Reviewing the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System
- Policy
The Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System offers financial assistance to apprentices, trainees and employees in priority industries. This assistance has motivated individuals to undertake an apprenticeship while also encouraging employers, including clubs, to support the training of aspiring skilled workers.
Cooks and chefs, who are in high demand at clubs, are included in the ‘priority’ skills list. This has supported venues in receiving wage subsidies for apprentices who are training to be chefs or cooks.
The Commonwealth Government is conducting a strategic review of Australian apprenticeship incentives to ensure the system is fit for purpose.
ClubsNSW, through Clubs Australia, provided a submission highlighting that sufficient support should be provided for apprentices and businesses to build a skilled and highly trained workforce. Without the right trade and technical skills, our nation will suffer.
After consulting with clubs, Clubs Australia put forward the following recommendations:
- Keeping the priority wage subsidy for employers of an apprentice training towards an occupation in the club sector.
- Keeping the hiring incentive for employers engaging an apprentice who is not undertaking a course listed on the priority occupation list.
- Exploring further opportunities to support clubs in employing apprentices in key cohorts, such as individuals with disability, women, First Nations people and those in regional locations.
- Continuing to provide additional support for apprentices in priority cohorts, including chefs and cooks, through the Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment.
ClubsNSW anticipates the Commonwealth Government will soon provide updates on the future of certain incentives, including the Australian Apprenticeship Support Payment, which is set to expire on 30 June 2024.
We are optimistic about the ongoing support for the apprenticeship incentive system, which supports apprentices and employers in the club sector.
Clubs can stay tuned on the progress of the review here.
ClubsNSW often participates in government consultations in the skills and training domain, so if you currently employ or have engaged an apprentice, feel free to share your feedback or suggestions with ClubsNSW’s Policy and Industry Advisor, Chanel Beynon, at [email protected].
