Address
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location Address
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationStrengthening apprentice support will strengthen economy
Strengthening apprentice support will strengthen economy
Member and guest login
Enter your email and password to access secured content, members only resources and discount prices.
Did you become a member online? If not, you will need to activate your account to login.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
Forgotten password
Need some help?
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
If the email address you have entered is registered, you will receive an email with further instructions.
Become part of the HIA community
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
Create a guest account
Enter your details below and create a login
Government to extend the 'Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements' subsidy by injecting a further $1.2 billion is a welcome response to HIA’s call.
Tuesday, 09th March 2021
“The first tranche of the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy program is fully subscribed, helping to create 100,000 apprenticeships in less than five months. This is a commendable outcome and should be recognised.
“Updating the program to remove the cap and be demand driven and to expand the payments to cover a full 12 months for new apprentices and trainees signed up prior to 30 September 2021 will see these early benefits grow and jobs created.
“It is estimated that this extension will support hundreds of thousands of small businesses across Australia take on new apprentices and trainees over the next six months.
“The $2.8 billion already provided for this wage subsidy has made a significant difference for the housing industry and supported many new apprentices since October start their study and training.
“In under five months, the target of 100,000 new starters has been realised. Taken together with the support for existing apprentices and trainees already in a job before COVID-19, this means over 222,000 apprentices and trainees are being supported by the wage subsidy programs.
“This will keep a pipeline of skilled workers in place as the housing industry navigates its way through the economic recovery.
“As JobKeeper and other business supports reach an end in March there is a risk to keeping existing trainees and apprentices in a job. Ensuring apprentices who were in training before COVID-19 also continue to be supported throughout 2021 is also critical.
“The extension of this vital assistance will mean not only are apprentices kept in the jobs they have today, but that new apprentices can find work, businesses can continue to build and Australia can maintain a healthy level of skilled tradespeople into the future,” concluded Ms Brookfield.
For further information please contact
“Updating the program to remove the cap and be demand driven and to expand the payments to cover a full 12 months for new apprentices and trainees signed up prior to 30 September 2021 will see these early benefits grow and jobs created.
“It is estimated that this extension will support hundreds of thousands of small businesses across Australia take on new apprentices and trainees over the next six months.
“The $2.8 billion already provided for this wage subsidy has made a significant difference for the housing industry and supported many new apprentices since October start their study and training.
“In under five months, the target of 100,000 new starters has been realised. Taken together with the support for existing apprentices and trainees already in a job before COVID-19, this means over 222,000 apprentices and trainees are being supported by the wage subsidy programs.
“This will keep a pipeline of skilled workers in place as the housing industry navigates its way through the economic recovery.
“As JobKeeper and other business supports reach an end in March there is a risk to keeping existing trainees and apprentices in a job. Ensuring apprentices who were in training before COVID-19 also continue to be supported throughout 2021 is also critical.
“The extension of this vital assistance will mean not only are apprentices kept in the jobs they have today, but that new apprentices can find work, businesses can continue to build and Australia can maintain a healthy level of skilled tradespeople into the future,” concluded Ms Brookfield.
For further information please contact
Kristin Brookfield
Former Deputy Managing Director
Latest articles
04 Dec
Federal Government confirms funding for Territory apprentices during visit to Darwin
“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is pleased to welcome Minister Andrew Giles to the HIA NT Skills Centre in Darwin, providing an opportunity to showcase the Northern Territory’s training pipeline and discuss the continued challenges facing the local residential building industry,” HIA Executive Director Northern Territory, Luis Espinoza, said today.
03 Dec
Housing Australia launches Round 3 funding
The Federal Government, through Housing Australia, has announced a third round of funding, in support of its commitment to the building of 1.2 million homes over the next 5 years.
03 Dec
Christmas Comes Early for Housing: HIA Backs Premier’s Action Agenda
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) today welcomed Premier Rockliff’s announcement of the Tasmanian Government’s next 100-day plan, which commits a suite of housing and planning reforms to fast-track new homes and cut red tape.
02 Dec
Key changes under the QBCC Bill
The Queensland Government recently announced the next phase of the ‘Building Reg Reno’ reforms, including various changes under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025.
Become a HIA apprentice
Your future career starts with us.
Take the opportunity to gain real-life skills across various trades in the residential construction industry.
Find out where we can take you.
Economic reports
HIA National & State Outlook Report
A comprehensive, up-to-date, and easy to follow quarterly forecast of home building and renovation activity.
Non-member price $ 330
Member/Subscriber price $120
HIA-Colorbond® steel Housing 100
Review the latest activities, market share and statistics of Australia’s largest homebuilders and residential developers.
Non-member price $ 165
Member/Subscriber price $55
New home sales report
Understand the current new home sales and construction activity each month.
Non-member price $ 55
Member/Subscriber price FREE
HIA–Cotality Residential Land Report
Understand land prices, land sale volumes, and residential lot sizes on a capital city and non-metropolitan basis – right down to a statistical district level.
Non-member price $ 55
Member/Subscriber price FREE
HIA Population and Residential Building Hotspots Report
Understand where the nation’s population growth and building hotspots are, so you can confidently plan for your future projects.
Non-member price $ 440
Member/Subscriber price FREE
HIA Stamp Duty Watch
Understand the latest developments in stamp duty on home purchases.
Non-member price $ 120
Member/Subscriber price FREE
Trades Report
Understand the availability of skilled trades and the costs associated on both a national and state level.
Non-member price $ 55
Member/Subscriber price FREE
HIA Affordability Report
Understand the financial indicators impacting the affordability of homes in Australia.
Non-member price $ 55
Member/Subscriber price FREE