The Australian Government is undertaking a review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System.

The Incentive System provides financial support to apprentices, trainees and employers working in priority industries. It is intended to encourage people to start an apprenticeship or traineeship and see it through to completion. This is to ensure Australia has workers with the trade and technical skills needed by industry, providing a secure, well-paid work and career advancement.

Apprenticeship completion rates have been in steady decline over several years. The review is looking into how support can best be placed to increase the completion rate.

This background paper summarises the key challenges facing apprenticeships. It is a research document, detailing key evidence and data.

The Provisional Reference List is a bibliography of the reviews, research papers, reports and other resources the review has considered to date.