PLEASE NOTE: As announced in the 2009-2010 Federal Budget, the Australian Government has introduced a new method of payment for Australian Apprentices under the new Tools For Your Trade payment initiative. Payments to apprentices under the new initiative will commence from 1 January 2010.

For further information regarding the cessation of the Tools For Your Trade voucher initiative and the introduction of the Tools For Your Trade payment initiative, please see frequently asked questions.

Tools For Your Trade voucher initiative is a practical incentive that gives first-year Australian Apprentices a head start by helping them to buy essential work items.

Since 1 July 2005, the Tools For Your Trade voucher initiative has helped to ease the financial burden on more than 34,000 Australian Apprentices each year, by providing $800 (GST inclusive) towards a tool kit.

Developed to further address the issue of skills shortages in the trades, the Initiative is targeted towards apprentices who have undertaken training in an eligible occupation experiencing skills needs.

The Tools For Your Trade voucher initiative is an additional incentive to supplement tool allowances received by Australian Apprentices through existing arrangements with their employer. The voucher initiative is not to be used in place of any other award schemes between the employer and the apprentice.


► How does the voucher Initiative work?
► Benefits
► Eligibility: Do you qualify?
► Tool kits