Applications are submitted through SmartyGrants at: https://olg.smartygrants.com.au/Fresh-Start-Program-Round2

All NSW local councils, county councils and joint organisations are eligible to apply for the funding. Applicants that were successful in Round 1 and 2 may also apply for funding in Round 3.

Councils will be notified when round 3 applications open in July 2025.

Apprentices, trainees and cadets funded by the program can only be employed by one organisation.

Eligible organisations can choose to transfer a recruit to another eligible organisation where there is mutual agreement to do so. More information on transfers can be found in the grant guidelines.

The grant funding covers 100 per cent of the rate of pay for a new apprentice, trainee or cadet, applicable under clause 32C of the Local Government (State) Award 2023 (Clause 7 Rates of Pay – Table 1 of Part B) and an additional 15 per cent to support council with the funding of on-costs associated with the recruit’s employment.

No, program funding is solely to pay the trainee, apprentice or cadet’s wage and 15 per cent of on-costs. The on-costs include the minimum superannuation guarantee and any increase in workers compensation costs as a result of employing the new recruit.

The apprentices, trainees and cadets funded by the program must be directly employed by the organisation receiving the grant funding.

Organisations may use Group Training Organisations (GTO) to assist in their recruitment of new staff but cannot use funding from the program to meet the costs of the GTO.

There is no limit to how many positions councils apply for in any funding road.

Yes, roles for school-based trainees can be funded by the program.

The duration of funding will vary depending on the type of role, apprenticeship, traineeship or cadetship.

Funding is provided for the nominal term of the apprenticeship, traineeship or cadetship as prescribed in the Funding Deed between the Office of Local Government and the successful applicant organisation.

Cadetships can be part-time or full-time.

University fees are not covered under the program funding.

Councils are encouraged to make use of the Training Plan Template for Cadetships Only available on OLG’s Council Portal.

A council is required to engage an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider to help with the preparation and registration and the completion of a Training Contract. This is a free service. For an apprenticeship or traineeship to be legal in NSW, the employer and apprentice/trainee must sign a Training Contract and have it approved by Training Services.

Apprentices and trainees can be new or those who have completed 50% or less of the nominal duration of their apprenticeship or traineeship and are not currently employed by the organisation as an apprentice or trainee.

Funding is linked to the individual new recruit, not the position. If the recruit discontinues their training the funding will cease.

Organisations are strongly encouraged to identify subsidised training providers available on the Smart and Skilled Provider List. These are Registered Training Organisations (RTO) that deliver NSW Government subsidised training for the 2025-2026 period. Should a council decide to engage a non-Smart and Skilled provider there may be costs associated to training delivery.

Funding is for the nominal training term of the apprenticeship or traineeship and 2 years for cadetships.

Any amendment to the Approved Training Contract and Approved Training Plan would need to be resubmitted to OLG for re-approval within 5 Business Days of the amendment date and further approvals would be required from Training Services.

Reporting will be via SmartyGrants and will involve administrative reporting and acquittal throughout the funding term. Details are provided in the Funding Agreement.

The first payment will be an advance of six months wages, made after Council submits an approved Training Contract and Letter for each recruit.  Further payments will be made quarterly in arrears on submission of quarterly reporting.

Councils can apply to OLG to temporarily suspend the provision of training to a funded employee for a period of time.  OLG must be notified of this in the next reporting period of the suspension occurring.

Funding is linked to the individual new recruit, not the position.  If an individual does not continue the program, the funding for the position will end.  Council may apply to recruit the same position in the next round of funding.

The program will run over six years and further rounds of grant funding are planned.

Example of the Approved Training Contract Letter (also referred to as the Training Services Establishment Letter) that must be submitted by council to OLG for each position through the Commencement Form in SmartyGrants.

• Establishment Letter – Redacted – doc