Pay boost to assist apprentices
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Apprentices in construction trades are set to receive $10,000 in federal government support.
The initiative, part of Labor's election-year strategy, aims to address labour shortages in the building industry and tackle cost-of-living pressures.
The bonus will be distributed in five $2,000 instalments, supplementing wages for eligible apprentices, including bricklayers, electricians, carpenters, and plumbers.
Announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the National Press Club in Canberra, the scheme forms part of the new Key Apprenticeship Program and supports Labor’s Homes for Australia Plan, which seeks to deliver 1.2 million new homes within five years.
Albanese highlighted the financial difficulties many apprentices face, pointing out that first-year carpentry apprentices earn about two-thirds of the minimum wage.
“That’s before you buy things like tools, safety gear, clothing and boots,” he said.
“Many apprentices have said they could earn more stacking shelves at the supermarket.”
A recent review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System identified cost-of-living pressures as a key factor discouraging people from entering trades.
It recommended targeted financial assistance to improve retention in critical sectors like construction.
The announcement comes as Labor fights to close a polling gap with the Coalition. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton criticised the government, blaming Labor for a decline in apprenticeship numbers and linking it to Australia’s housing shortage.
The $10,000 bonus is part of broader government efforts to strengthen the apprenticeship system.
From 1 July 2025, the Living Away From Home Allowance and employer support for hiring apprentices with disabilities will also increase.
The government says these measures complement initiatives such as Free TAFE and reduced HECS fees, designed to address Australia’s skills shortage and housing needs.
