Financial Assistance For Apprentices | Youth Central

Apprenticeships and traineeships are a great way to earn while you learn, but on top of that there are ways you can get a bit of additional support.

Trade support loans

Trade support loans are loans of up to $20,000 that can be paid to you while you complete your apprenticeship.

With a trade support loan you can borrow a certain amount of money for a four-year period, starting with a maximum of $8000 in your first year, reducing gradually down to a maximum of $2000 in your fourth year, and totalling $20,000 over the four years.

The money that you borrow is automatically paid back as part of your tax assessment once you start earning what’s called the 'minimum income threshold'. Basically it means you don't have to pay back the loan until you're financially able to do so.

It’s also worth noting that, if you complete your apprenticeship successfully, the amount that you have to repay will be only 80 per cent of what you originally borrowed.

For more information on Trade Support Loans, check out the Australian Apprenticeships Trade Support Loans page.

Living Away from Home Allowance

The Living Away from Home Allowance is an allowance for eligible Australian Apprentices of any age. It's designed to help out during your first three years of training if you have to move away from your parents’ or guardians’ home in order to do your apprenticeship.

It’s available to eligible full- and part-time Australian Apprentices and Australian School-based Apprentices during the first three years of your training.

To find out more check out the Australian Apprenticeships Living Away from Home Allowance page.

Adult apprentices and apprentices with disability

Financial support is also available for some apprentices with specific needs:

Trade apprentice registration discount

If you use your car for your work as an apprentice you may be eligible for discounts on your registration. 

To find out if you're eligible, and how to apply if you are, check out the Trade apprentice registration discount page on the VicRoads website.

Leadership programs

Group Training Australia runs a leadership program for selected apprentices and trainees called Today’s Skills: Tomorrow’s Leaders. In previous years, apprentices and trainees have met with Federal Government representatives to discuss training and work opportunities.

Find out more on the Group Training Australia website.

Links

Australian Apprenticeships - My Gain
Watch video interviews with apprentices, trainees and employers to find out about the range of options out there for apprentices and trainees.

AusAppPathways 
Free app to help you explore careers that can begin through an apprenticeship or traineeship. Search for jobs and training and get advice on apprentice and trainee rights.

Apprenticeships and Traineeships
The Victorian Government has a range of guides and resources about apprenticeships and traineeships in Victoria.

Australian Apprenticeships
The Federal Government's apprenticeships and traineeships scheme.