The Scholarship consists of two $500 tax exempt payments and will be available to all Certificate III
and IV New Apprentices undertaking skill shortage trade New Apprenticeships in a small to medium business.
This initiative is part of a package of measures to alleviate skills needs in trade occupations. The Government is introducing the Scholarship to encourage young people to take up and remain in skill shortage trade New Apprenticeships.
The Scholarship will be administered by the national network of New Apprenticeships Centres. The Centres are contracted by the Australian Government to administer the New Apprenticeships Incentives Programme. New Apprentices will be able to claim their Scholarship payments from their New Apprenticeships Centre.
New Apprentices who commence a skills shortage trade qualification on or after 1 July 2004 will be eligible to claim a $500 Scholarship payment at the end of each of the first and second years of their New Apprenticeship.