Apprenticeship Training Subsidy
Employers of eligible apprentices and trainees will receive a $7,000 Training Subsidy across the first two years of the training contract. Payments are made in six-monthly instalments and are intended to offset the cost of:
- Supervision and mentoring
- Onboarding and induction
- Training time, both on and off the job
- Workplace equipment and support
Whether apprentices are employed directly or hosted through a Group Training Organisation, the full value of the subsidy must be passed on to the employer.
Critical Construction Incentive
$2,400 paid across Years 1 and 2 to support occupations essential to industry but not currently recognised on the national Priority List.
Eligible qualifications include:
- Certificate III in Civil Construction
- Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations
- Certificate III in Concreting
- Certificate III in Demolition
- Certificate III in Scaffolding
- Certificate III in Steelfixing
Supporting Safe, Inclusive and Modern Workplaces
CITB’s broader programs are designed to support employers in improving workplace culture, safety and retention. Employers may also participate in:
- Workplace Diversity Initiatives
- Culture, leadership and inclusion training
- Regional workforce development initiatives
- Programs that support mental health and wellbeing
These initiatives help businesses build strong, capable and supportive teams.
Short Course Training Support
Employers can support their employees to access up to $3,000 per year in subsidised short course training, with subsidies available up to the full value of eligible courses. This investment helps improve safety, build skills and strengthen capability across the workforce, delivering clear benefits for employers through a more skilled, productive and safety-focused team.
Subsidies are available across three training categories:
- Essential Courses – Training critical to safety, licensing, compliance and core construction capability. This includes high-risk work, EWP, working at heights and other safety-related units that meet regulatory requirements.
- Important Courses – Training that strengthens productivity, specialised skills and technical capability on site, including plant, equipment and trade-specific skill development.
- Supplementary Courses – Courses that support broader professional development, leadership, technology use, communication and positive workplace culture.
All subsidies must be passed on directly to the student by CITB’s Endorsed Training Providers.
Attraction and Retention Incentives
A suite of targeted incentives is available to help employers address skills shortages, improve retention and strengthen diversity across the industry. These include:
School-Based Apprenticeship Incentive – up to $4,000
Supports employers who help young people complete their SACE while beginning their apprenticeship pathway.
Adult Apprentice Incentive – $12,000
Provides additional support to apprentices aged 21 and over, recognising the different financial and personal responsibilities older apprentices may have.
Diversity Incentive – $3,000
Supports employers who engage female or First Nations apprentices, creating more diverse and inclusive workplaces.
Completion Incentive – $1,000
Encourages and rewards employers who support apprentices through to successful completion.
Below is a detailed breakdown of CITB’s Attraction and Retention Incentives for employers, along with information on when each incentive is available.