Programs to employ apprentices or trainees

Programs to help you recruit new apprentices or trainees to grow your business. Including school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, support for Aboriginal staff and business, and opportunities employing people with disabilities. 

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There are many programs to help you get a good apprentice or trainee on board.  

As well as the information below, see Get funding and support which includes information on incentives and the CAPS program.

See How to employ an apprentice or trainee if it’s your first time hiring. 

Employing school-based apprentices and trainees 

Employing a school-based apprentice or trainee can help build the future workforce.  

A school-based apprenticeship or traineeship involves:  

  • formal training by a Registered Training Organisation
  • school  
  • part-time or one day a week in paid employment.  

Year 10, 11 and 12 high school students can be part of this program.  

For details see For employers – School-based apprenticeships and traineeships - Skills NSW 

Employing Aboriginal apprentices or trainees

There are some great opportunities to help you employ and upskill Aboriginal apprentices or trainees.  

Barranggirra - Skilling for Employment:  

  • provides end-to-end support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners.  

The program: 

  • helps build stronger links for Aboriginal people 
  • finds employment and training opportunities in NSW. 

See Barranggirra - Skilling for Employment Initiative 

Fee-free apprenticeship and traineeship training  

Eligible Aboriginal students can get fee-free training with approved training providers. Employees can hone their skills and pick up new ones. See Smart and Skilled. 

Employing people with disabilities 

There are programs to help you recruit and train people with disabilities as apprentices and trainees, to help grow your business. 

Employing people with disability as apprentices or trainees may entitle you to government incentives.

Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS)

If you’re an employer who has taken on an eligible apprentice or trainee with disability, you may also be entitled to DAAWS.  DAAWS is a Commonwealth-funded wage subsidy for employers. 

Your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider can advise you on the eligibility criteria and assist with the paperwork.  

Employment assistance

Australian Government assistance to employers includes the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) | Job Access You may get support for:

  • Workplace modification - refund of expenses 
  • Tutoring for the formal training component 
  • Mentoring in the workplace or training organisation 
  • Interpreter services (for the hearing impaired). 

Other programs to help you recruit and train 

To find out about other government support and incentives for recruiting and retaining apprentices and trainees see Get funding and support.

This includes information on using the CAPS program to recruit apprentices and trainees.

For other quality vocational education and training programs and opportunities for apprenticeships and traineeships, see

This includes opportunities under Smart & Skilled for refugees and regional and rural workers. 

Related Information 

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