Australian Apprenticeships combine practical work with structured learning and lead to a nationally recognised qualification. Australian Apprenticeships include both apprenticeships and traineeships and can be full-time, part-time or school-based. Australian Apprenticeships can be undertaken by both new and existing workers.
Australian Apprenticeships also provide a range of benefits for businesses.
Some of the benefits of employing an Australian Apprentice include:
- training to meet your business needs
- training is offered in a range of industries
- training is offered at all certificate levels up to advanced diploma
- there is a flexible choice of registered training organisations which provide off-the-job training with negotiations around timing, location and nature of the training to suit your business needs
- government funding may be available to subsidise the cost of training
- a range of financial incentives for eligible employers
- attainment of nationally recognised qualifications.
Group Training Organisations are able to arrange for you to share an Australian Apprentice with another business if you don't have enough work for an ongoing or full-time position.
You can also engage an Australian Apprentice part-time while they are still at school. For more information about Australian School-based Apprenticeships refer to the Australian Apprenticeships website.
Costs of employing an Australian Apprentice
An Australian Apprentice is generally paid an apprentice or trainee wage under an award because they spend time in training, however, in some cases an Australian Apprentice can be paid above the award wage.
Wages for Australian Apprentices vary based on:
- years of training
- the type of apprenticeship
- the industry or occupation.
Australian Apprentices are generally treated the same as any other employee in terms of superannuation, workers compensation and any other entitlements or requirements.
Depending on the award, employers may also need to reimburse fees paid by the Australian Apprentice to participate in training, such as tuition and travel costs.
Free information and advice on Australian Apprentice pay, conditions, and workplace rights and obligations is available from the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO).
Information on apprentice and trainee pay rates is available on the Apprentice and Trainee pay rates pages on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
To contact the Fair Work Ombudsman:
Apprentice Connect Australia Providers
From 1 July 2024, Australian Apprenticeship Support Network providers (AASNs) transitioned to Apprentice Connect Australia Providers (Providers).
The new Providers are contracted by the Australian Government to deliver support services through the Australian Apprenticeship Service Delivery network. There are two Providers contracted for the ACT region:
The support services include assessment, mentoring and personal support, and engagement and Apprenticeship technical support services delivered by Providers to Australian Apprentices, their employers, and to prospective Australian Apprentices and employers.
These are free services to employers, Australian Apprentices and other interested parties.
More information can be found on the Apprenticeships advice and support page on the Australian Government's Australian Apprenticeships website.
