employment which does not guarantee the employee a regular wage or salary such as commission-based positions, sub-contracting, casual or piece-rate work; or business arrangements between the employer and employee (Australian Apprentice) where the employee is a partner/director in the employer’s business, the trustee of a trust, a franchisee or a shareholder who has a substantial financial concern in the business. This includes business arrangements between an employee and a host employer where the employee is employed by a GTO; or where the Australian Apprentice is a primary school student. Young people who are primary school students at the commencement of an Australian Apprenticeship and move to secondary school do not attract payments under the Programme while they continue in that Australian Apprenticeship; or employment arrangements which specify contract or seasonal employment; or the Australian Apprentice is employed in a Supported Wage Arrangement and is paid according to a productivity or competency based arrangement as a proportion of wages set by an award. Where there is reasonable doubt about the validity of the employment arrangements, access to payments under the Programme should be rejected.
A NSW Trainee Apprentice must attach a copy of the approval letter from the STA to their application. Applications received more than 12 months after the Australian Apprentice became eligible for LAFHA Application Forms received more than 12 months from the date an Australian Apprentice became eligible for LAFHA may be approved subject to meeting the eligibility criteria. Consistent with the time limits for lodging claims, the eligibility period can only be backdated 12 months from the date the application was received. and Youth Allowance/ Austudy/ ABSTUDY Under the Social Security Act 1991, section 552, the multiple entitlements exclusion rule prohibits an Australian Apprentice from attracting LAFHA and Youth Allowance/Austudy/ABSTUDY at the same time. An Australian Apprentice who has a current entitlement for Youth Allowance/Austudy/ABSTUDY must cancel that existing claim with Centrelink before making a claim for LAFHA. Similarly, an Australian Apprentice who is currently in receipt of LAFHA must seek to cancel their LAFHA prior to making a claim for Youth Allowance/Austudy/ABSTUDY. rates and eligibility periods Subject to meeting the eligibility requirements, LAFHA will be paid as follows: Year LAFHA at the rate of $77.17 per week for the first 12 months from the date of commencement; Second Year LAFHA at the rate of $38.59 per week for the second 12 month period; Third Year LAFHA at the rate of $25.00 per week for the third 12 month period. Where an Australian Apprentice moves away from the parental or guardian’s residential home at a date subsequent to the commencement date, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements, they will only attract LAFHA for the period between the date of establishing a
claim forms must be signed and dated on or after the last day of the claim period; and forms must be received by the Apprenticeship Network Provider within 12 months of the first day of the claim period; and where the Australian Apprentice is employed by a GTO, either the host employer or the GTO shall sign the claim form. or suspension of Training Contract Where an Australian Apprentice becomes out of trade, unemployed or is placed on workers compensation, LAFHA may continue to be paid for three months from the date of cancellation or suspension provided that the Australian Apprentice: maintains their LAFHA residence; and does not resume living at parental/legal guardian’s home on an ongoing basis; and has not lodged a claim for Youth Allowance/Austudy/ABSTUDY. Where an Australian Apprenticeship has been cancelled the Australian Apprentice must also be registered with Centrelink as a jobseeker. Assistance For Australian Apprentices with Disability Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support Overview The Government wishes to encourage employers to provide Australian Apprenticeships to people with disabilities who are able to participate in open employment with a level of suitable support and training.
the Australian Apprentice’s medication or basic self-management strategies have been assessed and it has been determined that they do not overcome the impact of the disability on the performance of the employment-based duties of the Australian Apprenticeship position; and the Australian Apprentice will be able to carry out the duties of the occupation given suitable support; and the employer must be paying a suitable wage of at $104.30 per week or its part-time equivalent. Consistent with this, for any period in which the employer does not pay wages of at least this amount, the employer is not eligible to claim DAAWS; and Forms 608 and Form 1288 (Application Form: Assistance for an Australian Apprentice with Disability) must be completed in a timely manner. At the time of application, Form 608 must have been completed: less than six months earlier for Australian Apprentices with a permanent or long-term disability; or less than three months earlier for Australian Apprentices with a temporary disability. Eligibility period Subject to meeting the eligibility criteria outlined an Australian Apprentice may be approved to attract DAAWS for their employer for: 12 months for long-term or permanent disability; or a specific period in the case of temporary disability. Assessment for continuing support for DAAWS Employers who are seeking continuation of DAAWS funding must provide evidence that the Australian Apprentice is progressing satisfactorily towards a successful completion of their Australian Apprenticeship as follows: for Australian Apprentices with a permanent disability who are seeking continuation at the 12 month point, the employer must: