Tens of thousands of new job opportunities will be created for apprentices and trainees across Australia with the expansion of the targeted wage subsidy program as part of the Morrison McCormack Government’s National Economic Recovery Plan. 

The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements (BAC) wage subsidy program is fully subscribed, helping to create 100,000 apprenticeships in less than five months. The Program will now become demand driven and expanded for a full 12 months for new apprentices and trainees signed up prior to 30 September 2021.

We’ve already seen a great uptake of this program throughout region, with more than 820 apprentices registering for support.

This subsidy has given businesses some financial relief during a very uncertain time, which enabled them to provide apprentices and trainees with opportunities that they otherwise may not have had.

By expanding this wage subsidy for another 12 months, we’ll be helping local businesses to create even more local jobs, further supporting our National Economic Recovery Plan for Australia.

It is estimated that the expansion will generate around 70,000 new apprentice and trainee places, with the Government investing around $1.2 billion.

Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash said training and skills were at the core of the Government’s response to the economic challenges faced by the COVID-19 recession.

“Creating jobs, generating economic opportunities and boosting the skills of workers right across Australia are at the heart of our National Economic Recovery Plan, as we build back from the COVID-19 recession,” Minister Cash said.

“With 100,000 new apprenticeship positions already snapped up, it highlights the confidence businesses have in the future of the Australia economy.

“Growing our skills pipeline is an incredibly important part of helping our economic recovery.”

The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements was one of the COVID-19 skills measures announced as part of the $4 billion in apprentice wage subsidies.

The Morrison Government is providing record levels of support to the vocational education and training sector in 2020-21, which is not only helping rebuild our economy but preparing for the future.

This includes the $1 billion JobTrainer Fund, which is supporting more than 300,000 additional free or low-fee training places for job seekers and young people.

We have also funded the National Skills Commission which harnesses contemporary data with labour market analysis to find the skills needs of the economy that in turn informs the qualifications and skills Australians need to train for.

The Budget also provided funding for the National Careers Institute which provides future apprentices, trainees and Australians looking to reskill or upskill with the information and support they need to take the next step in the career.

Further information on the support available to eligible businesses and employees is available at www.dese.gov.au/boosting-apprenticeship-commencements