Apprenticeship support

In order to support Australian Apprentices and help them to meet everyday costs whilst they undertake their training, eligible apprentices can apply for a Trade Support Loans which can provide up to $24,492 worth of income contingent loans and are paid monthly in arrears.

Apprentices will not have to repay the loans until they are earning an income above the minimum repayment threshold. In order to maintain the real value of the loans, the loan amount will be indexed according to the Consumer Price Index.

Apprentices who successfully complete their apprenticeship will receive a 20% discount on their loan amount.

Other assistance or incentives may be available from your state training authority. Please consult the Skills Victoria website for further information and how to apply.

There are a range of Government supports and incentives available to Australian Apprentices. Try the Apprentices Incentives Explorer tool at Australian Apprenticeships to find out what you may be eligible for. . Some of the other initiatives currently available across Victoria (note these may change) include:

• Living Away from Home Allowance
• Car registration discounts
• Travel and Accommodated Allowances
• Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY
• Discounted Health Care and Travel allowances

Your Australian Apprenticeship Support Network Provider will be able to provide you with information on Living Away from Home Allowance and car rego.

Services Australia will be able to advise you what you may be eligible for when you commence your work contract.

Throughout the time you are enrolled at The Gordon as part of your apprenticeship or traineeship, you are eligible to use all of the free support services available to Gordon students. Find out more about the services available to you at The Gordon by exploring Wellbeing and Support in the Student Portal.

The Apprentice EAP offers free confidential short-term counselling and coaching for a broad range of health and wellbeing matters.

Additional support for off-the-job training is available to Australian Apprentices with a disability including if you are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and are experiencing difficulty. This could be tutorial assistance, mentor assistance or interpreter assistance.

Help may also be available through the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) which can provide financial aid to obtain workplace assistance and support services, such as modified equipment or training.

Find out more at Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Supports (DAAWS)   

Additional non-financial support is available for women who commence in eligible trade occupations on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. The aim is to help more women to complete their apprenticeship and go on to have successful careers. Support includes:

• personalised advice and information on career options and apprenticeship pathways
• pastoral care
• career and industry mentoring
• access to professional networks
• entrepreneurship training.

The Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program aims to assist apprentices and trainees who have lost their employment complete their training.
Apprentices and trainees who have lost their employment are encouraged to register for the program. Once registered, you will be assisted by one of our program officers until placed with a host employer through a Group Training Organisation (GTO) or directly with an employer. They will also help direct you to the most appropriate advice and assistance while you remain out of employment.

• Register your details: https://aen.org.au/outoftrade-participant-registration/
• Find out more: Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program (aen.org.au)

Tools and resources on how to find and prepare for an apprenticeship, as well as advice on starting, continuing and completing your apprenticeship. It includes an Apprenticeships Incentive Explorer, so that you can find what financial support and incentives you may be eligible for as an apprentice and also a direct link to the Apprenticeship Data Management System (ADMS), where you can

• Apply for Trade Support Loans (TSL)
• Apply for Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA)
• Complete claim applications for either the Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment (AATSP) or New Energy Apprentice Support Payment (NEASP) where they have been assessed as eligible for their Australian Apprenticeship

Victorian Registrations and Qualifications Authority provides essential information about being an apprentice or training including advice about:

• changing your apprenticeship or traineeship
• completing your apprenticeship or traineeship
• your rights and responsibilities
• trade apprentice vehicle registration discount
• dealing with issues and problems

Apprenticeship Network offer mentoring support on a range of issues including:

• Finances and information on loans and incentives
• Study commitments
• Workplace dynamics
• Communication
• Managing emotions
• Connection to professional support services

If you need help or information about Australian Apprenticeships, contact your Apprenticeship Network provider.