Financial Incentives Available for Employers Hiring in Priority Traineeship Roles
The Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System was expanded earlier this year, with 12 new occupations added to the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. This means more employers, including those in aged care, disability support, early childhood education, and community services, could be eligible for up to $5,000 in financial support per full-time trainee.
This update is part of the government’s Priority Hiring Incentive, a program designed to support employers hiring apprentices in occupations experiencing national skills shortages.
What is the Priority Hiring Incentive?
The Priority Hiring Incentive is a financial payment available to employers who hire new or existing workers in a recognised priority occupation. These payments are made in the first year of an eligible traineeship and are split into two instalments:
- $2,000 at six months
- $3,000 at twelve months (for full-time trainees)
- Or $1,000 and $1,500 for part-time trainees
This support applies to trainees that start (or restart) on or after 1 July 2024, and the trainee must be enrolled in a qualification aligned with the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List.
What’s new?
From 1 January 2025, 12 additional occupations have been added to the priority list, including:
- Family Day Care Educator
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker
- Electrical Engineering Draftsperson
- Family Day Care Educator
- Barber
- Driller
- Electric Vehicle Technician
- Employment Consultant
- Gas Network Technician
- Marine Engineer
- Marine Pilot
- Railway Network Controller
- Ship’s Master
This is a welcome boost for organisations in the early childhood education and care space and for those supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
What qualifications are eligible?
At Y Careers, we’re excited to see that several of our traineeship qualifications are already aligned with the updated list:
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
- Certificate III in Individual Support
- Certificate III in Community Services
That means when you engage Y Careers for a full-time trainee studying in one of these areas, you may be eligible to claim the full $5,000 support over their first year of employment.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible for the Priority Hiring Incentive, your trainee must:
- Begin or recommence their traineeship on or after 1 July 2024
- Be studying at Certificate III level or above
- Be undertaking a qualification linked to the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List
- Be actively training with your organisation at the time of claiming
- Not be supported by the Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS) or another government subsidy for the same apprenticeship
There’s no limit on the number of eligible trainees you can claim for, provided each meets the criteria.
How do I apply?
The process is handled through the Apprenticeships Data Management System, and Y Careers can support you through each step.
Call 1300 198 701 or email [email protected] for assistance.
Why now is the time to act
With the aged care and early learning workforce under pressure, hiring a trainee is not only a cost-effective way to build your team, it’s an investment in the future of your organisation and the sector as a whole.
At Y Careers, we work closely with employers to connect them with passionate, work-ready young people who are committed to making a difference.
If you're considering hiring a trainee in 2025, get in touch with our team to learn how we can support you to access financial incentives and create a smooth onboarding experience from day one.
Want to know more about hiring a trainee through Y Careers?
You can visit here for more information on our traineeship service and join our Employer newsletter to receive quarterly industry updates, hiring trends, and priority access to partnership opportunities.