Australasian Mining Review
Issue link: http://ebook.aprs.com.au/i/37922
132 Apprentices, driving Australia’s future The Australian mining industry took on more than 9,000 apprenticeships in 2010*. With this number increasing it’s increasingly important for apprentices to have access to quality education programs and tools to ensure they are equipped to step up and assist in tackling the current skills shortage in Australia. What is the Tools For Your Trade Scheme? As part of its initiative to increase apprentice numbers, the Australian Government is continuing its Tools For Your Trade Scheme in 2011, which enables eligible apprentices to receive a $5,500 grant over the life of their apprenticeship. Who is eligible for the Tools For Your Trade payments? The Tools For Your Trade payments are available to Australian Apprentices who are undertaking a Certifi cate III or IV qualifi cation for a trade listed on the National Skills Needs List to support Australian Apprentices with the costs of their training, purchases of relevant tools, and other costs associated with their Australian Apprenticeship. The payments are paid directly to the Apprentice under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program. For the most up-to-date version, visit www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au When will eligible Australian Apprentices receive their payments? Payments are delivered as fi ve tax exempt cash payments over the life of the Australian Apprenticeship and be eligible for those payments where the relevant milestone point falls. Payments are made as follows: $800 payable after 3 months. $1000 payable after 12 months. $1000 payable after 24 months. $1200 payable after 36 months. $1500 payable upon successful completion of the Australian Apprenticeship. Australian Apprentices may be eligible for one or more of the Tools For Your Trade payments during the course of their Australian Apprenticeship and eligibility for each of the Tools For Your Trade payments will be assessed by your Australian Apprenticeships Centre. What about part-time and Australian School- based Apprentices? Part-time Australian Apprentices or Australian School-based Apprentices will receive the fi rst payment once they have completed three months of their Australian Apprenticeship. Subsequent payments will be paid after 24, 48, and 72 months and upon successful completion of the Australian Apprenticeship. What if an Australian Apprentice completes their training early? If an Australian Apprentice completes their Australian Apprenticeship prior to reaching a payment point, they will receive the balance of the Tools For Your Trade payments owed to them. The Tools For Your Trade payments for which they are eligible will depend on their individual circumstances. How do eligible Australian Apprentices apply for Tools For Your Trade payments? Australian Apprenticeships Centres are contracted by the Australian Government to administer the Tools For Your Trade payments. Your Australian Apprenticeships Centre will be able to determine eligibility for Tools For Your Trade payments and assist with making a claim. How will Tools For Your Trade payments be received? The Tools For Your Trade payments are paid directly into the Australian Apprentice’s nominated bank account. What about paying tax? Tools For Your Trade payments are tax exempt. If you have any questions about how tax exempt payments are treated as income you can talk to the Tax Offi ce on 13 28 61, an accountant or a registered tax agent. Where can I fi nd out more? For more information about Australian Apprenticeships visit your local Australian Apprenticeships Centre, visit www. australianapprenticeships.gov.au , or call the Australian Apprenticeships referral line on 13 38 73 to fi nd Australian Apprenticeships Centres in your region. *According to Australian Bureau of Statistics data, 2010 by Stanley www.stanleyworks.com.au [Hand Tools] _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _