The primary focus of AAAP (formerly New Apprenticeships Access Programme - NAAP) is to provide opportunities for disadvantaged job seekers to gain sustainable employment and pursue a career through an Australian Apprenticeship. Programme participants receive the following assistance:
- Pre-vocational training that is nationally recognised;
- Intensive Job search assistance for a minimum of 13 weeks;
- Post placement support for a minimum of 13 weeks; and
- General support and personal development including, for example, guidance on presentation, grooming and other life skills, and career counselling.
To be eligible for assistance under AAAP, participants must meet at least one criterion from each of the following three categories:
Category 1 – Residency
A participant must be:
- an Australian citizen; or
- a permanent resident of Australia; or
- the holder of a permanent Australian visa; or
- the holder of a New Zealand passport who has been resident in Australia for at least 6 months prior to commencing the programme.
Category 2 - Registration
A participant must be registered with Centrelink or a Job Network Member as a job seeker with the exception of those who have been referred by a:
- Jobs Pathway Programme provider;
- Partnership Outreach Education Model provider;
- Jobs Placement Employment and Training provider;
- Disability Employment Assistance provider;
- Community Development Employment Project officer; or
- Indigenous Employment Centre officer.
Category 3 – Personal Circumstances
A participant must be at least one of the following:
- aged 15 years or older and assessed by Centrelink or a Job Network Member as eligible for Intensive Support or have successfully participated in the Work for the Dole Programme;
- a person under 25 years of age who left school prior to the completion of Year 12 and/or is referred by a Jobs Pathway Programme, Partnership Outreach Education Model or Jobs Placement Employment and Training provider;
- an ‘at risk’ Year 12 school leaver;
- an Indigenous Australian person;
- an Australian born South Sea Islander;
- a person who has been registered with Centrelink or the Job Network as unemployed for one year or more at the commencement of the programme;
- a self-disclosed ex-offender (excluding current inmates);
- a homeless person;
- a person with a disability or disabilities;
- a female seeking a Australian Apprenticeship in a non-traditional occupation;
- a sole parent receiving Parenting Payment at the single rate;
- a mature age worker aged 45 years and over at the commencement of the programme; or
- a person who has completed a DEST funded Language, Literacy and Numeracy training programme.
Job seekers may be referred to AAAP by:
- a AAAP Broker or Provider;
- Centrelink;
- a Job Network Member;
- a Jobs Pathway Programme provider;
- a Partnership Outreach Education Model provider;
- a Job, Placement, Employment and Training provider;
- a Disability Employment Assistance provider;
- Community Development Employment Project or Indigenous Employment Centre officers; or
- other organisations, such as community organisations.
AAAP is an ongoing programme. The Government has made an additional 5,000 places available each year under this programme commencing in 2005-06.
Job seekers can obtain more information from Centrelink Offices, Job Network Members or AAAP brokers.
They can also visit the website at https://accesstraining.dest.gov.au/ 
or call the toll free number on 13 38 73.