Australian Government Invests $1.2 Billion to Create 100,000 New Jobs

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg arrives at the Treasury in Canberra, Australia on October 5, 2020. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

The Morrison government is investing $1.2 billion to lead the country out of the economic downturn caused by the impact of the CCP virus pandemic, and create 100,000 new apprentices and trainees.

Starting Oct 5, businesses who take on a new Australian apprentice will only need to pay half their wages over the next year, regardless of business size, location, or industry.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told Channel Nine that this would build on the $2.8 billion they’ve already invested in skills and training, bringing the total amount to $4 billion ($US2.9 billion).

“Whether you are a baker or butcher, whether you are a sparkie, plumber or carpenter you are getting support from the Morrison Government,” Frydenberg said.

The package is not limited to trades, but also hospitality, tourism, aged care, arts and graphic design and is open to any business of any size.

To apply for the scheme businesses need to register for the subsidy through an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider. There are no limits per company, but their apprentices must be one of the first 100,000 to register for the grant.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the investment is a response to the mass number of jobs lost during the outbreak of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as novel coronavirus.

“Already 760,000 jobs that were either lost or reduced to zero hours as the COVID crisis hit have come back into our economy. We want to continue to recover what has been lost and get young people into work,” Morrison said in a media release on Monday.

The National Australian Apprenticeship Association (NAAA) also warmly welcomed the Morrison governments wage subsidy.

CEO of NAA Ben Bardon said the announcement was a “vital measure to secure the record investment the government has already made in apprenticeships this year.”

“It’s the missing piece of the skills pipeline puzzle,” Bardon explained.

Twitter user Mark from Melbourne said the support for apprentices has allowed him to take on more at his boat building workshop.

He replied to the Treasurer’s announcement: “I’ve actually been able to keep 2 apprentices employed this year thanks to this scheme. They’re actually working, not sitting at home playing Xbox!!! Fantastic initiative and great to see it continue!”

“Without it, two apprentices may have lost their jobs.”