Employer incentives and subsidies for apprenticeships and traineeships

When you employ an apprentice or trainee in Queensland, you may be eligible for financial support to reduce the cost of training and supervision throughout the apprenticeship or traineeship.

Financial support comes in many forms:

  • one-off incentive payments
  • subsidies (wages, training)
  • discounts (workers' compensation)
  • exemptions (payroll tax).

Support payments do not cover the full cost of employing an apprentice or trainee. But, depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for more than one kind of payment.

Australian Government incentives

You may be eligible for financial assistance from the Australian Government to help with hiring and training an apprentice or trainee.

Australian Government apprentice and trainee incentives

Learn about wage subsidies, skills shortage payments and support for apprentices or trainees who are mature-aged or have a disability.

Queensland Government incentives

One-off payments

Government pays for

Eligibility criteria

Program name

Support payment of up to $20,000

Employers who recruit eligible unemployed jobseekers in regional Queensland

Back to Work

Training subsidies

Government pays for

Eligibility criteria

Program name

A contribution to the cost of training for priority apprenticeship and traineeship qualifications. These subsidies are paid directly to the eligible Skills Assure Supplier Registered apprentices and trainees, who are under 25 and studying a priority apprenticeship or traineeship qualification. Only available through pre-approved training organisations

Free apprenticeships for under 25s

Registered apprentices and trainees, who are doing a high priority apprenticeship or traineeship. Only available through pre-approved training organisations

User Choice

Prior to 1 July 2023:

  • up to 26c/km for road and rail travel
  • $40 per night for intrastate accommodation
  • $76 per night for interstate accommodation
  • for flights

After 1 July 2023:

  • up to 32c/km for road and rail travel
  • $55 per night for intrastate accommodation
  • $105 per night for interstate accommodation for stays after 1 July 2023
  • for flights

Registered apprentices and trainees must meet specific criteria including travelling more than 100km return to attend off-the-job training with their closest training organisation

Travel and accommodation allowance

Insurance discounts

Government pays for

Eligibility criteria

Program name

Discount on workers' compensation premium

Apprentices only, not trainees

Apprentice Discount (WorkCover Queensland)

Tax exemptions

Government pays for

Eligibility criteria

Program name

50% rebate on payroll taxes, from 1 July 2016

Apprentice and trainee wages that are exempt from payroll tax, from the 2016–17 to 2022–23 financial years

Apprentice and trainee rebate for payroll tax

When you get paid

Each incentive or subsidy will have different payment conditions, amounts and frequencies. Check the programs you’re eligible for to find specific details.