Employer Grant

The Construction Training Fund (CTF) provides an Employer Grant to financially support Western Australian construction employers in hiring an apprentice. An eligible business can receive up to $36,500 from the grant, with the final amount dependent on individual circumstances.  

The purpose of CTF’s Employer Grant 

Apprentices are essential to the continual growth and prosperity of Western Australia’s construction industry. For employers, hiring an apprentice can offer a way to build the capacity of their business. However, apprentices require on-the-job training, which is an investment on behalf of the employer. The Employer Grant is an incentive for construction employers to invest in the training and mentorship of apprentices in the WA construction workforce.

Grant amounts 

The Employer Grant base rate will increase on 1 July 2024. Businesses that employ apprentices for 36-months and 48-months will be eligible for a base grant of $15,000. Businesses employing apprentices or trainees for 18-months and 24-months will be eligible for a base grant of $12,500 and 12-month apprenticeship grants for employers will be increased to $6,250.  

1 July 2024 base grant increases 

In addition to the base grant, additional bonuses are available for employing someone who has completed a pre-apprenticeship, lives regionally, is female, indigenous, or is mature-aged.

As bonuses are calculated as a percentage of the base grant, they will also increase from 1 July 2024.

Employers have the potential to receive a grant of up to $36,500. To find out how much you could receive, please use our Employer Funding Calculator.

Employers and Group Training Organisations (GTOs) supporting students on or from 1 July 2024 will automatically benefit from these changes. No action is required on the part of Employers or GTOs.

For more information on the grant changes and how they benefit you, please refer to our FAQs. 

Is my business eligible for the Employer Grant if I hire an apprentice? 

Whether your business is eligible for the grant depends upon the area of work, the apprentice’s qualification, and documentation.  

The list of apprentice certifications the Employer Grant covers is comprehensive, spanning most construction industry sectors, and includes Certificate II, III, and IV qualifications. 

Additionally, the Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD) must recognise the submitted training contract as active for a business to be eligible for the grant.  

For more information on what qualifications the grant covers, read our Levy & Disbursement Guide, or contact us.

Direct indenture 

Employers are categorised as direct indenture if they directly employ an apprentice. Direct indenture involves the provision of on-the-job training aligned and in collaboration with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).  

The Employer Grant is totalled over the entirety of the apprenticeship, which is two to four years of full-time work. This includes formal classroom off-the-job training with the RTO, as well as real-world, on-site training. To qualify for a trade certificate, the apprentice must demonstrate practical competency and complete all training. 

As a direct indenture employer, you and your worker are also connected to the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network. 

CTF pays the Employer Grant straight to direct indenture employers. 

Group Training Organisations 

Group training organisations (GTO) are institutions that employ apprentices and trainees and place them with affiliated businesses.  

If the worker is employed through a GTO, the GTO receives the apprentice grant and uses it to reduce your hire-out rate. Look for this on the invoices they issue. 

The GTO is responsible for organising off-the-job training on behalf of the worker and connecting the apprentice with an employer for on-site experience. 

To be eligible for the Employer Grant under the GTO program, the GTO must meet the criteria on the GTO Funds Management Agreement document. You can access this upon request from the CTF team. 

Can a sole trader or small business receive the Employer Grant if they hire an apprentice? 

There is no mandatory business size to be eligible for the Employer Grant. Eligibility is determined solely by the apprenticeship information, employment, and documentation. 

Does the Employer Grant cover traineeships? 

Yes, businesses that employ construction trainees are able to claim the Employer Grant. The easiest way to discover find out if a trainee is eligible for the grant is to check the Table of Employer Grants or speak with a CTF staff member. 

Read our article What’s the Difference Between a Traineeship and an Apprenticeship? for more information.  

How do I claim the Employer Grant? 

There is no requirement to submit an application to the CTF.

The CTF conduct an assessment and request documentation from the nominated employer at the relevant payment milestone due dates. Those emails are set to send to the nominated email on your account in WAAMS – please ensure your email address is up to date.

Your claim will be processed in approx. 30 days from the date we receive your documents. If you do not receive an email from us when a milestone is reached, please contact us. More information can be found in the FAQs below.

To learn about other grants your business may be eligible for, please visit the Employer Funding page.