Apprenticeship Training Subsidy
Eligible apprentices employed by CITB-endorsed GTOs attract a $7,000 Training Subsidy across the first two years of the training contract. Payments are made in quarterly 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
GTOs must pass the full value of the subsidy on to the host employer.
Pass-Through of Subsidies & Incentives to Host Employers
GTOs act as stewards of CITB funding for their host employers. That means that all CITB Subsidies and Incentives must be passed on in full. This ensures a consistent foundation of support across the sector and provides transparency in how funding is used to support apprentice employment.
To recognise the valuable services GTOs provide, an Administrative Incentive will be paid directly to the GTO for the following CITB Grants:
- Apprenticeship Training Subsidy
- School-based Apprentice Commencement Incentive
- Diversity Incentive
- School-based Completion Incentive
- Apprenticeship Completion Incentive
These administrative payments support our GTOs with:
- Apprentice supervision and monitoring
- Pastoral care and wraparound services
- Rotation management
- Administrative and compliance activities
- Engagement with employers and training providers.
Attraction & Retention Incentives
Host employers may be eligible for a suite of attraction and retention incentives, outlined below. GTOs will receive these grants on behalf of the host employer and must pass them on in full.
School-Based Apprenticeship Incentive – $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.
Critical Construction Incentive
Host employers may be eligible for a Critical Construction Incentive, outlined below. GTOs will receive these grants on behalf of the host employer and must pass them on in full.
Critical Construction Incentive – $2,400
$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
Grandfathering Arrangements for Current Apprentices
All apprentices with training contracts approved before 1 January 2026 will continue to be supported under existing arrangements until 2028. This provides certainty and continuity during the transition to the new funding model.
Training and Industry Development Opportunities
Apprentices hosted by GTOs can access:
- Subsidised short courses
- High-risk work licensing
- Safety and compliance training
- Training linked to major project demand
GTOs also play an important role in supporting CITB’s broader initiatives, including regional workforce development, diversity programs and industry research.