Skills Needs Apprenticeships

The federal government has identified 65 traditional trades experiencing a national skills shortages.

The great news is that employers who sign up an Australian Apprentice (or trainee) in any of these occupations could be eligible for incentives of up $9,000*.

Here's what you could be paid:

Standard commencement payment

Standard completion payment

Rural and regional skills shortage bonus*

Adult Apprentice payment (aged 25 & over)

$1,500

$2,500

$1,000

$4,000
TOTAL INCENTIVES:  $9,000*

*Based on eligible postcode locations.

Is your occupation on the national skills needs list?

Take a look below, it might surprise you.

  • Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber
  • Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
  • Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics)
  • Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)
  • Arborist
  • Automotive Electrician
  • Baker
  • Boat Builder and Repairer
  • Bricklayer
  • Butcher or Smallgoods Maker
  • Cabinetmaker
  • Carpenter
  • Carpenter and Joiner
  • Cook
  • Diesel Motor Mechanic
  • Drainer
  • Electrical Linesworker
  • Electrician (General)
  • Electrician (special class)
  • Electronic Equipment Trades Worker
  • Fibrous Plasterer
  • Fitter (General)
  • Fitter and Turner
  • Fitter-Welder
  • Floor Finisher
  • Furniture Finisher
  • Gasfitter
  • Glazier
  • Hairdresser
  • Joiner
  • Landscape Gardener
  • Lift Mechanic
  • Locksmith
  • Metal Fabricator
  • Metal Machinist (First class)
  • Motor Mechanics (General)
  • Motorcycle Mechanic
  • Optical Mechanic
  • Painting Trades Worker
  • Panelbeater
  • Pastrycook
  • Picture Framer
  • Plumber (General)
  • Pressure Welder
  • Print Finisher
  • Printing Machinist
  • Roof Plumber
  • Roof Tiler
  • Screen Printer
  • Shearer
  • Sheetmetal Trades Worker
  • Signwriter
  • Small Engine Mechanic
  • Solid Plasterer
  • Stonemason
  • Telecommunications Linesworker
  • Telecommunications Technician
  • Toolmaker
  • Upholsterer
  • Vehicle Body Builder
  • Vehicle Painter
  • Vehicle Trimmer
  • Wall and Floor Tiler
  • Welder (First class)
  • Wood Machinist

If you can see your occupation on the National Skills Needs List, you may be eligible for incentives.

To find out more, contact your local VERTO office on 1300 4 VERTO or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If your business doesn't fit into the categories above, but you're interested in employing an Australian Apprentice, don't worry you may still be eligible for a range of other financial incentives. Free advice and information is just a phone call or mouse click away.

* Eligibility criteria applies for incentives. National Skills needs occupations as at October 2014.