- $19.6 million invested for an additional 330 places supported by the GTO Wage Subsidy Program
- Investment in the highly successful program made as part of 2026-27 State Budget
- Supports the Cook Government's jobs, health and housing priorities
The Cook Government is continuing to help build more homes for Western Australians with building and construction businesses that hire apprentices and trainees to be eligible for additional financial support as part of the upcoming State Budget.
The Group Training Organisation (GTO) Wage Subsidy Program, which helps employers cover wages for apprentices and trainees working on government projects and non-government residential projects, will support 330 more workers over the next four years thanks to a $19.6 million investment.
This investment will support 205 places subsidised at a rate of 50 per cent. A further 75 places will be subsidised at a 75 per cent rate, with 50 places for women in electrical trades to also be subsidised at a 75 per cent rate.
Expansion of the GTO Wage Subsidy Program, funded through the Construction Training Fund, brings the State Government's total investment in the program to $154.8 million, supporting 1,330 places for construction apprentices and trainees to date.
It also supports a range of efforts by the Cook Government to build WA's workforce, including the development of the WA Workforce Strategy, as well as funding for fee-free and low-fee TAFE and attraction incentives like Build a Life in WA and the Construction Visa Subsidy Program.
The investment builds on the government's strong economic record, with 375,000 jobs created in WA since Labor came to government in 2017.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"My government is continuing to deliver on our priorities of jobs, health and housing for Western Australians - and that will be reflected in our upcoming Budget.
"Our responsible financial management has kept WA's economy strong and has allowed my government to invest in the GTO Wage Subsidy Program, which will help more small and medium sized businesses hire the apprentices and trainees we need to build more houses and hospitals.
"Importantly, this incentive will help even more people earn while they learn - so we can build a pipeline of building and construction workers for many years to come.
"This extension will help us deliver for Western Australians and keep WA strong."
As stated by Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"This investment will help build a pipeline of skilled construction workers who can build more houses and hospitals.
"It builds on initiatives like fee-free and low-fee TAFE which are making training more affordable and accessible for all Western Australians."
