What counts towards Training Benchmark B?

What kind of training can an employer count towards Training Benchmark B?

Employers can count training that is formal, structured and conducted for Australian citizens and permanent residents towards meeting the benchmark. The training must also be independently verifiable, meaning that the employer must be able to show evidence that the training has occurred.

Below are some common types of employee training and current policy commentary:

On-the-job training Only if it the training is structured, in that it has a timeframe, involves increases in the employee’s skills at each stage, uses qualified trainers to develop the program and where employee progress is monitored and assessed.
Apprentices’ and trainees’ salaries Yes – as apprenticeships and traineeships are training positions, the full salary paid can be counted towards the benchmark.
Graduates’ salaries No – graduate positions are not considered training positions. However, any expenditure used for formal training of the graduate may be counted. This includes any expenditure incurred to administer a graduate program.
Employee’s wages while they are attending training No – this does not count as expenditure for the provision of training.
Paying for employees’ formal course of study Yes – if the employees are Australian citizens and permanent residents or TAFE/ University students and if the course of study is approved under the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Employing a trainer Yes – where they train the businesses’ Australian employees as a key part of their job.
Using external providers to provide employee training Yes – if the training is delivered to Australian employees.

What kinds of training will not be included in Training Benchmark B?

It appears that the following types of training are unlikely to count towards Benchmark B:

  • Training that is delivered on-the-job in an unstructured manner
  • Training that relates to only one or a few aspects of the business’s broader operations
  • Training undertaken only by persons who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents
  • Training only undertaken by the business owner(s) or their family members
  • Training that relates to a very low skill level (having regard to the characteristic and size of the business)
  • Whether an employer meets the training benchmarks will depend on their individual facts and circumstances.