South Australian apprentices and trainees who travel long distances to undertake their studies will save more on travel and accommodation from 1 July 2026, removing barriers to completing their apprenticeship and significantly easing pressure on employers covering associated costs.
The Albanese and Malinauskas Governments are investing $11 million over two years to boost the Travel and Accommodation Allowance, a part-payment that reduces costs for rural or regional apprentices travelling more than 150 kilometres to attend training.
Travel payments in South Australia will increase by 75 per cent, from 30 cents to 52 cents per kilometre – the equal highest nationally for intrastate travel.
Accommodation payments will increase by 50 per cent to $90 per night intrastate, and 36 per cent to $150 per night interstate – making SA the highest allowance in the country.
Additionally, the number of eligible trips over a year will rise from eight to ten to support more flexible training.
The new measure is expected to boost the uptake of the allowance by 20 per cent, supporting an additional 400 regional apprentices and trainees to undergo their training. Travel and accommodation costs are identified as a key contributor to early attrition of learners, particularly in regional areas.
Increasing the allowance, which all employers can claim, responds to emerging and evolving cost pressures for businesses – improving commencements, retention and completions by regional apprentices and trainees.
Delivered under the National Skills Agreement, this measure is part of a $37 million commitment to improve Vocational Education and Training (VET) completion rates and ensure students have the support they need to succeed in industries critical to the state’s future.
It comes as South Australia continues to make progress in increasing completions, following successful programs being supported by the government including mentoring and wellbeing supports.
Latest NCVER data shows trade occupation completions increased by 17.2 per cent to 3,560 in the year to 31 December 2025, compared to the same period in 2024 – and more than double the national increase of 8.1 per cent.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
“After a decade of Coalition neglect of Australia’s TAFE and training system, the Albanese Government worked with the states and territories to deliver the National Skills Agreement – a landmark $30 billion agreement to ensure we work together to set our country’s skills up for the future.
“Today’s announcement is that work in action – backing South Australian apprentices and their employers to play their part in the jobs local communities rely on every day, and breaking down the barriers that may hold regional South Australians back from starting and finishing their apprenticeship.
“We know that apprentices in regional communities face additional challenges to access the training they need. By lifting the rates of travel and accommodation payments our Governments are delivering real support.”
Quotes attributable to Acting South Australian Minister for Education, Training and Skills, Blair Boyer:
“We are making training more accessible and affordable for the apprentices and trainees we need to deliver the state’s major projects.
“Providing direct, practical relief to businesses backing young South Australians will remove barriers for employers, particularly in our regions.
“Lifting the completion rate addresses skill shortages in priority areas and gives students a pathway towards a secure, well-paid job.”
Quotes attributable to Group Training Employment General Manager, Greg Megaw:
“This is a massive win for regional employers and apprentices right across the Limestone Coast. For our team at Group Training Employment, we see firsthand the immense commitment required to train regional youth.
“This extra funding significantly eases the cost of doing business in the South East, giving local employers the confidence to keep investing in the next generation.
“Most importantly, it ensures our apprentices are supported throughout their entire journey, removing the financial stress of travel so they can focus on what matters most – successfully completing their trade.”
