As an Australian Apprentice, you may be eligible for financial and non-financial support from the Australian Government and/or the NSW Government. The easiest way to check what support you may be eligible for is to check the Apprenticeships Incentives Explorer or you can speak to your Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider.

As an Australian Apprentice, you may be eligible for financial and non-financial support from the Australian Government and/or the NSW Government. The easiest way to check what support you may be eligible for is to check the Apprenticeships Incentives Explorer or you can speak to your Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider.

Key Apprenticeship Program Apprentice Incentive

Eligible Australian Apprentices can claim up to $10,000 for a full-time apprenticeship and up to $5,000 for a part-time apprenticeship over the life of the Australian Apprenticeship Journey, according to the following schedule and rates:

• $2,000 at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months and on completion (full-time)
• $1,000 at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months and on completion (part-time)

To be eligible for the Key Apprenticeship Program, you must:

• meet all primary eligibility requirements.
• commenced or recommenced on or after 1 July 2025.
• be undertaking a qualification at the Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma level listed on the Priority List.
•  and identified as new energy or housing construction qualification.
• employed by an organisation who can provide meaningful exposure, experience, and work in the relevant KAP sector (clean energy or housing construction).

Fee Free Apprenticeship Training

Apprenticeships are a proven pathway to well-paid jobs in a diverse range of careers. In NSW, apprenticeships are fee free until 30 June 2027– meaning no more upfront training costs for students or employers. There’s never been a better time to start an apprenticeship in NSW. The NSW Government is paying the course cost for new apprenticeships – meaning apprentices undertaking a government funded apprenticeship no longer face a student fee of up to $2000.

Fee free apprenticeships are available to NSW apprentices – including school-based apprentices whose training:

• is funded under the NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled Program
• commences before 30 June 2027

Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans

An Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan (AASL) is an interest free loan to help you purchase trade tools and supplies while being an apprentice. You can borrow up to $25,983 (2025-2026), which is paid in monthly instalments. You can apply for an AASL if you are completing an Australian Apprenticeship in a qualification listed on the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List.

You will not have to repay your loan until you are earning an income above the minimum repayment threshold ($67,000 for 2025-26). In order to maintain the real value of the loan, the loan amount will be indexed according to the Consumer Price Index annually.

Once you complete your apprenticeship, you will receive a 20% discount on your loan amount.

To find out more about an AASL, talk to your Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider. Your provider will take you (and your parent or guardian if you’re under 18) through the loan program in detail.

Living Away from Home Allowance

If you have to move away from your parents’ or guardians’ home to take up or continue training as an Australian Apprentice, you may be eligible for the Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA) to support you with the additional costs of living.

LAFHA is a weekly tax-free payment that reduces as you progress in your training:

• In your first year of training, you would receive: $77.17 per week
• In your second year of training, you would receive: $38.59 per week
• In your third year of training, you would receive: $25 per week

The Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System Guidelines outline the detailed eligibility for the Living Away From Home Allowance. Your Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider will be able to advise you on your eligibility and can help you to lodge a claim.

Other Government payments

In addition to apprenticeship supports, you may be eligible for other general supports on offer from Services Australia while training as an apprentice.

These payments may include:

• Youth Allowance– Financial help if you’re 24 or younger.
• Austudy– Financial help if you’re 25 or older.
• ABSTUDY– Payments for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander apprentices.

To learn more about these payments, visit the Services Australia website.

State and Territory Government Support

Your state or territory may offer additional incentives throughout your training. Speak you’re your Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider to learn about what else may be available.