$2.5bn JobTrainer package: What You Need To Know
July 21, 2020
The Government has announced the $2.5bn JobTrainer package to retrain, upskill and open new job opportunities.
JobTrainer for job seekers and school leavers
An additional 340,700 training places will be created to provide no or low cost courses into sectors with job opportunities. The Government is working with the States and Territories to develop a list of qualifications and skill sets to be covered by the program.
JobTrainer for employers
The JobTrainer package has expanded the number of businesses that can access the 50% apprentice wage subsidy and extends the subsidy until 31 March 2021 (from 30 September 2020).
Originally, only businesses with less than 20 employees or larger employers employing apprentices/trainees let go by a small business were able to access the subsidy (for wages paid to apprentices employed by them as at 1 March 2020).
Now, businesses with under 200 employees can access the subsidy for apprentices employed from 1 July 2020.
Employers will be reimbursed 50% of an eligible apprentice’s wage up to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter per apprentice.
Employers will be able to access the subsidy after an assessment by the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network.
Eligibility
Small business | Medium Business |
· Employ fewer than 20 people, or
· A small business with fewer than 20 people, using a Group Training Organisation, and · the apprentice or trainee was undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship with you on 1 July 2020 for claims after this date. Claims prior to 1 July 2020, will continue to be based on the 1 March 2020 eligibility date. |
· Employ 199 people or fewer, or
· A medium sized business with 199 people or fewer, using a Group Training Organisation, and · the apprentice or trainee was undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship with you on 1 July 2020. |
Claims open now | Claims open on 1 October 2020. |
You will need to provide evidence of wages paid to the apprentice. If the business subsequently is unable to retain the apprentice, another business can access the incentive if they then employ and pay wages to the apprentice.
Final claims for payment must be lodged by 30 June 2021.
How does the apprenticeship subsidy and JobKeeper work together?
They don’t. It is one or the other.
An employer will not be eligible to claim the apprentice wage subsidy for any period where they choose to claim the JobKeeper payment for the same apprentice.
An employer or Group Training Organisation will not be eligible for the JobKeeper payment where the employer is in receipt of an Australian Government wage subsidy for the same Australian Apprentice (for example Supporting Apprentices and Trainees and the Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy).
This document contains general advice only and is prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial circumstances and needs. The information provided is not a substitute for legal, tax and financial product advice. Before making any decision based on this information, you should speak to a licensed financial advisor who should assess its relevance to your individual circumstances. While The Field Group believes the information is accurate, no warranty is given as to its accuracy and persons who rely on this information do so at their own risk. The information provided in this bulletin is not considered financial product advice for the purposes of the corporations Act 2001.