The Hon Andrew Giles MP
Minister for Skills and Training

The Albanese Government is building the workforce Australia needs for the future by paying housing construction apprentice tradies $10,000 in incentives, from tomorrow [1 July]. 

The Housing Construction Apprenticeship Program (HCAP) was announced to assist apprentices with cost-of-living pressures, while ensuring Australia has the workforce it needs to build 1.2 million homes over five years.

Eligible apprentices will be entitled to a total of $10,000 in incentive payments, on top of their wages, over the life of their apprenticeship to work in housing construction.

Apprentices will receive $2,000 at six, 12, 24, 36 months, and at the completion of their apprenticeship.

Sectors captured under the HCAP include: carpentry, joinery, plumbing, electrical,  glazier, locksmith, roof plumbing/tiling. 

This initiative will work alongside the New Energy stream, ensuring we build the workforce required for Australia’s transition to net zero.

Other changes to benefit apprentices, which come into effect from tomorrow, include:

• Increasing the Living Away From Home Allowance so apprentices can meet the costs associated with moving to take up an apprenticeship.
• Increasing the Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support payment to support employers taking on apprentices with disability.

The full list of qualifications eligible for HCAP can be found here.