The Australian Government has extended and expanded the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy, to include medium-sized businesses who had an apprentice or trainee in place on 1 July 2020.
Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50% of an eligible apprentice or trainee’s wages paid from 1 July 2020 to 31 March 2021. This is worth up to $7,000 per quarter, per eligible apprentice or trainee, reimbursed in arrears.
In addition to the existing support for small businesses, medium-sized businesses may be eligible for the subsidy.
Subsidies are also available to any new employer who re-engages an eligible apprentice who was displaced by an eligible small or medium sized business.
Final claims for payment must be lodged by 30 June 2021.
The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy will apply for 12 months from the commencement date of an apprentice or trainee engaged between 5 October 2020 up to 31 September 2021, again capped at $7,000 per quarter per apprentice.
The subsidy is not available for any apprentice receiving any other form of Australian Government wage subsidy e.g. Supporting Apprentices and Trainees or JobKeeper.
Final claims for payment must be made by 31 December 2022.