The following schedule of incentives assumes all eligibility criteria are met and there are no circumstances that would influence whether payments are applicable.

For traineeships with a Certificate II outcome, a standard incentive of $1250.00 is claimable three months after the commencement date of the traineeship.

For traineeships with a Certificate III outcome, and for all apprenticeships, incentives of up to $4000.00 are generally available.

The $4000 is claimable:

• after three months - $1500.00
• on successful completion - $2500.00

Additional payments may be available for special circumstances. A CCI EMPLOYFAST consultant can provide you with details on 1800 224 224 or e-mail: employfast@cciwa.com

Employers can choose to pay a training wage for the duration of the traineeship.

The actual rate of pay depends upon the award under which the trainee is employed, and the training provisions within that award.

Alternatively, if not covered by an award, the employer may have a workplace agreement which incorporates the National Training Wage pay rate and conditions.

Employers also have the option to pay the normal award or a wage established under a registered workplace agreement.

From 1 January 2003 employers may receive a new financial incentive for taking on a school-based Australian Apprentice and a bonus payment if they continue to employ them after they complete year 12.

In addition to existing incentives that employers might qualify for, they will receive $750 for taking on a school-based Australian Apprentice.

Eligible employers will receive a further $750 if they continue to employ the young person in the six-month period after they complete Year 12.

The school-based incentives build on other incentives like the Rural and Regional Australian Apprenticeship Incentive for non-metropolitan areas. Employers may also qualify for other incentives and wage subsidies.

Additional benefits of employing an Australian Apprentice are payroll tax rebates/exemptions and workers' compensation premium exemptions. The availability of these varies between states and territories.

Contact a CCI EMPLOYFAST representative for more information on 1800 224 224 or e-mail: employfast@cciwa.com

The State Government's Youth Skills Investment Initiative is now available to people up to 24 years of age and will allow more young Australians to improve their skills and gain nationally recognised qualifications.

Employers have access to incentive payments of up to $4,000 for eligible employees.

The Youth Skills Investment Initiative allows existing employees, who normally would not qualify for traineeships because they are already employed, to access training and achieve a nationally recognised qualification.

A traineeship is a structured work-based training arrangement that can be conducted on the job.

Traineeships are available in all industry sectors such as business, retail, health, horticulture, food processing, agriculture, warehousing, beauty and metalliferous mining. This opportunity is available from 1 July 2003 until 30 June 2004.

If you currently employ staff in this age bracket who are not undertaking a traineeship, contact CCI EMPLOYFAST today on 1800 224 224 for more information or e-mail: employfast@cciwa.com