• apprentices and trainees and their employers
• training providers, to provide relevant and quality training to industry
• disadvantaged groups or people with special needs.

Funding for apprenticeships and traineeships
The Commonwealth Government provides incentives and subsidies to employers of apprentices and trainees. Funding amounts start from $1,375 with extra financial assistance available for employers:

• taking on a school-based apprentice or trainee
• of New Apprentices in industries where there are currently skill shortages
• who employ and train a person with a disability
• who employ and train Indigenous Australians.

WA also administers other funding schemes designed to assist employers and their trainees or apprentices. These include:

• payroll tax exemption
• travel and accommodation allowances.

For further information on apprenticeship and traineeship funding in Western Australia, contact the Department of Education and Training - Apprenticeships and Traineeships on 131954.

Funding for training providers
User Choice is a national policy that regulates funding to registered training organisations (RTOs) to provide training to apprentices and trainees. To deliver apprenticeship or traineeship training in Western Australia and receive User Choice, funding, RTOs must be registered to deliver the particular qualification with the Training Accreditation Council (TAC). In addition to User Choice funding, the Western Australian government offers funding to RTOs to support industry growth and provide community groups with better training and employment opportunities. Initiatives include:

• funding for short training programs to upgrade the skills for existing workers in industries related to resource development projects in Western Australia
• the Competitive Allocation of Training program
• the Indigenous Education Strategic Initiatives program.

Commonwealth Funding
The Commonwealth Government offers further funding to support training across Australia. Wage Assistance, provides a subsidy of up to $4,400 to Australian employers who give an ongoing job to an eligible Indigenous job seeker. Another Commonwealth initiative, Structured Training and Employment Projects, provides funding for structured and accredited training to employers who take on Indigenous workers.

The Commonwealth Government's Workplace English Language and Literacy program provides workers with English language, literacy and numeracy skills. Funding is also available for enterprise-based language and literacy training to allow workers to make a full contribution to their workplace and to access mainstream workplace training.

Businesses that employ people with disabilities can receive funding and subsidies under the Commonwealth Government's Supported Wage System (SWS). The SWS allows employers to pay a wage that corresponds to a disabled person's rate of productivity with the Government making further contributions to their income. Under the SWS a payment of $1000 to employers can be made to offset the cost of employing a worker with a disability. Funding of up to $5000 is also available for essential workplace modifications or special equipment that will assist people with disabilities get jobs.

Employers who hire unemployed mature-age job seekers can also be eligible for wage subsidies. The Commonwealth Government runs the Basic IT Enabling Skills for Older Workers program to give mature aged people with no post-school qualifications in Information Technology (IT), the opportunity to undertake nationally recognised training. Contact the Department of Education and Training on 1800 999 167 for the latest information on funds for training.

Professional Development Support Program (PDSP)

Other Funding for RTOs

LearnScope

User Choice Website

The User Choice website has been developed to assist Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) that anticipate delivering training to trainees and apprentices in Western Australia.

Topics covered include:

- Applications for Traineeship Funding
- Applications for Apprenticeship Funding
- Contracted Providers List
- Claiming Payment