The Australian Government has announced a move to help address cost of living pressures for apprentices and trainees.

By expanding the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List (AAPL) to include 19 new occupations the Albanese government will provide additional financial support for apprentices and trainees in these newly designated priority occupations – and for their employers.

In response to the announcement The Apprenticeship Community’s Operations Manager ‑ AASN Colleen Sturmfels said, “I will always welcome any changes that will positively impact our apprentices and the employers that we work alongside. This one is particularly pleasing to see as it supports both an increase in the uptake of apprenticeships as well as providing further support to additional apprentices and employers during a time where we are seeing increased costs of living.”

The 19 new occupations being added to the 2024 Apprenticeships Priority List are:

• Ambulance Officer
• Animal Husbandry Technician
• Aquaculture or Fisheries Technician
• Architectural Draftperson
• Boat Builder and Repairer
• Earth Science Technician
• Fire Protection Plumber
• Flight Attendant
• Furniture Maker
• Graphic Pre-press Trades Worker
• Irrigation Designer
• Irrigation Technician
• Light Technician
• Mine Deputy
• Nursing Support Worker
• Out of School Hours Care Worker
• Pharmacy Technician
• Shipwright
• Sound Technician

Financial support for apprentices, trainees and employers on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List

Eligible apprentices, trainees and employers on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List will be provided with the following additional financial support through the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System (AAIS):

• Eligible full-time apprentices and trainees will receive up to $10,000 over the duration of their apprenticeship
• Eligible employers will receive support of up to $15,000 over the duration of the apprenticeship

The aim of these payments is to boost apprentice numbers, and to encourage apprentices and trainees to pursue work in areas of Australian skills shortage, complete their training, and go on to have successful long-term careers.

Announcing the news, Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor stated, “I want to ensure we are giving every Australian the best opportunity to gain the necessary skills to secure a stable, well-paid and rewarding job, while also developing the skilled workforce our economy needs in priority areas now and into the future.”

Occupations removed from the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List

These 10 occupations have also been removed from the 2024 Australian Apprenticeships Priority List:

• Blacksmith
• Gardener (General)
• Metal Polisher
• Precision Instrument Maker and Repairer
• Sports Turf Trades Worker
• Optical Dispenser / Dispensing Optician
• Youth Worker
• Dental Assistant
• Shearer
• Wool Classer