$10,000 incentive payments for housing construction apprentices from July 1

From 1 July 2025, eligible apprentices working in housing construction will receive $10,000 in incentive payments over the life of their apprenticeship. Apprentices will receive $2,000 at 6, 12, 24, 36 months, and at the completion of their apprenticeship.

The Key Apprentice Program (KAP) was announced in response to the Strategic Review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System in which cost-of-living pressures were found to be deterring people from commencing an apprenticeship.

The Government is taking steps to support the Review’s most urgent recommendations and address ongoing cost-of-living pressures while it undertakes consultation. These include:

• To maintain the 2025 Priority List and extend current Australian Apprentice Training Support and Priority Hiring Incentive payment settings by six months until 31 December 2025. This will provide consistency for employers and cost of living relief to apprentices in priority occupations during the consultation process.
• Increase the Living Away From Home Allowance from 1 July 2025 so apprentices can meet the costs associated with moving to take up an apprenticeship; and
• Increase the Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support payment from 1 July 2025 to support employers taking on apprentices with disability.

We share the latest news for apprentices and employers and will provide up-to-date information as it becomes available. To find out how Apprenticeship Support Australia can support you, and your business, contact us.