Along with their boundless enthusiasm and the opportunity to create a tailor-made employee who knows your business inside out, hiring a new apprentice or trainee could now make you eligible for up to $8,500 from the Western Australian Government, on top of any Commonwealth funding.

The Jobs and Skills WA Employer Incentive is about future-proofing small to medium businesses while building the next generation of skilled workers.

And depending on a few different factors, you could be entitled to even more.

For example, you’ll get an extra 20% if your new apprentice or trainee lives and works in the top end of WA. You’ll also get additional funding for recruits who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, have a disability or are aged between 21 and 30.

The incentive is helping grow WA businesses to create 150,000 extra jobs by 2023-24. To find out more, visit jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/employerincentive.