Jewellery Apprentices Now Eligible for Major Financial Support

If you’ve been thinking about starting a career in jewellery manufacturing, design, or repairs, there’s never been a better time to step into the trade.

Thanks to strong advocacy from Australia’s leading jewellery buying groups — Nationwide Jewellers, Showcase Jewellers, and the Independent Jewellers Collective — jewellery apprentices are now recognised in key national skills priority programs. This recognition unlocks significant financial support designed to make training more accessible and affordable.

A Trade in Demand

Jewellery businesses across Australia are experiencing growing demand for custom-made pieces, remodelling, and repair work. At the same time, many experienced jewellers are nearing retirement, creating a clear need for the next generation of skilled craftspeople.

To address this skills gap, industry groups worked with government departments to demonstrate the urgent need for trained jewellers. As a result, jewellery qualifications have been included on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List.

What This Means for You

If you enrol in one of the following qualifications, you may be eligible for government financial support while you train:
• Certificate III in Jewellery Manufacture
• Certificate IV in Advanced Jewellery Manufacture
• Diploma of Jewellery and Object Design
• Advanced Diploma of Jewellery and Object Design

These qualifications now fall under Australia’s priority occupations, meaning apprentices can access extra funding and support.

Financial Support Available

Starting an apprenticeship is an investment in your future, and new financial assistance programs are designed to ease the pressure while you learn.

Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan (AASL)
Eligible apprentices can access an interest-free loan of up to $25,983. This loan is paid monthly to help cover day-to-day living costs while you train. Repayments don’t begin until your income exceeds the repayment threshold (currently $67,000).

Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment
You may receive up to $2,500 in additional support, paid in instalments early in your training to help with cost-of-living expenses.

Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA)
If you need to move away from home to take up your apprenticeship, you could qualify for a weekly tax-free allowance to help cover living costs.

Centrelink Support
Depending on your age and circumstances, you may also be eligible for:
• Youth Allowance (for apprentices aged 24 or younger)
• Austudy (for apprentices aged 25 and over)

A Career With Real Opportunity

Jewellery apprenticeships offer a pathway into a creative, hands-on trade where technical skill meets artistry. Qualified jewellers work across:
• Custom design and manufacturing
• Diamond setting
• Repairs and restorations
• CAD and modern jewellery technologies
• Luxury and independent retail workshops

As demand for personalised jewellery grows, skilled jewellers are highly valued across the industry.

More Progress on the Horizon

Industry groups are continuing to work with government to expand opportunities further — including improving access to skilled migration pathways to support businesses facing workforce shortages. If you’re creative, detail-oriented, and interested in a career where you can build something lasting with your hands, jewellery manufacturing offers both artistic fulfilment and strong career prospects.

With new financial support now available, the barriers to entering the trade have never been lower — and the industry’s need for skilled jewellers has never been greater.