Traineeships and Apprenticeships Assistance
Australian Apprenticeships (often referred to as apprenticeships or traineeships) are available to anyone of working age. You don’t need a secondary school certificate or other qualification to be able to do an Australian Apprenticeship. You can do an Australian Apprenticeship if you are a school-leaver, re-entering the workforce or as an adult worker simply wishing to change careers. You can even begin your Australian Apprenticeship while you’re still at school finishing Years 11 and 12. As an Australian Apprentice you can combine time at work with training, and can be either full-time, part-time or school-based. More information on Australian Apprenticeships, including eligibility, visit the Australian Apprenticeships or Australian Apprenticeship Pathways websites.
School based Apprenticeships
You may be able to start an Australian Apprenticeship while you’re still at school. Australian School -based Apprenticeships are a mix of academic, vocational education and training, and paid employment, where students’ school studies, training, and work all fit together. Your career advisers and teachers will be able to provide you with information about options available at your school. School students can complete an Australian Apprenticeship whilst they are still at school. This is known as an Australian School-based Apprenticeship.
Australian Apprentices with Disability
Australian Apprentices with disability and their employers may be eligible to receive additional assistance under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program. A range of assistance is available to support Australian Apprentices with disability, including Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support which is paid to employers, and assistance for tutorial, interpreter and mentor services for apprentices. Assistance is also available through the Employment Assistance Fund which helps people with disability and mental health condition by providing assistance to purchase a range of work related modifications and services. Employers can access the scheme via JobAccess or through Disability Employment Services or Job Services Australia. This assistance is intended to help the Australian Apprentice with disability, either directly, or indirectly through their employer, to reach their full potential as a skilled worker and to ensure that they are not excluded from participation in the Program.
Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS)
Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS) is an Australian Government incentive payable to an employer who employs an Australian Apprentice who satisfies the disability eligibility criteria in an Australian Apprenticeship. This wage support is also available to an employer who employs an Australian Apprentice who becomes disabled during their apprenticeship or traineeship.
Tutorial, interpreter and mentor services
Tutorial, interpreter and mentor services are available to Australian Apprentices who have been assessed as eligible for DAAWS and who require additional assistance with their off-the-job training. This form of assistance is payable only to the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in respect of an Australian Apprentice eligible for DAAWS where the Australian Apprentice is experiencing difficulty with the off-the-job training component of their Australian Apprenticeship because of that disability.
The Occupational Assessment supports the provision of additional assistance and the RTO proposes specific additional assistance related to off-the-job training. Payments for these services are made directly to the RTO providing or facilitating the service.
Employment assistance fund for work modifications and services
The Employment Assistance Fund helps people with disability and mental health condition by providing financial assistance to purchase a range of work related modifications and services. Assistance is available for people who are about to start a job or who are currently working, as well as those who require assistance to find and prepare for work. The Fund may reimburse the cost of work related modifications and services including, but not limited to:
- The cost of modifications to the physical work environment
- Modifications to work vehicles
- Adaptive equipment for the workplace
- Information and communication devices
- Auslan interpreting
- Specialist services for employees with specific learning disorders and mental health conditions
- Disability awareness training
- Deafness awareness training, and
- Mental health awareness training
Job Access Advisers
If you have questions but are not sure who to ask, the JobAccess Advisers can help. To contact a JobAccess Adviser or call 1800 464 800
Recruitment agencies may also apply for reimbursement of Auslan interpreting that they provide for a job interview. Further information can be found on the JobAccess Website.
Australian Apprenticeships referral line
For more information about Australian Apprenticeships visit your local Australian Apprenticeships Centre or call the Australian Apprenticeships referral line on 13 38 73 to find Australian Apprenticeships Centres in your region.
Fact Sheet: Support for Australian Apprentices with disability PDF