$2.5bn JobTrainer package: What you need to know

The Prime Minster today announced the $2.5bn JobTrainer package to retrain, upskill and open new job opportunities.

The ABS labour force statistics were also released today revealing the unemployment rate has risen to 7.4% in June but with the participation rate increasing by 1.3%. Senator Michaelia Cash stated that “the Government remains acutely aware that the economic fallout from COVID-19 will continue for some time, particularly in light of the recent outbreak of cases in Victoria.”

The Government will announce the future of the JobKeeper program and other stimulus packages on 23 July 2020.

For job seekers and school leavers

An additional 340,700 training places will be created to provide no or low cost courses into sectors with job opportunities. The Government is working with the States and Territories to develop a list of qualifications and skill sets to be covered by the program.

For employers

From 1 July 2020, the JobTrainer package expands the number of businesses that can access the 50% apprentice wage subsidy and extends the subsidy until 31 March 2021 (from 30 September 2020).

Originally, only businesses with less than 20 employees or larger employers employing apprentices/trainees let go by a small business were able to access the subsidy (for wages paid to apprentices employed by them as at 1 March 2020).

Now, businesses with up to 200 employees can access the subsidy for apprentices employed from 1 July 2020.

Employers will be reimbursed 50% of an eligible apprentice’s wage up to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter per apprentice.

Employers will be able to access the subsidy after an assessment by the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network.

Eligibility

You will need to provide evidence of wages paid to the apprentice. If the business subsequently is unable to retain the apprentice, another business can access the incentive if they then employ and pay wages to the apprentice.

Final claims for payment must be lodged by 30 June 2021.

How does the apprenticeship subsidy and JobKeeper work together?

They don’t. It is one or the other.

An employer will not be eligible to claim the apprentice wage subsidy for any period where they choose to claim the JobKeeper payment for the same apprentice.

An employer or Group Training Organisation will not be eligible for the JobKeeper payment where the employer is in receipt of an Australian Government wage subsidy for the same Australian Apprentice (for example Supporting Apprentices and Trainees and the Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy).