What pay and other financial support is there?
Australian Apprentices are entitled to receive wages and conditions under an appropriate award, approved enterprise agreement, or national minimum wage and National Employment Standards.
The Fair Work ombudsman's website has a list of awards available across all industries. This provides you with information about the minimum wage and conditions that you are entitled to. You are required by law to have a copy of this award or agreement.
Your Award will cover:
- Base rates of pay, including piecework rates
- Types of employment (e.g. full-time, part-time, casual)
- Overtime and penalty rates
- Work arrangements (e.g. rosters, variations to working hours)
- Annualised wage or salary arrangements
- Allowances (e.g. travel allowances)
- Leave, leave loading and taking leave
- Superannuation
- Procedures for consultation, representation and dispute settlement
- Outworkers
- An industry-specific redundancy scheme
Once working, you will receive a pay slip that includes details such as the period of employment to which the pay relates, the hours worked (including any overtime), gross pay, tax deducted, other deductions and net pay.
The Fair Work Ombudsman also has a great tool called PayCheck. It helps you to calculate the base rates of pay for a particular job.
Government Incentives
The Australian Government is committed to supporting the development of skilled labour across the country. It provides a range of financial incentives and benefits to Australian Apprentices.
Financial incentives for Australian Apprentices* include:
Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans
Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans provide up to $25,643 (from 1 July 2024) to eligible Australian Apprentices in priority areas to assist them with the costs of living and learning while undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship.
A 20% discount is applied on the amount borrowed when the apprentice successfully completes their apprenticeship.
You decide how much money you borrow with an Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan. You could borrow just a small amount over a few months or receive payments over the four years of your apprenticeship, up to the lifetime limit of $25,643 (for 2024-25).
Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan payments are made monthly:
| Time completed |
Yearly rate |
| 1-12 completed calendar months (1st year) |
$10,257 |
| 13-24 completed calendar months (2nd Year) |
$7,693 |
| 25-36 completed calendar months (3rd Year) |
$5,129 |
| 37+ completed calendar months (4th Year) |
$2,564 |
Apprentices are required to repay the loans through the tax system when their repayment income meets the Compulsory Payment threshold 2024-25 income year is $54,435. The loans are flexible to meet the needs of each individual.
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Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment
The Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment provides up to a maximum of two years of direct financial support to Australian Apprentices commencing an Apprenticeship in priority occupations.
- Full-time apprentices receive $1750 at 6 and 12 months and $750 at 18 and 24 months.
- Part-time apprentices receive $875 at 6 and 12 months and $375 at 18 and 24 months.
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New Energy Apprentice Support Payment
The New Energy Apprentice Support Payment is designed to encourage apprentices to choose clean energy careers. Apprentices can claim up to $10,000 for a full-time apprenticeship and up to $5,000 for a part-time apprenticeship, according to the following schedule and rates.
- Full-time apprentices can claim up to $10,000, receiving $2,000 at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months, as well as upon completion.
- Part-time apprentices can claim up to $5,000, receiving $1,000 at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months, as well as upon completion.
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Living Away from Home Allowance
You may be eligible for LAFHA if you have to move away from your parental/guardian home for the first time to commence or remain in an apprenticeship or traineeship.
| Time completed |
Weekly rate |
| 1-12 completed calendar months (1st year) |
$77.71 |
| 13-24 completed calendar months (2nd Year) |
$38.59 |
| 25-36 completed calendar months (3rd Year) |
$25.00 |
Download PDF
Am I eligible?
You will need to meet the eligibility criteria to receive any incentive payments.
Contact our team on 1300 363 831 to understand more about incentive payments.
How do I claim it?
You will need access to the ADMS Portal as claims are now online. If you don’t have access to ADMS yet, learn more about setting up your ADMS access on the government's website. If you need more support, please contact our on 1300 363 831.
To find out which incentives apply for apprentices that commenced/recommenced on or after 1st July 2024, in your State or Territory or to your situation, download the relevant State or Territory e-guide below.