If you're starting an apprenticeship in a high-demand industry, you may be eligible for financial support to help you along the way.
Payments are available to apprentices in priority occupations—covering living costs, training expenses, and more. Whether you're just getting started or already in training, it's a great place to check what support you're entitled to.
What is a “Priority Occupation”?
These are occupations included in the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List, based on the Jobs and Skills Australia Occupation Shortage List (October 2024) and the ABS OSCA classifications. The list is updated officially each year (e.g. 1 January 2025, then 1 July 2025 for the mid‑year update)
Apprentices training in these occupations (generally Certificate III, IV, Diploma, or Advanced Diploma) may access additional financial supports—such as Apprentice Training Support Payments (up to $5,000), Priority Wage Subsidies for employers, and the Key Apprenticeship Program incentives of up to $10,000.
What Occupations Are Included?
The 2025 list expanded coverage from around 77 to 111 occupations to address critical skill shortages across trades, technical and community service roles. It includes over 65 occupations in the clean energy sector and housing construction sector, eligible under the Key Apprenticeship Program, shown with an ‘E’ flag on the list (NEA or HCA designation)
It also encompasses non‑trade, high‑demand roles in community, aged care, childcare, and disability care.
Specific roles added in 2024 (and carried forward) included appliance‑type positions such as ambulance officer, pharmacy technicians, shipwrights, mining deputy, irrigation technicians, light technicians, and more
A full list of eligible occupations and qualifications is maintained in a downloadable PDF (Australian Apprenticeships Priority List – current version updated 1 July 2025) available via the
How You Can Find the Exact Occupation Name
To see if your exact trade or qualification is listed:
- Visit the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List Explorer on the government site.
- Check under the clean energy and housing construction categories for Key Apprenticeship Program occupations.
- Look in community and care sectors for non‑trade high‑demand roles
- These tools will also provide details on expected income, qualification level required, and the type of government support available