Tools for Your Trade
Apprentices and trainees who commenced their apprenticeship/traineeship on or after the 13th of May 2009 will be given five cash payments totalling $4500.00. The payments will commence in January 2010 and spread over the full term of the apprenticeship or traineeship to help meet the costs of completing such training.

Payments are as follows:

• 3 Month - $800.00
• 12 Month - $1000.00
• 24 Month - $1200.00       
• 48 Month - $1500.00        Total = $4,500

Living Away from Home Allowance
The living away from home allowance (LAFHA) is an allowance provided by the Australian Government to help Australian Apprentices including Australian School-based Apprentices who have to live away from their family home. The allowance is available to eligible Australian Apprentices during the first three years of their training.

Apprentices may be eligible to receive the allowance if they have to move away from their family or legal guardians home in order to:

• Take up an Australian Apprenticeship
• Remain in an Australian Apprenticeship
• Receive essential supplementary on-the-job training with another employer

Apprentices may also be eligible to receive the allowance if they are homeless.

The allowance is not available to Australian Apprentices who:

• Receive Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY
• Receive rental or accommodation assistance from Centrelink or their employer
• Are currently attending boarding school
• Moved away from their family home three months or more before starting their Australian Apprenticeship.

For more information visit the Living Away from Home Allowance website:  www.lafha.com.au

Abstudy
If you are an Indigenous full-time Australian Apprentice you may be eligible for Abstudy.
Depending on your situation, you may also be eligible for extra payments to help with the costs of studying.
For more information visit the Centrelink Website:  www.centrelink.gov.au

Youth Allowance
Youth Allowance can assist you if you are a young person undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship.
You may be eligible for Youth Allowance if you are 16 - 24 years old and studying or undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship full-time.
For more information visit the Centrelink Website: www.centrelink.gov.au