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Travel and Accommodation Allowance

Eligible WA construction workers in training and schools can receive a subsidy for their accommodation and travel expenses.

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The Travel and Accommodation Allowance provides a subsidy to eligible training attendees to assist with the cost of travel and accommodation when travelling more than 70km (or 140km round trip) to a training provider.

This program will be available from 1 July 2024.

What is the Travel and Accommodation Allowance?

The Travel and Accommodation Allowance is available to four groups of people.

  • Eligible apprentices and trainees who travel more than 70kms (round trip) to complete off-the-job training.
  • Current regional construction workers and regional apprentices travelling for supplementary skills training that is not available at their location.
  • Regional school groups attending a Try-A-Trade.
  • Eligible Certificate II Pre-apprenticeship students travelling to attend training for their qualifications.

Apprentices completing qualifications can claim the CTF Travel and Accommodation Allowance rebate in addition to the Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD) Travel and Accommodation Allowance.

Make sure you submit your claim within the correct claim period for your claim type. Details of the claim period are in the FAQs below.

How Much Can I Claim?

To determine how much you can claim, please use the table below.

Claimant TypeTravel ClaimableAccommodation Claimable
Eligible apprentices attending training80 cents per kmCTF will provide a rebate on top of the DTWD Accommodation Grant to cover the gap in accommodation costs

Up to $100 per night per apprentice where the training venue is below 26th parallel*

Up to $150 per night per apprentice where the training venue is above 26th parallel
Regional Construction Workers and regional apprentices attending supplementary skills training
 
OR
 
Any Certificate II (pre-apprenticeship) students
80 cents per kmUp to $100 per night per person where the training venue is below 26th parallel

Up to $150 per night per person where the training venue is above 26th parallel
Try-A-Trade reimbursement to regional schools
 
Maximum claim x 2 per school per year
80 cents per km
 
 
Bus hire is also claimable
Up to $100 per night per student/teacher where the training venue is below 26th parallel

Up to $150 per night per student/teacher where the training venue is above 26th parallel
 
 
*To determine if you are traveling from above or below the 26th parallel, more information can be found here. Alternatively, contact our team to learn more.

Example 1 of accommodation claim:

Accommodation invoice             $130 per night 

DTWD allowance                          $100 per night 

Difference                                        $30 per night 

CTF allowance                               $30 per night 

Example 2 of accommodation claim:

Accommodation invoice             $280 per night 

DTWD allowance                          $100 per night 

Difference                                        $180 per night 

CTF allowance                               $100 per night 

When must I claim by?

Claimant TypeSubmit Claim
Eligible apprentices completing qualificationsWithin 60 days from the end of the training period.  
Regional construction workers or regional apprentices attending supplementary skills trainingWithin 12 months from the end of the training course.  
Try-A-Trade Program (regional only)Within 30 days of the end of a Try-A-Trade program.  
Eligible Certificate II pre-apprenticesWithin 60 days from the end of training

How do I claim the Travel and Accommodation Allowance?

You can make a claim using the forms below. Alternatively, contact our team to learn more.

    FAQ

    What are the travel calculation rules?+

    Travel distance is calculated based on the shortest possible road distance from your home to the closest training venue and return using Google Maps. The method of transport does not matter.

    For Try-A-Trade, the round-trip travel distance is based on the shortest possible road distance from the school to the training venue (for same day training), or accommodation (if the training starts the next day) using Google Maps. The method of transport does not matter.

    Can I still apply for the Travel and Accommodation Allowance if I have applied for the DTWD Travel and Accommodation Allowance?+

    Yes. If you are an apprentice or trainee travelling to undertake off-the-job training, you must have a successful DTWD Travel and Accommodation Allowance claim before applying for the CTF Travel and Accommodation Allowance.

    What does the cost of accommodation include?+

    It includes only the cost of the accommodation itself. Additional costs like credit card fees, internet, linen, parking and food/drink are not covered. Travel and accommodation costs for guardians of training attendees cannot be funded.

    Accommodation for additional nights is not covered, and may only be considered at CTF’s discretion if:

    • The training falls on a weekend AND
    • The cost of the round trip would be more than the accommodation cost.
    I’m an apprentice who is travelling to attain my qualifications, how do I know if I am eligible?+

    An eligible apprentice will have:

    • An Active Apprenticeship or Traineeship record registered in WAAMS (DTWD’s WA Apprentice Management System) and undertaking a qualification funded under CTF’s Employer Grants Program
    • A residential home address within Western Australia.
    • A successful Travel and Accommodation Allowance Claim with DTWD.

    The program applies to existing or new (from 1 July 2024) apprentices and trainees.

    Travel claim rules for apprentices completing qualifications:

    • Travel undertaken must be more than 70km round trip or more than 1100 km if travelling by air based on the calculation rules.
    • Travel undertaken must be directly related to off the job training.
    • If there are multiple training venues during the travel, the closest training venue is used.
    • Training undertaken must:
      • Be for off the job training and
      • Be required to complete the enrolled qualification and/or apprenticeship.
    • You must not:
      • Make a travel and/or accommodation allowance claim if your employer pays for or reimburses the travel or accommodation cost in part or in full.
      • Travel to a training provider or training venue location which is not the closest training venue delivering the off the job training.
      • Make a claim for travel allowance, if travel in a shared vehicle was already claimed by someone else (if multiple claimants travel in the same vehicle, only one person can claim the travel allowance).

    Accommodation claim rules for apprentices completing qualifications:

    • To receive accommodation funding, travel must be more than a 150 km round trip or more than 1100km if travelling by air based on the calculation rules.
    • Private accommodation providers will be considered only upon prior approval and payment by DTWD.
    I am currently a construction worker or apprentice attending supplementary skills training. How do I know if I am eligible?+

    An eligible construction worker will have:

    • A successful CTF Supplementary skills program claim

    An eligible apprentice or trainee will have:

    • An active apprenticeship or traineeship record registered in WAAMS (DTWD’s WA Apprentice Management System) undertaking a qualification funded under CTF’s Employer Grants Program.
    • A residential home address within Western Australia.

    Supplementary skills travel claim rules:

    • Travel undertaken must be more than 70km round trip or more than 1100 km if travelling by air based on the calculation rules.
    • Travel undertaken must be directly related to the training.
    • If there are multiple training venues during the travel, the closest training venue is used.
    • Training undertaken must:
      • Be for off the job training and
      • Training undertaken is completed on or after 1 July 2024.
    • You must not:
      • Make a travel or accommodation allowance claim if your employer pays for the travel or accommodation cost in part or in full.
      • Travel to a training provider or training venue location which is not the closest training venue delivering the off the job training.
      • Make a claim for travel allowance, if travel in a shared vehicle was already claimed by someone else. (If multiple claimants travel in the same vehicle, only one person can claim the travel allowance.)
    • You must provide evidence that training providers or venues that are closer to your usual place of residence are not available in the next three months from the date of inquiry.
    • Private accommodation providers will be assessed when you submit a completed CTF Private Accommodation receipt.

    Supplementary Skills accommodation claim rules:

    • To receive accommodation funding, travel must be more than a 150 km round trip or more than 1100km if travelling by air based on the calculation rules.
    • Private accommodation providers will be assessed upon submission of a completed CTF Private Accommodation receipt.
    Try-A-Trade program: Rules for Travel and Accommodation Allowance.+

    You are eligible if:

    • Your school is regional and has a postcode above 6211.
    • You are a student or teacher (guardians and bus drivers are excluded).
    • Travel undertaken is directly related to the training.

    Try-A-Trade Travel Claim Rules:

    • To be eligible for travel allowance, travel undertaken must be more than 70km round trip or more than 1100 km if travelling by air based on the calculation rules.
    • Both travel and accommodation may be funded.
    • Bus hire must be in a motor vehicle with seven (7) or more seats.
    • Private bus hire may be paid if there is an invoice and receipt. Further evidence may be requested to prove that the bus hire is at a reasonable cost.
    • Bus hire allowance may be reduced for periods beyond the Try-A-Trade program e.g., travel to other educational institutions on days before or after the Try-A-Trade program.
    • Bus hire allowance may include driver’s fees if this is a non-separable component of the hire and not detailed in the invoice.
    • If the travel includes a visit to the Construction Future Centre (CFC), the CFC bus hire will not apply if claiming the bus hire under Travel and Accommodation Allowance.

    Try-A-Trade Accommodation claim rules:

    • To receive accommodation funding, travel must be more than a 150 km round trip or more than 1100 km if travelling by air based on the calculation rules.
    • Private accommodation will not be funded.
    • Accommodation allowance will only be paid for the nights required for travel or during the Try-A-Trade
    I am completing a Certificate II and am a pre-apprenticeship student. How do I know if I am eligible?+

    You are eligible if: 

    You are eligible if you have an enrolment to a pre-apprenticeship funded under the CTF’s Pre-Apprenticeship program.

    The program applies to existing or new (from 1 July 2024) Certificate II pre-apprenticeship students.

    Pre-apprenticeship travel claim rules:

    • Travel undertaken must be more than 150km round trip or more than 1100 km if travelling by air based on the calculation rules
    • Travel undertaken must be directly related to the training.
    • If there are multiple training venues during the travel, the closest training venue is used.
    • Training undertaken must be required to complete the enrolled qualification and/or apprenticeship.
    • You must not:
      • Travel to a training provider or training venue location which is not the closest training venue delivering the off the job training.
      • Make a claim for travel allowance, if travel in a shared vehicle was already claimed by someone else. (If multiple claimants travel in the same vehicle, only one person can claim the travel allowance.)

    Pre-apprenticeship Accommodation Claim Rules:

    • To receive accommodation funding, travel must be more than a 150 km round trip or more than 1100km if travelling by air based on the calculation rules.

    Private accommodation providers will be assessed upon submission of a completed CTF Private Accommodation receipt.

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Acknowledgement of Country

The Construction Training Fund acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land throughout Western Australia and pay our respect to the Elders both past and present. We thank them for their ongoing custodianship of the lands and waters, and celebrate their rich culture of art, song, dance, language, and stories.