More than $500 million over two years will be spent on extending the federal government's JobTrainer program through the federal budget released on Tuesday.

Around 163,000 places including 33,800 in aged care and 10,000 in digital skills are expected to be delivered through the expansion.

Eligibility for the program will now include selected industries under ongoing pressure from the coronavirus pandemic.

"We need to equip Australians with the skills they need to get a job today and tomorrow," Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told parliament.

States and territories will be required to match the funding, which has been allocated after a hiring credit scheme for people under 35 massively underperformed.

The JobMaker program, which was a cornerstone of last year's budget, supported just 1100 of the 450,000 jobs it promised.

Wage subsidies for apprentices will also receive a boost with the government providing more than $2.7 billion over three years.

Employers of apprentices or trainees who started work between October 5 last year and March 31 next year will qualify for the scheme.

Businesses will be reimbursed up to 50 per cent of wages up to $7000 a quarter for a year.

Extra support will also be given to female apprentices looking to work in traditionally male-dominated industries.

Almost $200 million will be spent on intensive short courses for people unemployed for more than six months, with some required to participate in work for the dole.

An additional 2700 places in Indigenous girls academies will also be provided to support graduation from year 12.

Australian Associated Press