QLD Govt Announces Small Business Apprenticeship Pilot Program

The Queensland Government has today announced the details of the small business support program, which was an LNP election promise supported by MEA.

What is it?

Financial support paid to QLD small businesses employing a construction apprentice, to subsidise apprentice wages during block training. This is a pilot program and only open to the first 2000 applications.

Who can apply?

Registrations are open CLICK HERE but to be eligible, the business must

  * Be a QLD small business (19 or fewer employees) and an annual turnover less than $10M and

  * Have employed the apprentice after 1 July 2025 in one of the eligible apprenticeships; and

  * The apprentice must have commenced their apprenticeship on or after 1 July 2025 (so only new 1st year apprentices starting this financial year) and

  * The apprentice must have passed the 3 month probation period

  * Apprentices undertaking Cert III electrotechnology are eligible.

What does it cover?

  *  Apprentice wages – subsidising 50% of ‘typical wage’ for 1st & 2nd year and 25% ‘typical wage’ for 3rd and 4th year construction apprentices (including electrotechnology)

  * 4 payments can be claimed for 8 lots of training

  * The apprentice must remain active in the apprenticeship at the time of each subsidy payment and the business remain eligible to continue receiving wage subsidy payments.

  * The total subsidy for an apprentice under 21 years is $10,060 over 4 years.

When can you apply?

From today – but make sure you satisfy all the criteria! There won’t be too many businesses who could apply straight away, and the portal will stay open until 2000 applications are received.

More information is available here.