Queensland small and family-owned construction businesses are getting the right tools for the job, with the Queensland Government delivering a $19 million pilot program to help train and retain apprentices.
The Small Business Apprenticeship Pilot Program will subsidise the wages of construction apprentices during off-site training – easing the financial burden for small business owners.
Eligible small businesses can receive a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of the typical wage for first and second year construction apprentices and 25 per cent for third and fourth year apprentices while attending the equivalent of up to eight weeks of training a year.
The program includes:
- apprentices under 21 may be eligible for a total subsidy payment of $10,060 over four years;
- apprentices 21 and over may be eligible for a total subsidy payment of $13,740 over four years.
The pilot program will support 2,000 small business employed construction trade apprentices across the state who commence their apprenticeship from 1 July 2025.
Small business owners can register once an apprentice has completed their probation period, and will be eligible for the subsidy once the apprentice is enrolled and attends training.
The Queensland Government is further backing the State’s construction sector through:
- more than $98 million in construction specific training initiatives over the 2024-25 period, supporting over 29,000 students.
- $10 million to continue the delivery of the Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s program over two years.
- $4 million for free Construction Apprenticeships for eligible Over 25s over three years.
- a new $78 million TAFE Centre of Excellence training hub for construction and allied trades at Caloundra.
- support of the $60 million Construction Skills Queensland Annual Training Plan (2025-26) to fund skills development, workforce support, and industry research.
More information is available at business.qld.gov.au/apprentice-pilot
