The Apprentice Tool Allowance (ATA) is a $4.5 million program by Construction Training Fund. The program will provide eligible apprentices and trainees with a rebate of $500 for the purchase of relevant tools and/or safety equipment that is required for the apprentice’s on-the-job work.
This program will last for a period of 12 months, covering relevant expenses incurred by eligible apprentices during the period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023.
The Apprentice Tool Allowance is designed to:
- provide financial support for apprentices’ and trainees’ on-the-job activities
- promote safety and help update safety equipment
- help retain apprentices and trainees in employment for workforce sustainability
There are more than 9,000 apprentices and trainees working in construction in WA who will benefit from the Apprentice Tool Allowance program.
You can claim now by clicking on the Apprentice Tool Allowance Portal link below:
Eligibility Criteria
To claim the $500 tool rebate from CTF, apprentices and trainees must:
- be active in a qualification covered under the CTF Apprenticeship and Traineeship Grant for Employers Program between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023
- be substantively working within the construction industry
- work on a building site (i.e. not in a workshop or office)
- present appropriately dated receipted invoices noting items and the value of items purchased and being claimed against this program
Please note the below works are not classified as construction or exempt from CTF funding.
If most of your work is in these areas you will not be eligible.
- Exploration for resources (minerals, oil, and gas) or construction work associated with resources exploration
- Resources/mining facilities decommissioning, rehabilitation, or operational works (including shutdowns
- Building or maintenance of Ships
- Maintenance, repairs or inspection of elevators and escalators
- Minor/routine maintenance
Claiming Process
To benefit from the Apprentice Tool Allowance the apprentice/trainee will be required to submit a copy of their receipt/s through CTF's Apprentice Tool Allowance Portal below:
For more information on the Apprentice Tool Allowance please email info@ctf.wa.gov.au or call us on 08 9244 0100
By registering with the CTF you can use the Apprentice Tool Allowance Portal to submit tax invoice/s for tools, safety equipment or safety clothing you have purchased up to the value of $500.
After you have registered you can access the Apprentice Tool Allowance Portal. You will need to complete a claim and attach a tax invoice/s for each of the purchases you have made and then enter your bank details for the account you would like to be reimbursed into.
Please note that according to the ATO a tax invoice has some specific information on it which includes: the words ‘Tax Invoice’, the seller’s name and ABN, the date the invoice was issued, a brief description of the items sold, GST amount (if any) payable and total amount
You’ll need the personal details as they appear within the Department of Training and Workforce Development’s Western Australian Apprenticeship Management System which are listed on your apprentice/trainee contract. These include your email address, your Training Contract ID and the RTO you attend.
The program will officially launch on 1 July 2022.
The ATA program will run for a period of 12 months, covering relevant expenses incurred by eligible apprentices during the period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023
Tools are generally a piece of equipment that can be used by hand and can include:
- Hand tools, such as screwdrivers, brushes, trowels, wrenches, knives, crimpers, clamps, and so on
- Power tools, which may be powered by electricity, compressed air, liquid fuel, hydraulic power, or powder-actuated and might include; mixers, saws, cutters, drills, grinders, breakers, and so on
- Machine tools, used for shaping materials into components by cutting, boring, grinding, and so on
Safety Equipment includes items that are used to protect oneself and avoid injury or casualty and may include:
Dangerous goods storage Workwear Eye, face and head protection Respiratory protection Fall protection Safety cones and bollards Fire safety Signage and barriers First aid and sun protection Spill kits Foot protection Welding protection Safety footwear First aid kits Hand protection Sun protection Hearing protection Traffic safety Knee pads Hydration PPE Hand cleaner Material handling Sprayers Claims for building materials and other consumables will not be accepted
Individual apprentices and trainees can submit more than one claim in the year, until the $500 maximum rebate is achieved
No, CTF work on a receipted basis. The apprentice/trainee must pay in full for tools/safety equipment then CTF will provide rebates to the value of $500.
Yes, you will receive the Apprentice Tool Allowance in addition to other initiatives such as Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment and Trade Support Loans.
Yes, the CTF Apprentice Tool Allowance is open to all eligible apprentices and trainees regardless of age.
Unfortunately not. The purchase must be made within an active apprenticeship contract.
If the tax invoice confirming purchase has a name on it, it must be your own. You cannot claim if the tax invoice is issued to another person.
No, the apprentice/trainee needs to claim the Apprentice Tool Allowance directly from the CTF.
Apprentice Tool Allowance FAQ
Last modified on: