The Australian Government has announced changes to the employer incentives for priority apprenticeships. The changes will reshape how financial support is distributed across different occupations, with impacts on many of the industries we support.
Industries within the identified Key Apprenticeship Priorities (KAP) will receive additional support, while those not within the identified KAPs may receive reduced levels of support. The government is extending its $5,000 financial incentive for employers who engage apprentices in the KAP sectors of housing and clean energy. KAP apprentices themselves will continue to receive $10,000.
From 1 January, apprenticeships outside KAP but on the Priority List occupations will receive $2,500 for the apprentice and $2,500 for the employer.
These changes follow consultation by the Government on the proposed Revised Methodology for the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List. Skills Insight’s submission raised concerns that agribusiness industries could be disadvantaged despite being critical to food security, biosecurity, regional economies and aspects of the net‑zero transition.
Skills Insight is seeking further information about these changes. We are also working with industry representatives, unions and other partners to gather insights and relay evidence of the impact of these decisions.
Please contact us with any queries and information around how these changes will impact your industry.
For advice about eligibility of the Key Apprenticeship Program, you can contact your local Apprentice Connect Australia Provider (ACAP). A full list of ACAPs is available at Apprentice Connect Australia Provider | Australian Apprenticeships.
Relevant KAP-linked occupations
- Agricultural and Agritech Technician
- Cabinet Maker
- Carpenter
- Carpenter and Joiner
- Floor Finisher
- Glazier
- Irrigation Designer
- Landscape Gardener
- Technicians and Trades Workers nec
- Wood Machinist
All other industries we support
For the remainder of industries we support, apprenticeship incentives will fall into two groups:
- Priority but non-KAP occupations
- Many occupations across agribusiness, food and fibre, animal care, aquaculture, forestry, meat, racing and related sectors are on the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List but are not classified as clean energy or housing construction and therefore not KAP eligible.
- For these roles, incentives from 1 Jan–31 Dec 2026 reduce to $2,500 for employers + $2,500 for apprentices.
- Non-priority occupations
- Apprenticeships/traineeships in non-priority occupations remain ineligible for Commonwealth incentives, as under current settings.
How KAP occupations are identified by DEWR
The Priority List includes flags for:
- NEA – New Energy Apprenticeship stream
- HCA – Housing Construction Apprenticeship stream
- E – Eligible stream indicator
Occupations that have HCA and/or NEA marked with “E” are in scope for the Key Apprenticeship Program, provided other conditions are met.