From July 1, 2025, the Australian Government is providing extra support for apprentices and their employers to help with cost-of-living pressures and to strengthen Australia’s skilled workforce.
The Key Apprenticeship Program offers up to $10,000 in financial support to apprentices commencing or recommencing their careers in the clean energy or housing construction sectors.
The program is designed to build a pipeline of skilled workers in priority industries by supporting apprentices to develop the expertise needed for jobs of the future. This initiative will grow Australia’s clean energy and housing construction workforce supporting national infrastructure goals now and into the future.
The KAP contains two streams:
- New Energy Apprenticeship (NEA) stream; and
- Housing Construction Apprenticeship (HCA) stream.
Note: To be eligible for the Key Apprenticeship Program, you must have commenced or recommenced on or after 1 July 2025.
For more information – Key Apprenticeship Program | Australian Apprenticeships
The Living Away From Home Allowance provides assistance to Australian Apprentices who are required to move away from their parent’s or guardian’s residence to take up or remain in their Australian Apprenticeship Journey.
The Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA) has increased to help apprentices who need to move for work:
- 1st Year: rising from $77.17 to $120.00 per week
- 2nd Year: rising from $38.59 to $90.00 per week
- 3rd Year: rising from $25.00 to $45.00 per week
For more information – Additional Support for Apprentices and Employers from 1 July 2025 | Australian Apprenticeships
The Construction Training Fund (CTF) has a range of apprentice support programs available to help those working in the construction industry. If you are an apprentice or trainee working in the Construction industry and want to know more about these payments, please contact CTF.
Apprentice Support Bonus
New and existing WA construction industry apprentices can receive an annual payment of $1,000 for continuing their training. Eligible claims can be lodged from January 2025.
For more information – Apprentice Support Bonus | Apprentice Bonus Payment | CTF
Apprentice Tool Allowance
Eligible apprentices can receive up to $1,000 reimbursement for the purchase of work-related tools and/or safety equipment at the commencement and another $1,000 reimbursement at the completion of their apprenticeship or traineeship.
For more information – Apprentice Tool Allowance | Tool Rebate WA | CTF
Apprentice Travel and Accommodation Allowance
Apprentices completing qualifications can claim the CTF Travel and Accommodation Allowance rebate in addition to the DTWD Travel and Accommodation Allowance to assist with the cost of travel and accommodation when travelling to a training provider.
For more information – Accommodation and Travel Allowance | CTF WA
The Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans (AASL) is available to all apprentices and trainees in occupations on the Priority List. It provides income contingent loans of up to $25,983 in 2025-26 to help recipients meet day to day costs while undertaking their studies.
The measure enables backdating of payments to provide immediate support to recipients. Australian Apprentices do not have to repay the loan until they are earning an income above the minimum repayment threshold ($54,435 for 2024-25 and $56,156 for 2025-26).
- Australian Apprentices who complete their apprenticeship will receive a 20% discount on the loan amount. In order to maintain the real value of the loan, the loan amount will be indexed according to the Consumer Price Index annually.
- On 3 November 2024, the Australian Government announced changes to income contingent student loans, including Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans. Anyone with a student loan, including a AASL debt will have their debt reduced by a further 20% before 1 June 2025, when indexation is applied. The ATO will apply these changes.
Remember, these changes are subject to the passage of legislation.
For more information visit
Financial support for apprentices | Australian Apprenticeships
Accessing ADMS
ADMS is a secure platform for employers and apprentices to oversee apprenticeships, apply for payments, and track claim progress.
How do you connect?
Before you use ADMS, you need to connect your account to your myGov account or myID Digital Identity
After that you can:
- Navigate to ADMS
- Click ‘Apprentice login’
- Sign in using your myGov account or myID Digital Identity.
To sign in with myGov, your account must be linked to either Centrelink, ATO or Medicare. Head to the myGov Account to learn more about signing up for and linking your myID account.
To use your Digital Identity, you need to have a myGov account and a Standard Identity Strength. The myID website has more information about creating your Digital Identity.
Confirm your identity in ADMS
- Provide your Apprentice ID (your Apprentice Connect Provider can give you this), or your Unique Student Identifier.
- Enter your date of birth.
- Enter the authentication code sent to your phone or email.
For helpful video resources and guides, visit – How to access ADMS for apprentices | Apprenticeship Support Australia
Mentoring and Personal Support Services
Our Mentoring and Personal Support Services (MPSS) team helps you navigate your apprenticeship. Whether you need advice on workplace challenges, career planning, or personal matters, our mentors are here for you.
What is a mentor, and why do you need one?
A mentor guides you through your apprenticeship, they give practical advice to help you with:
- Navigating workplace expectations and responsibilities.
- Managing stress, mental health, and wellbeing.
- Strengthening communication and workplace relationships.
- Staying motivated and on track with your training.
Our confidential hotline is available anytime between 8.30 am – 5.00 pm (AWST) on 1300 363 831, just press option #3 to speak to a mentor today.
Mentoring and Personal Support Services – Apprenticeship Support Australia – WA
Have your details changed?
Get in touch with ASA today to update your personal details.
Did you know Australian Apprentice Incentive payments are taxable income?
The Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment (AATSP), New Energy Apprentice Support Payment (NEASP) and the Key Apprenticeship Program (KAP) incentive are treated as taxable income, so these payments need to be included in your tax return.
Depending on when you go to lodge your tax return, these payments may already be included in the pre-fill information. It is important that you ensure that this pre-fill information is complete and correct before you submit your tax return.
If the payments are not included in your pre-fill information and you have received apprentice payments in that financial year, make sure to include them before submitting your tax return.
What payments are tax-exempt?
Only the Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA) paid to Australian Apprentices is tax-exempt so this payment does not need to be included in your tax return.
What about the Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan (AASL)?
The Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan is repaid through the tax system. You will not have to repay your loan until you are earning an income above the minimum repayment threshold ($54,435 for 2024-25).
But, if you haven’t already told your employer you’re accessing the support loan, please do so immediately so they can update your tax file declaration.
Can I claim any Deductions?
You may be able to claim deductions for certain expenses you made for work purposes during the year. These may include purchasing protective equipment or work uniform, tools and vehicle and travel expenses. For assistance on what is an acceptable deduction and what evidence you’ll need to keep, please see more info on the ATO website (Deductions you can claim | Australian Taxation Office) or speak with your financial advisor.
