Apprentice Government Subsidies: How Employers Claim Them

Key Takeaways

• Employer payments are claimed through the Apprenticeships Data Management System (ADMS), with help from your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider (ACAP).
• Current payments fall due at 6 and 12 months, and the apprentice must still be in training with the employer.
• Older percentage-of-wage subsidies apply only to grandfathered apprenticeships.
• Under group training, the GTO is the employer and lodges the claim.
• Keep your payroll and training records up to date before each milestone.

Introduction

Apprentice government subsidies are claimed, not paid automatically. The employer registers the training contract through an ACAP, then lodges a claim at each milestone. Miss the steps or lose the apprentice before a milestone and the payment may not be made.

This guide covers the claiming process. For the amounts themselves and what changes in 2027, read our guide to apprentice incentives for employers in 2026.

Subsidy, Incentive or Wage Support?

These words are used loosely, and the difference matters when you search for rules.

• A wage subsidy pays a share of wages. The Priority Wage Subsidy paid 10% of the apprentice's wages for the first 24 months (up to $1,500 per quarter) and 5% for the third 12 months (up to $750 per quarter). It applies only to apprentices who started under the 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2024 guidelines.
• An incentive is a fixed payment. The Priority Hiring Incentive and the Key Apprenticeship Program Employer Incentive are fixed payments made after 6 and 12 months.
• Wage support targets a specific need. Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support pays $226.01 per week for a full-time apprentice.

All three are described on the Australian Government's financial support for employers page.

Who Lodges the Claim

The employer of the apprentice lodges the claim. If you employ the apprentice directly, that is you. If a group training organisation employs the apprentice and places them with you, the GTO lodges it, because it holds the training contract. Our GTO explainer covers how this split works.

The Claiming Process

• Start with an ACAP. The Australian Government says you cannot start an apprenticeship or hire an apprentice without one. It handles the training contract and helps you understand the incentives you could claim. Read the ACAP guide.
• Register the training contract. In Victoria, the ACAP registers the contract on the apprenticeship database, and training starts once the training plan is signed.
• Check the occupation. Most employer payments require a Certificate III or above and a Priority List occupation.
• Lodge claims in ADMS. Claims are processed through the Apprenticeships Data Management System. Our ADMS glossary entry explains the system.
• Confirm the apprentice is in training. DEWR's payment summary states the apprentice must be in training with their employer at the claim period end date.

Timing: 6 and 12 Months

Current employer incentives are paid in two instalments during the first year. For full-time apprentices on the Priority Hiring Incentive, that is $1,000 at 6 months and $1,500 at 12 months. For the Key Apprenticeship Program Employer Incentive it is $2,000 and $3,000. Part-time amounts are half. See the DEWR payments overview for the table.

What If the Apprentice Leaves Early?

Because the apprentice must be in training at the claim date, a cancelled or withdrawn contract before a milestone can mean that instalment is not payable. Tell your ACAP as soon as a problem appears. It can advise on suspension, a change of host or a recommencement. If a GTO is the employer, the GTO can rotate the apprentice to another host and the training contract can continue.

Records That Make Claims Easier

• A copy of the signed training contract and training plan.
• Start date, hours and employment type (full-time or part-time).
• Payroll records showing the apprentice was employed throughout the period.
• Any correspondence with the ACAP and the registered training organisation (RTO).

Payments That Have Ended

Some pages still list schemes that closed to new entrants. The BAC wage subsidy closed on 30 June 2022, and the GTO Reimbursement Pilot Program closed on 30 April 2026. See what the BAC wage subsidy was for the history.

Related Resources

• Financial support for employers (Australian Apprenticeships)
• Payments overview (DEWR)
• Apprentice Connect Australia Provider
• Apprentice incentives for employers in 2026
• Host employer responsibilities
• Hire an apprentice with Future1st

Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I contact to start a claim?

Your ACAP. It registers the training contract and can tell you which incentives apply to your apprentice.

Can I claim if the apprentice is part-time?

Yes, at the part-time rate. For the Priority Hiring Incentive that is $500 at 6 months and $750 at 12 months.

Can I claim two incentives for the same apprentice?

Not always. The Priority Hiring Incentive cannot be received while the Priority Wage Subsidy or Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support is being received for the same apprentice.

Are subsidy payments paid to the apprentice?

Employer incentives are paid to the employer. Apprentice payments such as the Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment are paid to the apprentice.

How do I know if my occupation qualifies?

Use the Priority List Explorer on the Australian Apprenticeships website or ask your ACAP.

Get the Paperwork Handled

If you would rather not manage training contracts and claims yourself, Future1st employs apprentices and trainees and handles the administration for host businesses in Victoria. Call (03) 9656 9797 or use the contact page.