The NSW Government has handed down its 2025-26 Budget, with a number of announcements relevant to apprenticeships, energy, and small business.
Key budgetary announcements impacting small electrical contractors include:
Apprentices
- $40.2m to continue fee-free apprenticeships and traineeships for priority qualifications.
- 44,995 fee-free training places for apprenticeships and traineeships.
- Subsidised vocational education and training through Smart and Skilled, including concessions for welfare recipients and people with a disability.
- Travel and accommodation allowance for apprentices or trainees travelling over 120 km round-trip for block release training.
- $100 vehicle registration rebate for first and second-year apprentices.
Industry
- $145m support the ongoing work of the Building Commission NSW to reform the building and construction industry and give homeowners confidence in the quality of new construction.
Consumer Energy Resources
- Double the current incentive from 1 July 2025 through the Virtual Power Plant scheme.
Small Business
- Toll Relief – $60 Weekly Toll Cap enabling eligible private motorists who spend between $60 and $400 on tolls a week to claim a rebate of up to $340 a week, each quarter through to 31 December 2025
You can read more detail about the 2025-26 NSW Budget here.
