The Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment (AATSP) provides direct financial support to eligible Australian Apprentices (apprentices) commencing an Australian Apprenticeship in priority occupations.

Eligible full-time apprentices working in a priority occupation can claim up to a maximum of $5,000 over a two-year period. Eligible part-time apprentices can claim up to a maximum of $2,500.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for the AATSP, an apprentice must:

• Have commenced or recommenced their Australian Apprenticeship on or after 1 July 2024; or
• Recommenced their Australian Apprenticeship with their original employer on or after 1 July 2024, where the period of cancellation or suspension was greater than six months; and
• Be undertaking a qualification at the Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma level which is aligned to an occupation listed on the Priority List at the date of commencement or recommencement

The AATSP is also available to existing workers, provided the above eligibility conditions are met. 

In addition to the above requirements, the Australian Apprentice must not be in receipt of payments under the Key Apprenticeship Program.

For further information about the AATSP, including payment rates download our factsheet.

The Key Apprenticeship Program (KAP) is designed to encourage the growth of Australian Apprentices (apprentices) training towards critical occupations listed as clean energy or housing construction occupations on the Priority List.

KAP provides financial support of up to $10,000 to eligible full-time apprentices and up to $5,000 for eligible part-time apprentices, paid in five instalments over the life of the Australian Apprenticeship. 

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for the KAP, an apprentice must: 

• Have commenced or recommenced their Australian Apprenticeship on or after 1 July 2025; and
• Be undertaking:
  • A Certificate III or above qualification listed on the Priority List and identified as a clean energy or housing construction qualification; and
  • An Australian Apprenticeship with an occupational outcome listed on the Priority List that is identified as a clean energy or housing construction occupation; and
• Have their employer declare, and be able to demonstrate:
  • Business engagement and operation with the relevant KAP sector; and
  • That the Australian Apprentice will be provided with meaningful exposure, experience, and work in the relevant KAP sector, appropriate to skill level and/or off-the-job training; and
• A signed declaration must be received from:
  • The Australian Apprentice stating their commitment to build skills in the relevant KAP sector including selecting relevant electives in their training, where available and appropriate; and
  • Their employer stating their commitment to provide ongoing exposure, experience and work in the relevant KAP sector; and
• The Australian Apprentice must be in-training with their employer on the claim period end date.

In addition to the above requirements, the Australian Apprentice must not be in receipt of the Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment (AATSP) for the same Australian Apprenticeship.

For further information about the KAP, including payment rates download our factsheet.

The New Energy Apprentice Support Payment (NEASP) ceased on 30 June 2025.

From 1 July 2025 any Australian Apprentice receiving support through the NEASP will continue to have their remaining payments made through the NEASP according to the following schedule and rates:  

• $2,000 at 6,12,24 and 36 months and on completion (full-time)
• $1,000 at 6,12,24 and 36 months and on completion (part-time)  

New commencements or recommencements from 1 July 2025 will receive payments under the clean energy stream through the KAP.

Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans (AASL) provide an incentive for young Australians to become an apprentice or trainees and help complete their skills training. They are designed to ease the financial burden and help with everyday living expenses while undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship.

Am I eligible?

The Australian Government offers a loan of up to $25,983 (2025-2026) over the life of an apprenticeship to Australian Apprentices (apprentices) who are undertaking a Certificate III of above qualification that leads to an occupational outcome on the Priority List.

From 1 July 2025, the monthly instalment rates are as follows:

• First year $10,394 (12 monthly payments of $866.17)
• Second year $7,795 (12 monthly payments of $649.58)
• Third year $5,197 (12 monthly payments of $433.08)
• Fourth year (and beyond) $2,598 (12 monthly payments of $216.50)

AASL are to be repaid via the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) once apprentices have reached the minimum income threshold. For the 2025-2026 financial year, the repayment threshold is $56,156.

Australian Apprentices who complete their qualification will receive a 20 percent discount on their total loan amount.

To find out more about Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans, please visit apprenticeships.gov.au.

Further information 

• How to apply for Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans
• Australian Apprentice Support Loans applications in ADMS
• AASL information for under 18s
• AASL information for under 18s (parent/guardian version)

The Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA) is available to eligible full-time or part-time Australian Apprentices (apprentices) during the first three years of training if an apprentice needs to move away from their parental or legal guardian’s home for the first time in order to:

• Take up an Australian Apprenticeship; or
• Remain in an Australian Apprenticeship; or
• Receive essential supplementary on-the-job training with another employer.

Apprentices may be eligible to receive the LAFHA if they are undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship and they are, or become, homeless.

LAFHA is paid in arrears at the following rates: 

• $120.00 per week for the first 12-month period
• $90.00 per week for the second 12-month period
• $45.00 per week for the third 12-month period 

The allowance is not available to Australian Apprentices who:

• Have lodged a claim for Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY; or
• Receive rental or accommodation assistance from Centrelink or their employer; or
• Moved away from their parental or legal guardian’s home three months or more before starting their Australian Apprenticeship

For further information about the LAFHA, including payment rates visit apprenticeships.gov.au.

Australian Apprentices (apprentices) may qualify for a Low Income Health Care Card which entitles access to cheaper prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).  

To be eligible for a Low Income Health Care Card, apprentices must meet the Australian residence rules, including on the day you claim you must be: 

• Living in Australia
• Physically in Australia

And

Apprentices must hold one of the following:

• An Australian citizenship
• A permanent visa
• A Special Category visa
• A certain temporary visa, that is a partner provisional or temporary protection type visa

For further information about the Low Income Health Care Card, visit Services Australia.

For information about the incentives available to NSW apprentices and trainees please visit education.nsw.gov.au.

Transport concessions

If you're an apprentice or trainee registered with Training Services NSW and in an active apprenticeship or traineeship, you're entitled to concession rates when travelling on public transport in NSW.

For further information or to apply online visit service.nsw.gov.au.

Rebate on car registration for apprentices

First and second year apprentices may be eligible to receive a $100 rebate on their car registration. To be eligible for the rebate, the vehicle must be registered in NSW in the name of an eligible apprentice and due for renewal and paid after becoming an apprentice.

For further information or to apply visit education.nsw.gov.au.

Travel, accommodation and relocation assistance

Apprentices and new entrant trainees may be eligible to receive:

• Travel and accommodation assistance if they need to travel more than 120km (round trip) to attend approved training with their Registered Training Organisation
• Relocation and rental assistance if they are unemployed and need to relocate more than 60km in order to continue their apprenticeship with a new employer

For further information or to apply visit education.nsw.gov.au.

Regional scholarship – The Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarship

The Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarship aims to support NSW apprentices who have demonstrated:

• hardship in their personal circumstances
• capability for vocational education and training that leads to successful completion of their trade training
• a positive attitude and application in workplace and formal training

The scholarships are worth $5,000 each year for up to three years and are open to NSW registered apprentices in both metropolitan and country areas, including school-based apprentices.

For more information please visit education.nsw.gov.au.

Travel and accommodation assistance

Apprentices and trainees (not including school-based) may be eligible for travel and accommodation assistance where they are required to travel at least 100km (round trip) to attend training at the closest Registered Training Organisation.

For further information or to apply visit qld.gov.au.

Training subsidies

There are many ways to reduce the cost of an apprenticeship or traineeship in Queensland, including the below programs: 

• Fee-Free TAFE
• Free construction apprenticeships for over 25s
• User Choice
• Skilling Queenslanders for Work, helping fund disadvantaged job seekers, youth and low skilled workers into traineeships and qualifications

Trade Apprentice Registration Discount 

Trade apprentices using their car for work may be eligible to get 100% off your registration renewal.

For further information or to apply please visit vicroads.vic.gov.au

Training subsidies

There are many ways to reduce the cost of an apprenticeship or traineeship in Victoria, including the below programs: 

• Free TAFE, providing access to more than 80 Free TAFE qualifications and short courses
• Reconnect, helping participants overcome barriers preventing them from engaging in education and training and provides support into further study or employment pathways

Travel and accommodation allowances (TAA) 

Apprentices and trainees are eligible for travel and accommodation allowances if they are a WA resident attending off the job training and traveling more than 70 kms (round-trip) from their residential address to attend the closest training provider.

For further information and to apply please visit wa.gov.au.

Construction Training Fund 

The Construction Training Fund offer a range of grants and subsidies to apprentices and trainees to help grow a skilled and sustainable construction industry in Western Australia. 

Support includes: 

• Apprentice Support Bonus of up to $3,000
• Apprentice Tool Allowance of up to $2,000
• A Pre-apprenticeship Award of $500
• Travel and accommodation allowances in addition to those provided by the Department of Training and Workforce Development

For further information visit ctf.wa.gov.au/funding.