Apprenticeship support

An Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan can help you pay for your everyday living expenses while you undertake your Australian Apprenticeship or Traineeships (collective known as an ‘apprenticeship’. It is an interest-free government funded loan paid in monthly instalments for up to six months at a time. You can decide how much you borrow and how you would like to spend your money.     

Your debt is indexed annually and you will get a 20% discount on your debt when you successful complete your apprenticeship.  

You will not have to repay the loans until you are are earning an income above the minimum repayment threshold ($54,435 in 2024-5). Repayments are made through the income tax system (like a university HELP loan).

Check the Australian Apprenticeships Support Loan to see if you are eligible.  

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.

A Low Income Health Care Card is a concession card that can help you get cheaper health card and some other discounts if you are on a low income. 

Find out more and see if you are eligible.

When you train in a priority occupation you may be eligible for an incentive to support you to complete your apprenticeship and offset the cost of living. You can apply for one of the two payments below.

• If you’re training towards a qualification listed on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List, you can apply for The Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment 
• If you have chosen a clean energy occupation from the list, you can apply for The New Energy Apprentice Support Payment  

Please contact the Apprenticeship Support Australia team to see if you are eligible on 1300 363 831
info@apprenticeshipsupport.com.au

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.