WA expands wage subsidy for apprentices

The GTO Wage Subsidy Program helps employers cover wages for apprentices and trainees working on government projects and non-government residential projects.

The investment will support 205 places subsidised at a rate of 50%. A further 75 places will be subsidised at a 75% rate, with 50 places for women in electrical trades to also be subsidised at a 75% rate.

WA Skills and TAFE Minister, Amber-Jade Sanderson, says the investment will help build a pipeline of skilled construction workers who can build more houses and hospitals.

“It builds on initiatives like fee-free and low-fee TAFE which are making training more affordable and accessible for all Western Australians,” she says.

Expansion of the GTO Wage Subsidy Program (funded through the Construction Training Fund) brings the State Government’s total investment in the program to $154.8 million, supporting 1,330 places for construction apprentices and trainees to date.

The program will roll out over the next four years as part of 2026–27 State Budget.

WA Premier Roger Cook says he hopes the incentive will help even more people earn while they learn, and assist more small– and medium–sized businesses to hire apprentices and trainees.

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