Australian Apprenticeships

What is an Australian Apprenticeship?

Australian Apprenticeships include apprenticeships and traineeships and combine time at work with off-the-job training and can be full-time, part-time or school-based.

Australian Apprenticeships lead to a nationally recognised qualification and provide Australian Apprentices with the necessary job experience to pursue the career they want.

Australian Apprenticeships are available in over 500 occupations in an increasing range of industries. Some of the benefits to undertaking an apprenticeship include:

Australian Apprenticeships are ‘competency based’ which means training can be completed as soon as the required skill level in the qualification is reached.

Australian Apprenticeships include traditional trades such as automotive, hairdressing and plumbing, as well as those in newer industries such as information technology, communications and early childhood education and care. The job prospects for qualified people are vast, and the demand for skilled workers continues to increase.

Eligibility

Employee eligibility

To be eligible for an ACT Australian Apprenticeship training contract, you must:

For more information on employee eligibility, please contact the ACT’s Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider, Sarina Russo Apprenticeships.

Employer eligibility

To enter into an ACT Australian Apprenticeship training contract, an employer must also meet several eligibility criteria.

For more information on employer eligibility, please contact the ACT’s Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider, Sarina Russo Apprenticeships.

Costs

Registered training organisations (RTOs) are required to charge participants a fee for administration costs upon enrolment in an Australian Apprenticeship.

RTOs set their own fees for Australian Apprenticeships training, but Skills Canberra requires a minimum fee of $350 to be charged.

For information about fees charged by each RTO for specific qualifications, refer to the ACT Qualifications Register or contact the RTO directly.

Some Australian Apprentices may be eligible to be reimbursed by their employer for any fees paid to participate in training, such as tuition or travel costs. For information, refer to Pay, conditions, workplace rights and obligations.

Finding an employer

An Australian Apprenticeship relies on an Australian Apprenticeship training contract entered into between the Australian Apprentice and their employer. As a result, before you can begin an Australian Apprenticeship, you must find a job as an Australian Apprentice in your industry of choice.

Job search websites are a good place to start. Group Training Organisations can also be approached for assistance, as can employment agencies. You might also consider relying on your network of family and friends in looking for opportunities. Finally, approaching employers directly can show great initiative.

Choosing a training pathway

A training pathway refers to the different ways a person can achieve a qualification. Under an Australian Apprenticeship, these pathways may include:

Employers, Australian Apprentices and Registered Training Organisations identify the most appropriate training path for each Australian Apprentice and this is set out in a training plan.

The type of training plan will depend on factors such as the:

Choosing a qualification

Whether you had a qualification in mind before finding your employer or not, once you have found a job you should settle on your qualification and a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) to deliver your off-the-job training. There is a wealth of resources available to assist you including:

With an employer, a qualification, and an RTO sorted, it will be time to enter into your Australian Apprenticeship training contract. An Apprenticeship Network provider can assist you and your employer to sign this contract.

Australian Apprenticeship Support Network providers

Australian Apprenticeship Support Network providers (AASNs) 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.

AASNs 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, apprentices and trainees can receive assistance from their AASN about the Australian Apprenticeship system.

The ACT has one AASN provider Sarina Russo Apprenticeships.

For more information about AASNs refer to the Australian Apprenticeships Support Network website.

Pay, conditions, workplace rights and obligations

The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) offers employees and employers free information and advice on pay, conditions, and workplace rights and obligations. Fair Work Ombudsman provides the following resources and tools for apprentices and trainees.

Apprentices, trainees and employers are able to contact the Fair Work Ombudsman:

Travelling interstate for your Australian Apprenticeship

A small number of Australian Apprenticeship qualifications are not delivered within the ACT. In these cases, Australian Apprentices must travel interstate to undertake their structured, off-the-job training.

This interstate training is usually delivered in blocks of time and Australian Apprentices’ attendance is referred to as ‘block release’. The qualifications eligible for block release and the RTOs providing the training are identified on the ACT Qualifications Register.

Payment for travel support is made to eligible Australian Apprentices when they return from interstate training. To claim the allowance, the Australian Apprentice must submit a signed and stamped copy of the Application for Interstate Training Travel Support (DOC 62KB) or (PDF 163KB).

It is in the Australian Apprentice’s interests to submit each individual claim form to skills@act.gov.au as soon as they complete and return from each interstate trip. Payments will only be made for claims received by Skills Canberra within 3 months of the block training.

When the interstate training is completed, ensure the RTO has provided you with a supporting statement of the:

Any enquiries about interstate travel support should be directed to Skills Canberra via email skills@act.gov.au or phone (02) 6205 8555.