Adult Age 25+
The first and second years of an apprenticeship can be financially difficult for those entering the workforce for the first time. It can be even more so if you're an adult aged worker and are re-skilling or changing careers.
The good news is there is support available under the Support for Adult Australian Apprentices (SAAA) scheme. The cost of living on an apprentice wage is often seen as a barrier to undertaking an apprenticeship mid career as many people have more financial responsibilities. The SAAA scheme hopes to encourage employers to take on workers aged 25+ and support them through their apprenticeship.
To be eligible for the support you'll need to be 25 years of age or older when you commence an apprenticeship. You'll also need to be completing a Certificate III or IV level trade qualification experiencing a skills shortage. A list of these trades can be found on the National Skills Needs List.
The recipient of the payment is determined based on the actual wage paid to the apprentice. Depending on the apprentice's wage, the scheme aims to either top-up the wage of the adult apprentice or subsidise the employer's wage costs. Payments are worth a total of $13,000 and are paid during the first and second years of the apprenticeship directly into the recipient's bank account.
For full-time apprenticeships SAAA payments are:
- First year of apprenticeship: $150 per week
- Second year of apprenticeship: $100 per week
For part-time apprenticeships SAAA payments are:
- First 24 months of a part-time apprenticeship: $75 per week
- Second 24 months of a part-time apprenticeship: $50 per week
BUSY At Work is contracted by the Australian Government to administer the SAAA payments as part of the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive Program. We can assist you in making an informed decision about which qualification and training outcome will best suit your needs, along with information on appropriate training organisations and their delivery options.
