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What are apprenticeships and traineeships?

Apprenticeships and traineeships are formal on-the-job training arrangements between an employer and an employee. Apprenticeships or traineeships can lead to a nationally recognised qualification.

There are many different types of people who become apprentices or trainees, including:

  • school-leavers
  • people re-entering the workforce
  • adults who have decided to change their career.

Apprentices and trainees can:

  • be full-time, part-time or school based
  • choose from over 500 different jobs in 50 industries.

You may see the term Australian Apprentice used. This term includes both apprenticeships and traineeships.

Apprentices

An apprenticeship takes 1 to 4 years to complete.

Apprentices develop a trade, such as hairdressing, plumbing or cabinetmaking.

When they complete their apprenticeship, they become a qualified tradesperson.

Trainees

A traineeship takes 1 to 2 years to complete.

Trainees develop skills in jobs such as office administration, hospitality and information technology.

When a trainee completes their traineeship, they receive a minimum of a Certificate 2 in their chosen work.

Generally, anyone old enough to work can be an apprentice or trainee. They don’t need a secondary school certificate or any other qualification. Check your state or territory’s minimum working age regulations. The Fair Work Ombudsman website has links to the relevant state and territory information.

Financial support for employers

Your business may qualify for financial support if you hire an apprentice or trainee.

Read more about the financial support on offer at Australian Apprenticeships. You can also use their Incentive Explorer to see what you can claim.

1. Understand your obligations

Taking on an apprentice or trainee is a paid employment arrangement.

Wages

Find information on the Fair Work Ombudsman website about: 

Use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay and conditions tool to calculate the minimum pay rates, allowances and penalty rates for both apprentices and trainees.

Employment conditions

The employment conditions for apprentices and trainees are the same as for other employees in the same occupation. These conditions can include:

  • overtime
  • holidays
  • personal leave
  • superannuation.

Other working conditions you need to give your apprentice or trainee are:

  • opportunities to learn skills and gain knowledge of their trade or vocation
  • access to structured training
  • paid time off work to attend training as needed
  • a safe working environment.

Find out more about the employment conditions that apply to apprentices and trainees on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

2. Decide what type of person you want

Think about your business needs and why you want an apprentice or trainee, you will need to understand:

  • what skills you need
  • what the job will involve
  • how you will employ this person (full-time or part-time).

3. Find an apprentice or trainee

To find the right person, you can:

Group training

Group training is when a group training organisation (GTO) recruits an apprentice or trainee and places them with ‘host’ employers while they do their training.

The GTO employs the apprentice or trainee and is responsible for their employment benefits like wages, allowances and superannuation. This can be good if you want to employ an apprentice or trainee but can’t manage the administrative side of things.

4. Sign and lodge a training contract and plan

If you have found an apprentice or trainee through a GTO, you don’t need to worry about this step or the following steps. A GTO will manage the process from now on.

If you aren’t using a GTO, once you’ve found a trainee or apprentice, you'll need to:

  • agree on a qualification that will meet the apprentice’s or trainee’s career goals and be suitable for your workplace
  • complete a training contract
  • agree on a registered training organisation (RTO) to deliver the training
  • develop a training plan with the RTO and your apprentice or trainee.

5. Register the apprenticeship or traineeship

Give the completed contract and plan to your local Apprentice Connect Australia Provider. They will lodge them with the relevant state and territory training authorities (STAs) for registration.

Once registration is complete, you and your apprentice or trainee will receive a confirmation letter from the relevant department in your state or territory. The department will oversee the apprenticeship or traineeship during the contract period.

6. Complete the probation period

A probation period lets you and your new apprentice or trainee get a feel for the arrangement and decide whether it should continue.

Probation periods are:

  • generally 30 to 90 days
  • usually built into the training contract
  • separate to any other workplace trial or probationary period.

The contract is binding for both you and your apprentice or trainee when they complete the probation period.

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