New JobTrainer Package Explained

Lowe Lippmann Chartered Accountants

New JobTrainer Package Explained


The Government has announced yesterday the latest $2.5bn stimulus package, the JobTrainer package , with the intention of helping employers re-train, upskill and open new job opportunities.

 

The JobTrainer package has funds allocated for two distinct parts:

  • $1.5 billion - aimed at keeping those already in apprenticeships and traineeships employed; and
  • $500 million - aimed at school leavers and those looking for work, providing for vocational education and training courses. This part is conditional on funds being matched by state and territory governments.

 


What types of employment positions are covered?


The JobTrainer package will have a focus on training or re-skilling those looking for a job amid the coronavirus pandemic in areas of high demand, with "targeted areas" to be worked out by the newly-formed National Skills Commission ( NSC ) in consultation with the states.

 

The areas likely to be targeted will include sectors such as healthcare and social assistance, transport, postal and warehousing, manufacturing, retail trade and wholesale trade as industries which are in need of future job growth.

 

The exact qualifications or course content has yet to be defined and we expect that details will be released by the NSC shortly.


 


JobTrainer package for Employers

The largest part of the JobTrainer package is the expansion of the 50% apprentice wage subsidy to businesses with less than 200 employees (which previously only applied to businesses with less than 20 employees), and extends the subsidy until 31 March 2021 (from 30 September 2020).

Employers will be reimbursed 50% of an eligible apprentice's wage up to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter per apprentice.  We note that employers will be able to access this wage subsidy after an assessment by the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN).


What are the eligibility requirements?


Small business

Medium Business

  • Employ less than 20 people, or
  • A small business with less than 20 people, using a Group Training Organisation, and
  • The apprentice or trainee was undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship with the business on 1 July 2020 for claims after this date ( Claims prior to 1 July 2020, will continue to be based on the 1 March 2020 eligibility date)

 

  • Employ less than 200 people, or
  • A medium sized business with less than 200 people, using a Group Training Organisation, and
  • The apprentice or trainee was undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship with the business on 1 July 2020

 

  • Claims available: now
  • Claims available: from 1 October 2020  

 


How do I make a claim for JobTrainer?

  • If you are an employer of less than 20 employees (ie. 19 employees or less), have already been identified as eligible and have previously submitted a claim for the current wage subsidy, you simply continue with this claims process.
  • If you are an employer of less than 200 employees (199 employees or less) and have employed an apprentice or trainee from 1 July 2020, you may now qualify for the JobTrainer wage subsidy. You will be able to lodge a claim after 1 October 2020 and more information will be released closer to that date regarding the claim process.

We currently understand that as part of the claim process, every business will need to provide evidence of wages paid to your apprentice(s).  Final claims for payment must be lodged by 30 June 2021.  

Where a business is unable to retain an apprentice, another business can access the incentive if they take that apprentice on and pay their wages going forward.


What are the differences between JobTrainer and JobKeeper?

 

 

JobTrainer

JobKeeper

Employer eligibility

  • Not required to demonstrate a "decline in turnover", but must have less than 200 employees or be re-engaging an apprentice or trainee displaced from an eligible small or medium sized business

 

  • Must meet a " decline in turnover" test (ie. 15%/30%/50%) and be an "eligible employer" entity

Employee eligibility

  • Must be an apprentice or trainee employed on July 1 2020
  • On March 1 2020, were a full time, part time or fixed term employee, or a long-term (over 12 months) casual employee

 

Wage subsidy

  • 50% wage subsidy, up to $7,000 a quarter ($28,000 per year)

 

  • $1,500per eligible employee per fortnight, $9,750 a quarter ($39,000 per year)

Does the JobTrainer subsidy and JobKeeper payment work together?

No, each stimulus package works independently. 

An employer will not be eligible to claim the apprentice wage subsidy under the JobTrainer package for any period where they choose to claim the JobKeeper payment for the same apprentice.

 

 



Please do not hesitate to contact your Lowe Lippmann Relationship Partner if you wish to discuss any of these matters further.

August 26, 2025
How do we account for the costs incurred when acquiring an asset? When we acquire an asset such as property, plant and equipment, intangibles or inventory there are often significant other costs incurred as part of the purchase process, including delivery, stamp duty, installation fees. Whether we capitalise these to the value of the asset or expense them as incurred can make a significant difference to an entity’s reported position or performance. Since we have accounting standards for specific assets, the treatment can vary depending on the asset and the relevant standard. A summary of some common expenses and their treatment under four accounting standards has been included below. The four standards considered are: AASB 102 Inventories AASB 116 Property, Plant and Equipment AASB 138 Intangible Assets AASB 140 Investment Property.
August 12, 2025
What are contract assets and contract liabilities that arise under the revenue accounting standards? Deferred revenue, accrued revenue, revenue received in advance, contract assets, contract costs asset, contract liabilities and receivables are all line items we see in the balance sheet in relation to revenue. It can be confusing to understand what these terms mean and whether different words are being used for the same thing.  We have provided a guidance to these and similar terms to enable you to use them confidently and understand their meaning in a balance sheet.
August 6, 2025
Paid parental leave changes have now commenced As from 1 July 2025, the amount of Paid Parental Leave available to families increased to 24 weeks, and the amount of Paid Parental Leave that parents can take off at the same time has also increased from two weeks to four weeks. Superannuation will now also be paid on Government Paid Parental Leave from 1 July 2025, at the new super guarantee rate of 12%, paid as a contribution to their nominated superannuation fund. Parents will also benefit from an increase in the weekly payment rate of Paid Parental Leave, increasing from $915.80 to $948.10 (in line with the increase to the National Minimum wage). This means a total increase of $775.20 over the 24-week entitlement.
More Posts