Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans Act 2014
No. 81, 2014
Compilation No. 10
Compilation date: 3 August 2025
Includes amendments: Act No. 30, 2025
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans Act 2014 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 3 August 2025 (the compilation date).
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au).
Application, saving and transitional provisions
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Editorial changes
For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.
Presentational changes
The Legislation Act 2003 provides for First Parliamentary Counsel to make presentational changes to a compilation. Presentational changes are applied to give a more consistent look and feel to legislation published on the Register, and enable the user to more easily navigate those documents.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. Any modifications affecting the law are accessible on the Register.
Self‑repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
Contents
Chapter 1—Introduction
Part 1.1—Preliminary
1 Short title
2 Commencement
3 Simplified outline of this Act
Part 1.2—Interpretation
4 Simplified outline of this Part
5 Definitions
6 When Australian apprenticeship support loan is being paid to a person
Chapter 2—Loan payments
Part 2.1—Qualification and payability
7 Simplified outline of this Part
8 Qualification
9 Lifetime limit
10 Payability
11 Special case qualification and payability
Part 2.2—Machinery provisions for payments
Division 1—Simplified outline of this Part
12 Simplified outline of this Part
Division 2—Applications
13 Application
14 Withdrawal of application
Division 3—Determinations
15 Determination of application
16 Grant of application
17 Deemed refusal of application
18 Variation of rate
19 Cancellation
20 Date of effect of determinations
21 When determination ceases to be in effect
Division 4—Payment
22 Payment by instalments
23 Amount of instalment
24 Yearly rate of Australian apprenticeship support loan
25 Payment into bank account
Chapter 3—Loan repayments
Part 3.1—Incurring debts
Division 1—Simplified outline of this Part
26 Simplified outline of this Part
Division 2—AASL debts
27 AASL debts
27A Reduction in AASL debts incurred between 1 January and 1 June 2025
28 AASL…
Overview
The Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans Act 2014 was enacted to address the need for financial support for apprentices undertaking certain kinds of apprenticeships. This Act provides for income-contingent loans to eligible apprentices, ensuring they receive financial assistance during their training period, which is then repaid through the tax system once their income reaches a certain threshold. The Act was passed by the Australian Parliament and received Royal Assent on 17 July 2014, with provisions commencing on the same date for some sections and on 18 July 2014 for others. The primary policy objective of this Act is to support apprenticeships by offering financial assistance to eligible apprentices, thereby encouraging vocational education and training and contributing to workforce development.
Scope and Application
The Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans Act 2014 governs the provision of Australian apprenticeship support loans for eligible apprentices. This Act applies to Australian residents who are undertaking qualifying apprenticeships, which are apprenticeships that lead to occupations or qualifications specified on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. The loans are income-contingent and are to be repaid through the tax system once the recipient’s income exceeds a certain threshold. The Act sets a lifetime limit of $20,000 for the total amount of Australian apprenticeship support loans a person can receive. Payments are made in instalments, with the amount of each instalment determined by the duration of the instalment period and the yearly rate of the loan. The Act also details the process for loan applications, determinations, and payments, including the mechanisms for varying rates, cancelling loans, and dealing with overpayment debts. Additionally, the Act outlines the responsibilities of the Secretary and the Commissioner of Taxation in administering the loans, including information management, tax file number verification, and the application of taxation law provisions to loan repayments. The Act allows for the review of decisions made under it and provides for the recovery of overpayment debts through legal proceedings or payment arrangements. Subordinate instruments may extend or restrict the application of the Act.
Key Provisions
- The Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans Act 2014 (AASL Act) provides for the provision of Australian apprenticeship support loans to eligible apprentices. The Act outlines the main operative sections and requirements for qualification, payability, and repayment of these loans. To qualify for an Australian apprenticeship support loan, an individual must be an Australian resident, undertaking a qualifying apprenticeship, and meet any other conditions prescribed by the rules. A qualifying apprenticeship is one that leads to an occupation or qualification specified on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. The lifetime limit for Australian apprenticeship support loans is $20,000, which is indexed annually. Payments are made in instalments and are contingent on the individual meeting the requirements at the end of each instalment period. Once an individual's income exceeds the minimum repayment income under the Higher Education Support Act 2003, they must begin repaying their Australian apprenticeship support loan debt through the tax system. The Act imposes several obligations on the parties it governs, including the requirement for individuals to notify the Secretary of their tax file number and to inform the Secretary of any events or changes of circumstance that might affect their eligibility for the loan. The Secretary can require individuals to provide information and documents relevant to their application and repayment of the loan. The Act also outlines the penalties and consequences for breach, including imprisonment for up to 12 months for failure to comply with certain information-gathering requirements. Additionally, there are provisions for the review of decisions made under the Act, both internally and by the Administrative Review Tribunal.
- Area of Law
- Education Law
- Taxation Law
- Instrument
- Act
- Concepts
- Definitions & Interpretation
- Commencement Provisions
- Regulatory Standards
- Offence Provisions
- Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
- Review & Sunset Clauses
- Enforcement Powers
