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What is an apprenticeship or traineeship?
An apprenticeship or traineeship is a formal training arrangement between an employer and an employee.
Apprentices and trainees do a combination of work and recognised training to get a qualification, certificate or diploma. An apprenticeship or traineeship can be full-time, part-time or school-based and can be undertaken by anyone of working age.
An employee is classed as an apprentice or trainee if their training is through a registered state or territory training authority or done under a relevant law.
Starting work
If you’re an apprentice or trainee and have been offered a job by an employer, it’s best to get a written letter of offer for your records. This letter of offer should contain things like:
- your employer’s contact details
- the duties you will be expected to carry out at work
- how much you’ll be paid
- your work hours
- your entitlements - like annual leave, sick leave and a tool or uniform allowance.
Make sure you read any document carefully before signing it. Your employer cannot put undue pressure or use undue influence to get you to sign an agreement or agree to certain arrangements. If you’re under the age of 18 you may need a guardian to co-sign the document.
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Working as an apprentice or trainee
When you start your new apprenticeship or traineeship, your employer is responsible for registering you with your State or Territory Training Authority. To find out more about your training obligations talk to your employer or contact your local
Australian Apprenticeships centre.
Your employers will need to pay for you to attend TAFE, but it's your responsibility to enroll yourself.
In order to complete your apprenticeship or traineeship you may have to:
- attend training sessions
- complete assignments and assessments
- maintain a record book or work evidence guide
- follow all instructions given by your employer in the workplace
- follow the training plan to ensure you obtain your qualifications.
Apprentices and trainees are advised to keep a work diary to keep track of their shifts and pay. For each shift, record: the day and date you work; the time you start and finish work; your meal breaks; and the name of your supervisor.
It’s also a good idea to include any time you take off work, like for sick days or annual leave.
Your workplace rights and conditions
Your minimum pay, conditions and entitlements may be set by an:
- award,
- agreement or
- contract of employment.
These are legal documents which set out your employer’s obligations to you and your responsibilities as an employee.
Ask your employer which award or agreement applies to you and your job so you can find out how it affects you.
Pay for apprentices and trainees
Apprentices are usually paid according to how long they've been in the apprenticeship. For example, an apprentice who's in the second year of a four year apprenticeship could get 70 per cent of a trade person's adult wage.
Apprenticeship and traineeship wages may vary depending on the following factors:
- the years of school completed
- the years of training
- the type of apprenticeship/traineeship
- the industry or job
- the award, agreement or contract covering their employment.
An employee must be registered as a trainee to be paid trainee wages. An employee cannot be paid as a trainee just because they are new to a job.
National Employment Standards
From 1 January 2010, employers and employees in the national workplace system are covered by the new National Employment Standards (NES). The NES comprise of 10 minimum employment standards, however, only certain entitlements apply to casual employees.
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Things to be careful of
- Make sure you have a registered training contract as it’s illegal not to register an apprentice or trainee.
- You should be paid for all hours you work, including trial shifts or probation periods, meetings, training and opening and closing the business.
- Check your contract to see if you’re eligible to receive a tool or uniform allowance. If it’s in your contract you should be getting paid for it.
- Money can’t generally be taken out of your pay if customers leave without paying, if the cash registers are short, or if you accidentally break something.
- If you are asked to drive your employer’s car, check whether you will be required to pay for accidents or insurance.
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