Following the 2009-10 Federal Budget announcement, the Tools For Your Trade voucher initiative has effectively ceased as at 12 May 2009. The Tools For Your Trade voucher initiative will transform into a new Tools For Your Trade payment initiative, commencing on 1 January 2010.

Under the old system apprentices were entitled to a voucher for an $800.00 tool kit. This kit was supplied by one of the 7000 participating outlets registered for the program.

Note: there will be a shortening of the time limit that Australian Apprentices now have to claim and exchange their voucher. All vouchers will need to be exchanged for tool kits on or before 31 October 2009.

The Tools For Your Trade payment was announced in the 2009‐10 Budget. It combines three existing initiatives previously available to Australian Apprentices, the Tools For Your Trade voucher, Apprenticeship Wage Top‐Up and the Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarship. The new system applies to all eligible  apprentices signed up after 12th May 2009

The new payment totals $3,800 and will be paid directly to the Australian Apprentice over the life of their Australian Apprenticeship training.

The new payment will be delivered as five tax exempt cash payments totalling $3,800 over the life of the Australian Apprenticeship. Payments will be made as follows:
 $800 payable after three months.
 $800 payable after 12 months.
 $800 payable after 24 months.
 $700 payable after 36 months.
 $700 payable upon successful completion.

Part time Australian Apprentices or Australian School‐based Apprentices, will also receive the first payment once they have completed three months of training. Subsequent payments will be paid after 24, 48, 72 months and upon successful completion.

CVIAQ is concerned that the new system will pay directly into the apprentice’s bank account. We are not aware of any mechanism to ensure that the money is spent correctly.

Members wishing to have input on this issue please follow up to j.samson@cviaq.asn.au

Further information can be found by visiting: http://www.toolsforyourtrade.com.au/