The Government has a broad commitment to providing support for Disadvantaged Mature Aged Workers who wish to return to employment and training.

"Disadvantaged" means that the Australian Apprentice immediately prior to commencing the Australian Apprenticeship:

• was in receipt of specified income support from Centrelink or the Dept of Veterans' Affairs; or
• was not in the paid workforce; or
• was in receipt of Intensive Support; or
• had been made redundant from work.

"Mature Aged" means a person who is aged 45 years or older.

A special $750 Mature Aged Worker commencement incentive is available to an employer if the Australian Apprentice is aged 45 years or older on the day of commencement; and has not previously been eligible for this commencement incentive elsewhere.

A further $750 Mature Aged Worker Completion incentive is available to an employer upon the Australian Apprentice successfully completing the Australian Apprenticeship for which the employer attracted the special Mature Aged Worker commencement incentive; and had not been previously been eligible for this completion incentive elsewhere.

Acceptable evidence is required to substantiate each claim and will be dependant upon the situation as outlined above.

For all further information, please contact:
VECCI Apprenticeships Services
Ph:      1300 365 336
Email: apprenticeships@vecci.org.au