UP TO $16,000 FOR QUEENSLAND EMPLOYERS HIRING AN APPRENTICE
The Queensland Government has opened a major new incentive for construction, plumbing, electrical and engineering employers who take on an apprentice.
TradieStart offers eligible small, medium and large businesses payments of up to $16,000, and it sits alongside an expanded Small Business Apprenticeship Program, which now has funding for 2,000 more places. Together, these programs are backing around 4,500 new and existing apprenticeship opportunities across the state.
Here’s what ACFA x KBDi members need to know.
FOR EMPLOYERS
- A joint initiative of the Queensland Government and Construction Skills Queensland.
- Registrations open 1 August 2026 for the first 2,500 eligible apprentices
- Applies to apprentices who commence or recommence employment on or after 1 August 2026 and have completed probation (generally 90 days).
- Two streams: Stream 1 for small businesses, Stream 2 for medium/large businesses and Group Training Organisations.
Eligibility requirements — Stream 1 (small business)
For small businesses, employers must:
- be a small business with 1 to 19 employees (excluding contractors).
- have an annual turnover of less than $10 million.
- have no previous record of employing an apprentice under a training contract in Queensland.
- complete a free TAFE Queensland micro-credential (mentoring, workplace safety or supervision) before claiming payment.
The apprentice must:
- have commenced or recommenced employment with an eligible employer on or after 1 August 2026 and have completed probation (generally 90 days).
- be undertaking an eligible construction, plumbing, engineering or electrical apprenticeship.
A bonus payment applies if the apprentice identifies with a priority cohort: veterans, women, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or people with disability. Apprentices must be among the first 1,500 registrations under this stream to be eligible.
If you already employ an apprentice, you won’t qualify for Stream 1 — the Small Business Apprenticeship Program (below) may apply instead.
Eligibility requirements — Stream 2 (medium/large business or GTO)
For medium to large businesses, employers must:
- employ 20 or more employees (excluding contractors), or be a Group Training Organisation.
- have an annual turnover of at least $10 million.
- employ an apprentice who commenced on or after 1 August 2026 and belongs to a priority cohort (veterans, women, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or people with disability).
- (Group Training Organisations must also commit to reducing the service fee charged to the host employer.)
The apprentice must also:
- be undertaking an eligible construction, plumbing, engineering or electrical apprenticeship, and have completed probation (generally 90 days).
Apprentices must be among the first 1,000 registrations under this stream to be eligible.
What you can get
Payments are made in two instalments — 50% after 6 months of employment and 50% after 18 months (or on completion, if earlier, provided the apprentice has been employed at least 6 months).
| Stream 1: Standard payment | Under 21 | 21 or Over |
| 1. Paid after 6 months | $5,000 | $7,000 |
| 2. Paid after 18 months | $5,000 | $7,000 |
| Stream 1: Priority Cohort Bonus | Under 21 | 21 or Over |
| 1. Paid after 6 months | $6,000 | $8,000 |
| 2. Paid after 18 months | $6,000 | $8,000 |
Stream 1 businesses can claim either the standard or the priority cohort payment, not both.The maximum available is $16,000 (2 x $8,000, for an apprentice 21 or over from a priority cohort).
| Stream 2: Payment | Under 21 | 21 or Over |
| 1. Paid after 6 months | $5,000 | $7,000 |
| 2. Paid after 18 months | $5,000 | $7,000 |
ELIGIBLE TRADES
TradieStart covers apprenticeships in a wide range of construction, plumbing, electrical and engineering trades, including cabinet making, joinery, carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing, electrotechnology/electrical, roof plumbing, tiling, refrigeration and air-conditioning, fire protection, and more.
Small Business Apprenticeship Program — now with 2,000 more places
- From 20 July 2026, registrations reopened for an additional 2,000 places (4,000 total places since the program began in October 2025).
- Pays eligible small businesses a wage subsidy for construction apprentice wages during training blocks (an average of 8 weeks per year, up to 32 weeks total).
- Subsidy rate: 50% of the typical wage in years 1 and 2, reducing to 25% in years 3 and 4.
- Payment rates increased from 1 July 2026 — current per-milestone amounts range from $1,820 to $4,800 depending on the apprentice’s age and training year.
- Eligibility: business with 19 or fewer employees, turnover under $10 million, and an apprentice who commenced on or after 1 July 2025 in an eligible construction, plumbing, engineering or electrical apprenticeship.
How to register
- TradieStart: the registration form opens 1 August 2026. Registrations are processed within 30 business days. A claim form (to request payment once a milestone is reached) will be available from early 2027.
- Small Business Apprenticeship Program: registration is open now via the online form.
FOR APPRENTICES
- These incentives are paid to your employer, not to you directly — but they make it easier for businesses (especially first-time employers) to take you on and support you through your training.
- To count towards these programs, you need to be employed under a registered Queensland training contract in an eligible construction, plumbing, electrical or engineering apprenticeship.
- Priority cohort recognition (veterans, women, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people with disability) can make your employer eligible for a higher payment. Worth asking your employer or Apprentice Connect Australia Provider if this applies to you.
- If you’re considering a trade career, now is a strong time to reach out to employers in these fields, many will be actively looking to take on new apprentices from 1 August 2026
FOR CAREER ADVISORS
- These incentives give you a concrete, current example to share with students and clients who are weighing up a trade pathway: construction, plumbing, electrical and engineering apprenticeships all qualify.
- Employers may be more open to taking on first-year apprentices while TradieStart and the Small Business Apprenticeship Program are running, particularly small businesses hiring their first-ever apprentice.
- Point students towards Apprenticeships Info (1800 210 210) or an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider for help finding a placement.
- Full program guidelines and FAQs are published on the Business Queensland website (linked below) if you need to check a specific qualification’s eligibility.
ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS
- TradieStart and the expanded Small Business Apprenticeship Program are backing an estimated 4,500 new apprenticeship opportunities across Queensland’s construction and trade sectors.
- Both programs are a joint initiative of the Queensland Government and Construction Skills Queensland.
- They form part of the Queensland Government’s response to a forecast construction workforce shortfall, driven by the state’s infrastructure and housing pipeline and preparations for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Need help further information?
- For eligibility questions, registration and claim support: Apprenticeships Info (Queensland Government) — 1800 210 210.
- Apprentice Connect Australia Providers, such as Apprenticeship Support Australia, can also help you register an apprentice and check what you’re eligible for.
- Apprentice Connect Australia Providers, such as Apprenticeship Support Australia, can also help you register an apprentice and check what you’re eligible for.
- TradieStart-specific enquiries: tradiestart@dtet.qld.gov.au
- Small Business Apprenticeship Program enquiries: sbapp@dtet.qld.gov.au
Source: Business Queensland (business.qld.gov.au), current as at 24 July 2026. Figures and dates are subject to change, always confirm details on the Business Queensland website before relying on them.
How ACFA x KBDi can help!
Taking on an apprentice comes with more than just funding questions. Our workplace advice team supports members with the practical side of getting it right, from setting correct wage rates and allowances, to preparing a compliant contract of employment for your apprentice, through to onboarding and day-to-day management once they start.
If you’re a member, get in touch with the team for tailored, up-to-date advice for your business with unlimited calls to our workplace advice team.
Not yet a member?
Find out how ACFA x KBDi membership can support your business at every stage of employing an apprentice. Email: membership@acfa.net.au Phone: 1300 342 248
