Generous financial incentives for apprentices and their employers are due to end in July, but the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Australian Industry Group have urged the federal government to announce a two-year extension of the incentives in the May budget.
For occupations that the Albanese government had identified as priorities, such as electricians, carpenters, and aged-care professionals, employer incentive payments under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives System will decrease by up to 70% starting on July 1.
Payments to apprentices and trainees will also be decreased by 40% in priority vocations, while employers of apprentices will get no financing in non-priority fields.
