Reforms to support small business recovery in Bonner

The Morrison Government will undertake the most significant reforms to Australia’s insolvency framework in 30 years as part of our economic recovery plan to keep businesses in business and Australians in jobs.

The reforms, which draw on key features from Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States, will help more small businesses restructure and survive the economic impact of COVID-19.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the reforms would give more support to the region’s businesses that had been hit hard by the coronavirus.

“The Morrison Government is standing by small and family businesses and doing all we can to help make sure these businesses come out on the other side of this crisis,” Mr Vasta said.

“Along with early access to super, cash-flow boosts and JobKeeper, we are doing everything we can to keep family businesses up and running.”

As the economy continues to recover, it will be critical that distressed businesses have the necessary flexibility to either restructure or to wind down their operations in an orderly manner.

The reforms will assist incorporated businesses with less than $1 million in liabilities covering around 76 per cent of Australian businesses subject to insolvencies today, 98 per cent of which have less than 20 employees.

Together, these measures will reposition our insolvency system to reduce costs for small businesses, reduce the time they spend during the insolvency process, ensure greater economic dynamism, and ultimately help more local businesses get to the other side of the crisis.

Earlier this year the Morrison Government announced temporary regulatory measures to help financially distressed businesses get to the other side of COVID-19. On 7 September 2020 the Government announced a further extension of this relief to 31 December 2020.

The new processes will be available for small businesses from 1 January 2021.

Read More

Nominate a Bonner Local Legend

Nominations are now open to find Bonner’s Local Legends – the people in our community who have gone above and beyond during COVID-19 to help others.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the global coronavirus pandemic had brought out the best in people and he wanted to hear from the community with stories of selfless acts of kindness.

“We want to recognise our local legends,” Mr Vasta said.

“We’ve heard incredible stories of teachers going above and beyond during distance learning, frontline workers putting others first and businesses donating meals to those who had fallen on tough times.

“We’ve seen community kindness such as notes to the neighbours to see if they need help with groceries or instigating the teddy bear hunt to keep kids occupied.

“Even at our local shops we’ve seen assistants provide as much support as possible, whilst also dealing with stressful restrictions and challenging customers.

“I know there’s many more and that’s why I need your help to find them.”

Mr Vasta called on the Bonner community to come forward and share stories of someone’s selfless actions.

“Maybe you have been at the receiving end of a kind act and this could be a way to repay their good deed,” Mr Vasta said.

“If you know someone who has stepped up during COVID to help their family, friends, neighbours or even total strangers, head to my website and nominate them for the Bonner Local Legend.

“Teachers, doctors, nurses, retail staff, local charities and volunteers, this is a chance to say thank you and give them a big shout out.”

Nominations open September 16 and close Friday, October 16.

Visit www.rossvasta.com.au to nominate a Bonner Local Legend.

Read More

JobKeeper extension passes Parliament

Last night Parliament passed the Morrison Government’s extension of JobKeeper which is the largest economic lifeline in Australia’s history.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said more than 5200 businesses in his electorate were currently using JobKeeper.

“JobKeeper is maintaining links between employers and workers, keeping people in jobs and supporting Australian incomes during this pandemic,” Mr Vasta said.

“I have met with many business owners in Bonner who have told me without JobKeeper, they were done and since then, many of them have fortunately recovered to the point where they won’t need this extension.

“However, for those still suffering large downturns, extending JobKeeper is providing a critical lifeline until we get through this global pandemic.”

Without JobKeeper and our other economic support measures, Treasury estimates Australia’s unemployment rate would be 5 percentage points higher.

These measures have saved around 700,000 jobs.

JobKeeper was introduced in March, with a flat payment of $1,500 per fortnight for eligible employees for six months. This meant money could be distributed quickly using existing mechanisms.

For the next stage of JobKeeper – from September until March 2021 – there will be a two-tiered payment:

  • For the December quarter, payments will be $1,200 per fortnight per employee, or $750 for workers who were employed for less than 20 hours a week.
  • For the March quarter, payments will be $1,000 per fortnight per employee, or $650 for workers who were employed for less than 20 hours a week.

The Australian Government is also supporting jobs with a number of other measures, including:

  • Payments to more than 785,000 businesses to boost cash flow.
  • A 50% wage subsidy, supporting around 180,000 apprentices and trainees.
  • Up to 340,700 JobTrainer places for school leavers and job seekers to upskill.
  • The HomeBuilder program, supporting the residential construction industry.
  • JobSeeker and the Coronavirus Supplement.
  • $750 payments in April and July to millions of Australians, including pensioners.

Further details about these measures are available at treasury.gov.au

“As we work to help the economic recovery, the Government will have Australians’ backs,” Mr Vasta said.

Read More

$2 Billion skills package to deliver economic growth in Bonner

The Morrison Government will invest $2 billion to give hundreds of thousands of Australians access to new skills by retraining and upskilling them into sectors with job opportunities.

The new JobTrainer skills package will also guarantee support for tens of thousands of apprentices in jobs across Australia, including the Bonner electorate, by subsidising their wages to keep them employed and training secured.

The new $1 billion JobTrainer Fund will provide up to an additional 340,700 training places across Australia to help school leavers and job seekers access pre-apprenticeships, short courses and full qualifications to develop new skills in growth sectors and create a pathway to more qualifications.

Courses will be free or low cost in areas of identified need, with the Federal Government providing $500 million with contributions matched by State and Territory Governments.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the JobTrainer skills package was focused on getting people into jobs.

“JobTrainer will ensure more Australians have the chance to reskill or upskill to fill the jobs on the other side of this crisis,” the Prime Minister said.

“COVID-19 is unprecedented, but I want Australians to be ready for the sorts of jobs that will come as we build back and recover.”

The package also includes an additional $1.5 billion to expand the wage incentive to help keep apprentices in work, which builds on the initial $1.3 billion package announced in March.

In addition to small businesses already covered, the wage subsidy will now be available to medium businesses with less than 200 employees for apprentices employed as at 1 July 2020.

Around 180,000 apprentices and 90,000 small and medium businesses employing them will now be supported, with the program extended by six months to March 2021.

The initiative covers 50 per cent of the wages paid to apprentices and trainees, up to $7000 per quarter.

Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash said the JobTrainer skills package would form a vital part of the national recovery efforts.

“Our nation has faced many challenges, and it is critical we keep our apprentices in jobs and help those looking for work,” Minister Cash said.

“This package will be essential as the economy rebuilds so people looking for work can reskill and upskill for in-demand jobs, provide school leavers with a pathway into their careers, and ensure businesses are able to get the skilled workers they need.”

Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships Steve Irons said the expanded wage subsidy would more than double the number of supported apprentices and trainees.

“The Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy will now help almost 90,000 businesses employing around 180,000 apprentices and trainees throughout Australia,” Assistant Minister Irons said.

“This will dramatically improve the viability of tens of thousands of apprenticeships and the businesses employing them right across the country.”

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the Skills Package would provide a much-needed boost to jobseekers and school leavers in his electorate to ensure jobseekers were trained in the skills needed by our local businesses community.

“Backing training, apprentices, and jobs is all part of the Morrison Government’s plan to restore our economy after the coronavirus pandemic and keep Australians in our local area in work.,” Mr Vasta said.

States and territories need to sign up to a new Heads of Agreement to access JobTrainer funding, with the agreement setting out immediate reforms to improve the vocational education and training sector, and providing the foundation for long term improvements as outlined by the Prime Minister in his recent speech to the National Press Club.

Read More

Supporting Bonner’s small businesses to create jobs

The Morrison Government will help local small businesses as they move into the recovery phase of the coronavirus crisis by extending the Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme which supports small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) to get access to the funding they need to adapt and innovate during the coronavirus crisis.

Under the existing Scheme, the Government is providing an unprecedented level of support to SMEs in partnership with 44 approved lenders by guaranteeing 50 per cent of new unsecured loans to SMEs.

The Scheme has already seen more than 15,600 businesses accept loans worth $1.5 billion.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the next phase of the Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme would help small businesses in his electorate move out of hibernation, successfully adapt to the new COVID-safe economy and invest for the future.

“Extending the SME Guarantee Scheme is our Government’s way of supporting small businesses as they seek to rebuild, adapt and create local jobs on the other side of the coronavirus crisis,” Mr Vasta said.

Key changes to the Scheme include:

  • Extending the purpose of loans able to be provided beyond working capital, such that a wider range of investment can be funded;
  • Permitting secured lending (excluding commercial or residential property);
  • Increasing the maximum loan size to $1 million (from $250,000) per borrower;
  • Increasing the maximum loan term to five years (from three years); and
  • Allowing lenders the discretion to offer a repayment holiday period.

The extended terms of the Scheme will enable lenders to continue supporting Australian small businesses when they need it most.

The expanded Scheme will shift from providing access to working capital to helping businesses stay afloat during the crisis to now also enabling them to access more affordable and longer-term credit so that they can invest for their future.

The initial phase of the Scheme remains available for new loans issued by eligible lenders until 30 September 2020.

The second phase of the Scheme will start on 1 October 2020 and will be available until 30 June 2021.

For more information visit www.business.gov.au

Read More

HomeBuilder program to boost construction industry

The Morrison Government is supporting jobs in the residential construction sector with the introduction of the new HomeBuilder program.

From today until December 31 2020, HomeBuilder will provide all eligible owner-occupiers (not just first home buyers) with a grant of $25,000 to build a new home or substantially renovate an existing home.

Construction must be contracted to commence within three months of the contract date.HomeBuilder applicants will be subject to eligibility criteria, including income caps of $125,000 for singles and $200,000 for couples based on their latest assessable income.

A national dwelling price cap of $750,000 will apply for new home builds, and a renovation price range of $150,000 up to $750,000 will apply to renovating an existing home with a current value of no more than $1.5 million.

The program is expected to provide around 27,000 grants at a total cost of around $680 million.

This increase in residential construction will help to fill the gap in construction activity expected in the second half of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the HomeBuilder program would help support 140,000 direct jobs.

“This will also support another one million related jobs in the residential construction sector, including businesses and sole-trader builders, contractors, property developers, construction materials manufacturers, engineers, designers and architects,” Mr Vasta said.

HomeBuilder complements existing state and territory First Home Owner Grant programs, stamp duty concessions and other grant schemes, as well as the Commonwealth’s First Home Loan Deposit Scheme and First Home Super Saver Scheme.

This year, the Government delivered the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme to help eligible first home buyers to purchase their first home with a deposit of as little as five per cent, allowing them to get into the market sooner.

HomeBuilder will create even more opportunities for first home buyers to enter the property market, as well as support other eligible Australians to build a new home or renovate an existing home.

The HomeBuilder program will be implemented via a National Partnership Agreement, signed by the Commonwealth and state and territory governments.

More information on HomeBuilder, including eligibility, can be found on the Treasury Coronavirus Economic Response website https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/homebuilder

Read More

Return to Sport Toolkit launched

Sports Australia has developed a Return to Sport Toolkit to provide community sporting clubs and associations with a clear path to competition as COVID-19 restrictions ease.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the suite of practical resources, provided by Sport Australia, focused on giving grassroots organisations a road map for the safe return to sport at all levels.

“The Toolkit encourages clubs and associations at every level to document their own COVID-19 Safety Plan and appoint a COVID Safety Co-ordinator to implement and oversee it,” Mr Vasta said.

“As part of the toolkit, checklists provide practical and progressive steps such as relevant government and national sporting organisation approvals, facility management, training behaviours, hygiene protocols and appropriate communication with members.”

Minister for Youth and Sport Richard Colbeck said the Return to Sport Toolkit was a comprehensive checklist that complemented the National Principles for the Resumption of Sport and Recreation Activities, endorsed by the National Cabinet on May 1.

“Sporting clubs and organisations across Australia will play an enormous part in getting the nation back on track as we recover from the impact of COVID-19,” Minister Colbeck said.

“The Sport Australia toolkit provides the resources and guidance local clubs need to ensure a streamlined process, with the safe return of competition relying on a responsible rollout where everybody follows advice and takes precautions.”

The National Principles along with the Australian Institute of Sport’s framework will be used to guide the staged return of activity as efforts to stop the spread of the virus continue.

The States and Territories will be responsible for sport and recreation resumption decisions, both at the professional and community level and will determine progression through the phases, taking account of local epidemiology, risk mitigation strategies and public health capability.

Sport Australia’s Return to Sport Toolkit can be found here.

The AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Environment can be found here.

Read More

COVIDsafe App launch

The new COVIDsafe app to help keep you, your family and your community safe from further spread of coronavirus through early notification of possible exposure is now available to download.

The COVIDSafe app is just one of the tools used to help protect the health of the community by quickly alerting people who may be at risk of having contact with the virus.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the use of the app would help to move more quickly to reduce restrictions than would otherwise be possible.

“Without the assistance of technology, finding people who may have been exposed to the virus relies on people being able to recall who they have been around and knowing the details of every individual they have been in close contact with,” Mr Vasta said.

“In many cases, we don’t know the names and contact details of those we’ve been in close contact with – for example, at the supermarket or on the train.

“The COVIDSafe app uses technology to make this process faster and more accurate and has been developed to ensure your information and privacy is strictly protected.”

Collection and use of information from the app is consent based and consistent with the Privacy Act and Australian Privacy Principles.

To further strengthen the app’s privacy arrangements the Health Minister made a Determination under the Biosecurity Act to protect people’s privacy and restrict access to app data to state and territory health authorities for contact tracing.

Under that Determination, it will be a criminal offence to use any app data in any other way. It will also be a criminal offence for someone to be refused to enter a premises, participate in an event or receive a service for failing to use the app.

At the end of the Australian pandemic, users will be prompted to delete the app from their phone.

This will delete all app information on a person’s phone. The information contained on the highly secure information storage system will also be destroyed at the end of the pandemic.

While COVIDSafe app use is voluntary, all Australians are encouraged to download COVIDSafe app to help ensure we can effectively protect Australians and ensure we can quickly respond to any new cases of COVID-19.

For more information on the COVIDSafe app, please visit: https://www.covidsafe.gov.au/help-topics.html

To download the COVIDSafe app for your iPhone please visit: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/covidsafe/id1509242894

To download the COVIDSafe app for your android device please visit: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.gov.health.covidsafe

Read More

Second Economic Stimulus Package

The Morrison Government has released the second stage of its economic plan to cushion the economic impact of the coronavirus and help build a bridge to recovery.

A total of $189 billion is being injected into the economy by all arms of Government in order to keep Australians in work and businesses in business, including in the electorate of Bonner.

This includes $17.6 billion for the Government’s first economic stimulus package, $90 billion from the RBA and $15 billion from the Government to deliver easier access to finance, and $66.1 billion in today’s economic support package.

Our economic support package includes:

  • Support for households including casuals, sole-traders, retirees and those on income support
  • Assistance for businesses to keep people in a job
  • Regulatory protection and financial support for businesses to stay in business

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government was acting to cushion the blow from the coronavirus for businesses and households to help them get through to the other side of the crisis.

“We want to help businesses keep going as best they can and for as long as they can, or to pause instead of winding up their business. We want to ensure that when this crisis has passed Australian businesses can bounce back,” the Prime Minister said.

“Our focus is on cushioning the blow and providing hope to every Australian that we will get through this and come out the other side together.

“We know this will be temporary.  That’s why all our actions are geared towards building a bridge, keeping more people in work, enhancing the safety net for those that aren’t and keeping businesses alive so they can get to the other side and stand up their workforce as quickly as possible.

“We know Australia’s more than 3 million small and medium businesses are the engine room of our economy. When they hurt, we all hurt.

“The next few months are going to be a difficult journey but we all have a role to play to adapt to the changes we’re facing, to cushion the impact of what is happening and to pull together so we can bounce back when we get to the other side.”

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the $189 billion economic support package was the equivalent of 9.7 per cent of GDP.

“The Government is taking unprecedented action to strengthen the safety net available to Australians that are stood down or lose their jobs and increasing support for small businesses that do it tough over the next six months.

“These measures build significantly on what we have already announced.

“These extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures.”

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the action would directly benefit the local community by supporting residents, workers and small and medium businesses to bounce back.

“We need to show kindness, compassion and patience at this difficult time and I encourage everyone to make an effort to remain calm and look out for the vulnerable people in the community,” Mr Vasta said.

“We are working to support everyone impacted by the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19 and if you can manage it, please think of the small businesses in your local community, shop locally and support local jobs.”

 

Support for workers and households

Coronavirus supplement

The Government is temporarily expanding eligibility to income support payments and establishing a new, time-limited Coronavirus supplement to be paid at a rate of $550 per fortnight.  This will be paid to both existing and new recipients of the JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance jobseeker, Parenting Payment, Farm Household Allowance and Special Benefit.

The Coronavirus supplement will be paid for the next 6 months. Eligible income support recipients will receive the full amount of the $550 Coronavirus supplement on top of their payment each fortnight.

This measure is estimated to cost $14.1 billion over the forward estimates period.

An increase of up to 5,000 staff for Services Australia will assist to support delivery of new Government measures.

Payments to support households

In addition to the $750 stimulus payment announced on 12 March 2020, the Government will provide a further $750 payment to social security and veteran income support recipients and eligible concession card holders, except for those who are receiving an income support payment that is eligible to receive the Coronavirus supplement.

This second payment will be made automatically from 13 July 2020 to around 5 million social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders. Around half of those that benefit are pensioners.

The first payment will be made from 31 March 2020 to people who will have been on one of the eligible payments any time between 12 March 2020 and 13 April 2020.

This measure is estimated to cost $4 billion over the forward estimates period.

Early release of superannuation

The Government will allow individuals in financial stress as a result of the Coronavirus to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation in 2019-20 and a further $10,000 in 2020-21.

Eligible individuals will be able to apply online through myGov for access of up to $10,000 of their superannuation before 1 July 2020. They will also be able to access up to a further $10,000 from 1 July 2020 for another three months. They will not need to pay tax on amounts released and the money they withdraw will not affect Centrelink or Veterans’ Affairs payments.

This measure is estimated to cost $1.2 billion over the forward estimates period.

Temporarily reduce superannuation minimum drawdown rates

The Government is temporarily reducing superannuation minimum drawdown requirements for account based pensions and similar products by 50 per cent for 2019-20 and 2020-21. This measure will benefit retirees by providing them with more flexibility as to how they manage their superannuation assets.

Reducing social security deeming rates

On top of the deeming rate changes made at the time of the first package, the Government is reducing the deeming rates by a further 0.25 percentage points to reflect the latest rate reductions by the RBA.

As of 1 May 2020, the lower deeming rate will be 0.25 per cent and the upper deeming rate will be 2.25 per cent.

The change will benefit around 900,000 income support recipients, including Age Pensioners.

This measure is estimated to cost $876 million over the forward estimates period.

 

Assistance to business to keep people in a job

Boosting Cash Flow for Employers

The Government is providing up to $100,000 to eligible small and medium sized businesses, and not‑for-profits (including charities) that employ people, with a minimum payment of $20,000.  These payments will help businesses’ and not-for-profits’ cash flow so they can keep operating, pay their rent, electricity and other bills and retain staff.

Under the enhanced scheme from the first package, employers will receive a payment equal to 100 per cent of their salary and wages withheld (up from 50 per cent), with the maximum payment being increased from $25,000 to $50,000. In addition, the minimum payment is being increased from $2,000 to $10,000. The payment will be available from 28 April 2020.

By linking the payments to business to staff wage tax withholdings, businesses will be incentivised to hold on to more of their workers.

The payments are tax free, there will be no new forms and payments will flow automatically through the ATO.

This measure will benefit around 690,000 businesses employing around 7.8 million people, and around 30,000 NFPs (including charities).

Small and medium business entities with aggregated annual turnover under $50 million and that employ workers are eligible. NFPs entities, including charities, with aggregated annual turnover under $50 million and that employ workers will now also be eligible. This will support employment at a time where NFPs are facing increasing demand for services.

An additional payment is also being made from 28 July 2020. Eligible entities will receive an additional payment equal to the total of all of the Boosting Cash Flow for Employers payments received.

This measure is estimated to cost $31.9 billion over the forward estimates period, including the value of the measure announced in the first package.

 

Regulatory protection and financial support for businesses to stay in business

Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme

The Government will establish the Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme which will support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to get access to working capital to help them get them through the impact of the coronavirus.

Under the Scheme, the Government will guarantee 50 per cent of new loans issued by eligible lenders to SMEs.

The Government’s support will enhance lenders’ willingness and ability to provide credit to SMEs with the Scheme able to support $40 billion of lending to SMEs.

The Scheme will complement the announcement the Government has made to cut red-tape to allow SMEs to get access to credit faster. It also complements announcements made by Australian banks to support small businesses with their existing loans.

This builds on the investment the Government is making to enable smaller lenders to continue supporting Australian consumers and small businesses, through providing the AOFM an investment capacity of $15 billion to invest in wholesale funding markets used by small authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADI) and non-ADI lenders.

It further supports the Reserve Bank of Australia’s announcement of a $90 billion term funding facility for ns ADIs, that will reduce the cost of lending, with particular incentives to lend to small and medium enterprises.

The measures the Government is announcing today, along with the previous announcements, will deliver a total of $125 billion to support Australians get through the impact of the coronavirus.

The Government will guarantee up to $20 billion to support $40 billion in SME loans.

Providing temporary relief for financially distressed businesses

The Government is temporarily increasing the threshold at which creditors can issue a statutory demand on a company and the time companies have to respond to statutory demands they receive. The package also includes temporary relief for directors from any personal liability for trading while insolvent.  The Corporations Act 2001 will be amended to provide temporary and targeted relief for companies to deal with unforeseen events that arise as a result of the Coronavirus.

  • This builds on the support for business and business investment provided in our first economic support package, which included:
  • increasing the instant asset write off
  • backing business investment by providing accelerated depreciation deductions
  • supporting apprentices and trainees
  • targeted support for Coronavirus-affected regions and communities

Support for the aviation industry

As previously announced, the Government is also providing up to $715 million in support for Australian airlines and airports, which will ensure that our aviation sector receives timely cash flow support through an unprecedented period of disruption to international and domestic air travel.

While these are challenging times, Australians can rest assured that the Commonwealth Government will do all that is necessary to support them and build a bridge to ensure that all Australians can get to the other side of this crisis.

Read More

Support Package to keep apprentices and trainees on the job

The Morrison Government is backing apprentices and trainees as part of the government’s economic response to the Coronavirus.

The $1.3 billion measure will ensure up to 70,000 small businesses can keep around 117,000 apprentices and trainees across the country in work and training.

The investment is part of the broader $17.6 billion package, designed to keep Australians in jobs and businesses in business.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the Morrison Government had acted quickly to support small businesses in Bonner to retain their apprentices and trainees as part of the government’s Economic Response to the Coronavirus.

“This assistance will support our local businesses in Bonner to manage cash-flow challenges and help small businesses retain their apprentices and trainees,” Mr Vasta said.

Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said apprentices and trainees were critical to meeting the skills needs of Australian employers.

“We want them to keep learning, keep getting those essential skills that our economy needs to keep business turning over, not just now, but well into the future,” Minister Cash said.

A 50 per cent wage subsidy of up to $21,000 will be available to small businesses which employ fewer than 20 full time employees, including those using a Group Training Organisation, to retain their apprentice or trainee.

The subsidy will also be available to businesses of any size and Group Training Organisations that re-engage an eligible apprentice or trainee who would otherwise lose their job.

Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships, the Hon Steve Irons MP said along with our $585 million Delivering Skills for Today and Tomorrow package, this measure would ensure the Morrison Government continued the heavy lifting of building the skilled workforce our economy needs.

“We know industry needs more workers with technical, trade and practical skills,” Assistant Minister Irons said.

“We are backing Australians through incentives, funding and reform to ensure that the sector can deliver the skilled and responsive workforce to meet these needs.”

The new measure is in addition to existing apprenticeships incentives under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program.

Businesses can register to be assessed for eligibility from April 2, 2020. To be eligible for the wage subsidy the apprentice or trainee must have been in-training with a small business as at March 1, 2020.

Further information on how to apply for the subsidy, including information on eligibility is available at:

Read More