Anthony Albanese has pledged a $10,000 bonus payment to apprentice tradies, in an election promise aimed at encouraging more young Aussies to take up tools. 

If elected, Labor would introduce the total $10,000 in incentive payments to tradies doing apprenticeships from July 2025.

Mr Albanese is set to announce the payments at his National Press Club speech on Friday. 

The scheme is aimed at encouraging more young Australians to take up apprenticeships in the residential housing sector and ultimately build more homes. 

It would form part of Mr Albanese’s ambitious plan to build 1.2million new houses over the next five years.

The announcement comes after experts suggested the prime minister’s vision would be hampered by an industry shortfall of about 90,000 workers. 

Under his Key Apprentice Program, jobs like bricklayers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and joiners would be eligible for the payments. 

‘We recognise the next generation of tradies, the people we’re counting on to build the new homes we need, are under significant financial pressure,’ Mr Albanese will tell the National Press Club tomorrow, according to an excerpt from his speech. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will announce a bold plan to lure more young Aussies into the construction sector

‘As a number of apprentices have said, they could earn a lot more stacking shelves in their local supermarket.

‘Too many leave training because they can’t afford to stay.’

However, to ensure workers don’t take the money and run, the cash would be staggered throughout their apprenticeships.

The government would pay out $2,000 at months six, 12, 24, and 36 of apprenticeships, with the final windfall granted upon their completion.

The incentives would come at a cost of $626.9million, according to government estimates.

The prime minister will say the plan is a natural addition to the government’s previous commitments to fee-free TAFE education.

He will also look to tackle the construction worker shortfall with increases to support payments for apprentices living away from home.

‘We are going to provide more support for tradies while they’re training,’ he will say.

If elected, Labor would introduce the total $10,000 in incentive payments to tradies doing apprenticeships from July 2025

If elected, Labor would introduce the total $10,000 in incentive payments to tradies doing apprenticeships from July 2025 

‘Today, I announce we will be raising the allowance paid to apprentices who are living away from home.

‘The first time this payment has been increased since 2003.’

That allowance currently sits at $77.17 per week for first-year trainees, and less for those in later years.

The $10,000 grants would bring assistance for apprentices in residential construction in line with training incentives for those working in the energy sector.

However, only 2,200 apprentices signed on for the $10,000 payment when the Albanese government released that initiative to support ‘green jobs’.

The Prime Minister’s slated press club speech will come almost exactly a year after he made a similar appearance to announce plans to reallocate stage three tax cuts.

The adjustments were begrudgingly passed through parliament  by both parties – giving the PM a political win in the eyes of many voters.

Mr Albanese is likely hopeful his apprenticeship payments could have a similar effect in the lead-up to this year’s election – the date of which remains in doubt. 

The scheme would form part of Mr Albanese's ambitious plan to build 1.2million new houses over the next five years

The scheme would form part of Mr Albanese’s ambitious plan to build 1.2million new houses over the next five years 

The government has been eager to suggest the solution to the nation’s housing crisis lies in building more homes.

However, the Coalition has suggested they’d tackle the crisis from a different angle.

They have told voters they would allow buyers to dip into their super by at least $50,000 to make deposits on their first homes.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has also said he would cut migration for the sake of housing. 

The federal election must be held on or before May 17. 

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