Apprenticeships Priority List

If your business operates in one of the trades listed on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List you may be eligible to receive financial assistance to take on an apprentice or trainee or up-skill current staff.

The Australian Apprenticeships Priority List identifies traditional trades that are identified as experiencing a national skills shortage. The list is based on detailed labour market research and analysis and replaces the former National Skills Needs List.

Under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives System, an Australian Apprentice undertaking a Certificate III or IV qualification that leads to an occupation listed on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List may be eligible to attract additional incentives.

The 2024 list identifies occupations classified by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) as experiencing skills shortages. In 2024, 19 new occupations were added. Download the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List (PDF). 

An Australian Apprentice undertaking a qualification at either Certificate III, IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma level leading to an occupation on the Priority List may be eligible for an Apprentice Training Support Payment of up to $5,000 (full time equivalent) paid in instalments over the first two years of their Australian Apprenticeship. 

Eligible apprentices and trainees can also apply for an Australian Apprentice Support Loan (formerly known as Trades Support Loan). You can borrow just a small amount over a few months or receive payments over the four years of your apprenticeship, up to the lifetime limit of $24,492. On completion of your apprenticeship or traineeship, you will also receive a 20% discount on the loan.

Employers of Australian Apprentices in Priority List occupations may be eligible for a Priority Wage Subsidy, set at 10 per cent of the apprentice’s wages for the first and second year, up to a maximum of $1,500 per quarter, and 5 per cent of the apprentice’s wages in the third year, up to a maximum of $750 per quarter (full time equivalent).

Employers of Australian Apprentices in occupations not on the Priority List may be eligible for a Hiring Incentive of up to a maximum of $3,500 (full time equivalent) in the first year of an Australian Apprenticeship.

Trades on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List: