Employing an Apprentice or Trainee

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:

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:

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:

Apprenticeship Network Providers

Apprenticeship Network providers (ANPs) are contracted by the Australian Government to provide one-stop shops for people wanting to take up an Australian Apprenticeship career path and for employers seeking to hire Australian Apprentices.

ANPs have targeted services that provide advice and support to Australian Apprentices and employers who need additional assistance prior to contract sign-up and during training. Employers, schools, Registered Training Organisations, Australian Apprentices and trainees can receive assistance from their ANP about the Australian Apprenticeship system.

As at 1 February 2020, the ACT has one provider that exclusively services Australian Apprentices and employers. The provider is Sarina Russo Apprenticeships.

For more information about ANPs refer to the Australian Apprenticeships website.