What is a Trade Support Loan?
The Trade Support Loan is intended to assist with the cost of living, learning and completing an apprenticeship by reducing the financial burden and allowing you to focus on your work and training. As with normal loans, it must be paid back. However, repayments aren’t mandatory until you start earning above the Repayment Threshold ($46,620).
Am I eligible?
The Trade Support Loan is available to Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship in:
- Certificate 3 or 4 qualification that leads to an occupation on the National Skills Needs List (Appendix B) and to a qualification on the Trade Support Loans Qualifications List; or
- Certificate 2 – 4 Agriculture qualification on the Trade Support Loans Qualifications List; or
- Certificate 2 – 4 Horticulture qualification on the Trade Support Loans Qualifications List with a workplace postcode on the Rural & Regional Postcode List (Appendix D).
How do I apply?
In addition to submitting an Application Form (available from MAS National), we require at least 2 of the following documents (1 from Group A & 1 from Group B):
GROUP A:
- Australian Birth Certificate,
- Australian Passport (can be expired but was current within past 2 years),
- Current Permanent Visa,
- Certificate of Citizenship, or
- Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) statement/results
- Letter from Authorised Referee for Indigenous apprentices without Birth Certificates
GROUP B:
- Passport (any country)
- Drivers Licence;
- Proof of Age Card; or
- Similar ID that meets the requirements below:
DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR GROUP A &/or GROUP B:
- Each document must show at least your first and last name.
- At least one document should include a photo of you.
- At least one document must show your current residential address.
- At least one document must show your citizenship status/visa status.
- An additional (3rd document) can be provided if unsure if documents meet requirements (eg. Electricity Bill or Rental Contract).
If lodging via mail:
You will need to send to MAS:
- The Trade Support Loan Application Form; &
- Legible photocopies of the evidence documents.
Post to either:
- MAS National, P.O. Box 2153, Preston, VIC, 3072; or
- MAS National, P.O. Box 643, Mackay, QLD, 4740
If lodging in person with MAS:
You will need to have the original Application Form and evidence with you when they meet with MAS.
Apprentices can only submit TSL Applications…with evidence.
Rate increases:
The Lifetime Limit, Yearly Rate and Instalment Rate increase each year in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
(E.g. If a 1st Year apprentice was receiving $702.62 in June 2020, their next payment in July will automatically increase to $718.07.)
| Financial Year of Payment | 2019 – 2020 | 2020 – 2021 | |||||||
| Lifetime Limit: | $21,078 | $21,542 | |||||||
| Yearly Rate | Instalment Rate | Yearly Rate | Instalment Rate | ||||||
| 1st Year Rate | $8431.00 | $702.62 | $8617.00 | $718.07 | |||||
| 2nd Year Rate | $6324.00 | $526.96 | $6463.00 | $538.56 | |||||
| 3rd Year Rate | $4216.00 | $351.31 | $4308.00 | $359.04 | |||||
| 4th Year Rate | $2108.00 | $175.65 | $2154.00 | $179.52 | |||||