to:
- start an Australian Apprenticeship
- remain in an Australian Apprenticeship
- receive essential supplementary on-the-job training with another employer.
You may also be eligible to receive the allowance if you are undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship and you are, or become, homeless.
You are NOT eligible if you:
- have lodged a claim for Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY;
- receive rental or accommodation assistance from any source; or
- moved away from your parental or legal guardian’s home three months or more before starting your Australian Apprenticeship.
For more information, contact Victorian Group Training here, or contact your local Apprenticeship Network provider.
Trade Support Loans
Trade Support Loans (TSLs) are available to eligible apprentices to assist with everyday costs while completing your apprenticeship. You can receive up to $22,890 over the life of the apprenticeship (lifetime limit in 2022-23). The year of your apprenticeship determines the amount you may receive. There is no waiting period to claim.
Currently you may be eligible if:
- you are studying a Certificate III or IV qualification that leads to an occupation listed on the Trade Support Loans Priority List; or
- you are studying a Certificate II, III or IV agricultural qualification specified on the Trade Support Loans Priority List; or
- you are studying a Certificate II, III or IV horticulture qualification specified on the Trade Support Loans Priority List in rural or regional Australia – the Trade Support Loan Rules specify a list of postcodes for rural or regional areas of Australia; and
- you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
For more information, contact Victorian Group Training here, or contact your local Apprenticeship Network provider.
Assistance for Australian Apprentices with disability
The Australian Government provides additional support to Australian Apprentices with disability through assistance for tutorial, interpreter and mentor services for apprentices.
Tutorial, interpreter and mentor services are available for eligible apprentices who need extra assistance with their off-the-job training.
Apprentices must be experiencing difficulty with off-the-job training because of that disability.
Registered Training Organisations who provide these services are able to attract financial aid.
This payment is NOT made to Australian Apprentices.