Employer incentives and assistance (Northern Territory Government)
If you employ apprentices and trainees, you may be eligible for Northern Territory Government funding in addition to financial assistance and incentives provided by the Australian Government.
The Territory Government provides funds to encourage training that:
- supports developing industries or industries in which there are skill shortages
- increases training opportunities in remote locations
- offers disadvantaged groups pathways to training and employment.
NT Employer Incentive Scheme
Under the Northern Territory Jobs Plan, the NT Employer Incentive Scheme provides financial assistance to eligible employers to increase the employment of additional apprentices and trainees in the Northern Territory:
- NT Occupational Shortages Employer Incentives (pdf 38Kb)
- NT Disadvantaged Groups Employer Incentives (pdf 36Kb)
Payroll Tax Deductions
Wages paid to apprentices and trainees are excluded from taxable wages for payroll tax purposes.
Travel and Accommodation Assistance
Under the Northern Territorys User Choice Policy, apprentices and trainees may undertake off-the-job training with the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) of their choice, regardless of where the training is held even if its away from home.
If employers and their apprentice or trainee choose off-the-job training away from home when the training is available locally, they will have to meet any extra costs. This includes any travel and accommodation expense as well as any additional costs over and above the standard rate.
If there is no RTO providing the training locally and the only practical option is to do off-the-job training away from home (more than 50km), apprentices and trainees may be eligible for financial assistance under the Travel and Accommodation Subsidy Scheme. The scheme applies to training in the Northern Territory or in another state or territory.
Travel subsidies paid to the apprentice or trainee may be equivalent to the average discounted airfare available on the dates of travel or the cost of a return bus fare. For distances of less than 1000km (one way), the subsidy will be for a bus fare or, if travelling by road, 45 cents per kilometre, whichever is the lesser. A grant of 45 cents per kilometre for daily trips is available, if the trip is more than 50km one way.
Transfer subsidies to assist with the cost of travel between the airport or bus terminal and accommodation are available. The current rates are:
- interstate travel $55
- intrastate travel $33
Accommodation grants of $220 for a full week (seven days) and $31.50 for each extra day are also available.
Note that the payments are a subsidy only. It is expected that the apprentice or trainee pay the remaining balance of the costs. Some employers also contribute to the costs of travel and accommodation.
Travel and Accommodation Subsidy claim forms are available from Australian Apprenticeships NT. The forms should be sent to them for processing six weeks before travel takes place.
See the department's policies section for more information or contact Australian Apprenticeships NT on 1300 137 130.
Australian Government incentives
Australian Government incentives may vary depending on government policy. Check the Australian Apprenticeships website or Australian Apprenticeships NT for up-to-date details and to find out which Australian Government employer incentives you are eligible for.