91̽»¨

Federal Government Wage Subsidy for Host Businesses

15 March 2020

91̽»¨ welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement of a $17.6 billion stimulus package in response to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

This package includes a wage subsidy that is available to help small businesses with less than 20 full-time employees, retain both apprentices and trainees.

The Government has confirmed that host businesses are eligible for the subsidy in the same way as direct employers.

Key Details:

• Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50% of the apprentice’s or trainee’s wage paid during the nine months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020.
• The apprentice or trainee must have been in training with a small business as at 1 March 2020.
• Employers will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $21,000 per eligible apprentice or trainee.
• Employers of any size who re-engage an eligible out-of-trade apprentice or trainee will be eligible for the subsidy.
• Employers will be able to access the subsidy after an eligibility assessment is undertaken by an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider.
• Employers can register for the subsidy from early-April 2020.

91̽»¨ will continue to keep you updated as more information becomes available about the wage subsidy application process. Whilst the process is yet to be confirmed, 91̽»¨ intends to manage the process on behalf of host businesses and maximise their subsidies.

If you have any questions, please contact your designated 91̽»¨ Employment Career Partner.

More information is also available through the and .