Hiring an apprentice can help your business build the skilled workforce it needs for the future, but taking on someone new also comes with costs.
From 1 August 2026, eligible Queensland construction businesses may be able to access financial support through the new TradieStart apprentice incentive.
For small businesses hiring their first apprentice, the incentive could provide between $10,000 and $16,000 to help with the cost of employing, supervising and supporting them.
Places are limited, so construction business owners considering hiring an apprentice should understand the requirements and prepare early.
What is the TradieStart apprentice incentive?
TradieStart is a joint initiative of the Queensland Government and Construction Skills Queensland designed to support more apprenticeships across Queensland’s construction workforce.
The program will provide incentives for the first 2,500 eligible apprentices registered across two streams:
- Stream 1: Small businesses
- Stream 2: Medium and large businesses and group training organisations
Of these places, 1,500 are available for apprentices employed through the small business stream.
Is your small business eligible?
Stream 1 is designed for small Queensland construction businesses taking on an apprentice for the first time.
To be eligible, your business must:
- employ between 1 and 19 employees, excluding contractors
- have an annual turnover of less than $10 million
- employ a Queensland-registered construction apprentice who commences or recommences their apprenticeship from 1 August 2026
- wait until the apprentice has completed their probation period, which is generally 90 days, before registering
- have no previous record of employing an apprentice under a Queensland training contract
- complete an eligible free TAFE Queensland micro-credential before claiming a payment.
The required micro-credential must cover mentoring, workplace safety or supervision. This requirement is intended to help businesses create a safe and supportive environment for their apprentice.
Your apprentice must also be among the first 1,500 eligible apprentices registered under Stream 1.
How much could your business receive?
Eligible small businesses may receive two payments while the apprentice remains employed.
The total amount depends on the apprentice’s age when they begin their apprenticeship and employment with your business.
Standard small business payments
| Apprentice’s age when commencing | Payment after 6 months | Payment after 18 months | Total available |
| Under 21 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| 21 or over | $7,000 | $7,000 | $14,000 |
Payments for apprentices from a priority cohort
A higher payment may be available when the apprentice identifies as:
- a woman
- a veteran
- an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
- a person with disability.
| Apprentice’s age when commencing | Payment after 6 months | Payment after 18 months | Total available |
| Under 21 | $6,000 | $6,000 | $12,000 |
| 21 or over | $8,000 | $8,000 | $16,000 |
Businesses can receive either the standard payment or the priority cohort payment. The two payment types cannot be combined.
When an apprenticeship is completed before the apprentice reaches 18 months of employment, the final payment may be made at completion, provided the apprentice has been employed for at least six months.
Stream 2 – Large Employers and GTOs
To be eligible for an incentive under Stream 2, your business must:
- be a medium or large business or group training organisation with 20 or more employees (excluding contractors)
- have an annual turnover of at least $10 million
- employ a new Queensland-registered construction apprentice who commenced from 1 August 2026, has completed probation, and identifies with a priority cohort.
Group Training Organisations must also commit to reducing the service fee charged to the host employer of the apprentice.
Your apprentice must be one of the first 1,000 registered for an eligible apprenticeship.
When can businesses register?
The TradieStart registration form will become available from 1 August 2026.
However, businesses cannot register immediately after hiring an apprentice. Before submitting the form, the business must meet the eligibility requirements and the apprentice must have completed their probation period.
Registration applications are expected to be processed within 30 business days. Businesses will then be notified of the outcome.
Because only 1,500 eligible apprentices can be registered under the small business stream, eligible employers should avoid unnecessary delays once the probation requirement has been met.
When can businesses claim a payment?
A separate claim form is expected to become available in early 2027.
Once a business’s registration has been approved and the apprentice reaches an eligible employment milestone, the employer can submit a claim for payment.
Approved payments are expected to be processed within five business days after the claim has been assessed and approved.
What if your business already employs an apprentice?
TradieStart’s small business stream is intended for businesses with no previous record of employing an apprentice under a Queensland training contract.
Small businesses that already employ an apprentice may instead be eligible for support through the Queensland Government’s Small Business Apprenticeship Program.
That program provides eligible small construction businesses with a wage subsidy while their apprentices attend training. Different eligibility requirements, payment arrangements and registration limits apply.
What should your business do next?
Businesses considering hiring their first apprentice can begin preparing by:
- Confirming that the business meets the employee and turnover limits.
- Identifying an eligible Queensland construction apprenticeship.
- Planning how the apprentice will be supervised, mentored and supported.
- Reviewing the required TAFE Queensland micro-credentials.
- Keeping employment and training contract records available.
- Checking the official TradieStart requirements before recruiting or registering.
Financial support can make hiring an apprentice more achievable, but an apprenticeship is also a long-term commitment. Employers need to provide appropriate work, supervision, training opportunities and a safe workplace throughout the apprenticeship.
Find out more
Before making employment or financial decisions, businesses should review the full TradieStart funding guidelines and frequently asked questions on the Business Queensland website.
For assistance with the program, contact the TradieStart team:
Phone: 1800 210 210
Email: tradiestart@dtet.qld.gov.au
Program requirements, dates and availability may change. Confirm the latest information with Business Queensland before hiring or submitting a registration.