Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) Share this | Hansard source

In particular, as a result of COVID-19, because we do know that apprentices and trainees are affected when there is a downturn in the economy, this government have put in place a $2.8 billion supporting apprentices and trainees wage subsidy. We're extending the subsidy to apprentices employed by medium businesses. Initially it was focused on small businesses, but we are now extending it to medium businesses in Australia. The extended wage subsidy will now support around 90,000 businesses, employing around 180,000 apprentices. In fact, as at 21 August the program has supported around 50,700 businesses to retain over 88,000 apprentices. This is despite the impact that COVID-19 is having on the economy. In fact, Senator O'Sullivan, in the state of Western Australia 6,227 apprentices and trainees are currently being supported by the $2.8 billion wage subsidy that we put in place.