Australian Government support for employers who directly indenture apprentices will decrease from 1 January 2027, but employers can keep the current level of support by starting or restarting an apprentice before then.
We thank our Associate Member, Apprenticeship Support Australia WA, for bringing this to our attention.
One of the key changes is a reduction in the Key Apprenticeship Program Employer Incentive. This will have a new maximum of $4000, down from $5000 in 2026. Employers with 200 or more employees will no longer be eligible, except for Group Training Organisations.
Employers with 200 or more employees (except for Group Training Organisations) will also be ineligible for the $2500 Priority Hiring Incentive.
Eligible employers, including large employers, who start or restart apprentices before 1 January 2027 will keep the current incentive rates.
For more information
We recommend contacting Apprenticeship Support Australia WA for advice about all available Australian Government and WA Government incentives.
For full details of the changes to the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System, see the official fact sheet.
