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How do I sign-up an apprentice/trainee?
Step 1: Contact an Australian Apprenticeships Centre
Prior to entering into an apprenticeship or traineeship with your employee, you should contact an Australian Apprenticeships Centre (AAC).
You can find the nearest AAC at 
Australian Apprenticeships or by calling 13 38 73.
AACs offer information and advice on apprenticeships and traineeships, and can assist you to choose the right training scheme for you and your employee. AACs can provide assistance with any queries and information you may have including information about the required paperwork and may assist with disputes that arise between you and your trainee/apprentice. AACs also administer all Australian Government incentive payments.
For information on apprenticeships and traineeships in the retail industry see:
Step 2: Contact a Registered Training Organisation
Registered training organisation’s (RTO) can assist you with preparing and delivering a training plan. RTOs provide training that is nationally recognised and range from privately run companies to industry and professional associations.
The RTO will provide you with assistance on a range of matters such as:
- advising and supporting apprentices/trainees on their training plan
- assess your apprentice/trainee’s achievement of skills, and
- issue a qualification on successful completion of the training.
You may choose from a range of RTOs by contacting the training authority in your state, or by asking your AAC for assistance.
Step 3: Fill in the required paperwork
Your AAC will assist you with filling in and lodging the required paperwork, including the training contract.
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Example
Mark is the owner of a small butcher shop and is looking to sign up one of his employees, Rob, to do an apprenticeship in Meat Retailing.
Mark contacts the Australian Apprenticeship Centre (ACC) for more information. Mark and Rob attend a meeting at the ACC and discuss the relevant training scheme for Rob. Rob states that he would eventually like to be a qualified butcher. Rob is advised to undertake a Certificate III in Meat Processing (Meat Retailing) which will go for 48 months as a full-time apprentice.
Mark then attends a local registered training organisation which assists him with outlining a training plan for Rob. The plan includes information on hours spent at trade school and length of the apprenticeship.
Mark and Rob then enter into a training contract which they read and sign after a few days to think about it.
During his apprenticeship Rob is entitled to receive the relevant minimum wage for an apprentice (including during the time he attends trade school), as well as annual leave and personal leave. |
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Part-time apprenticeship/traineeship
Apprenticeships and traineeships may also be undertaken on a part-time basis. You and your employee need to agree on a period of time for the training contract to best meet both of your needs.
What is a school-based apprenticeship/traineeship?
A school-based apprenticeship/traineeship can be started while your employee is still at high school, generally while they are completing year 11 or 12. The school-based arrangement allows your employees to stay in high school and train towards a recognised qualification at the same time.
Important! You must seek permission and support from the apprentice/trainee’s school prior to starting a formal school-based apprenticeship or traineeship.
How often does my apprentice attend trade school?
Attendance at the RTO is compulsory and your apprentice should generally attend trade school at least once a week. In some instances, apprentices may attend blocks of training where the apprentice attends trade school for a full week. The frequency should be agreed between you and your employee, depending on the business and qualification requirements and the provisions of the relevant award. Attendance at trade school is paid time and unauthorised absences from trade school will generally mean that you do not need to pay them (unless they take personal leave for illness or injury and follow the normal processes for doing this.
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What entitlements do my trainees get during an apprenticeship / traineeship?
Apprentices and trainees get the same minimum terms and conditions as other employees, such as annual leave, personal leave and public holidays. For information about what you should pay your trainee or apprentice contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.
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, and
- the industry or job.
How long does an apprenticeship / traineeship usually take?
Apprenticeships are usually undertaken over a period of 3 to 4 years depending on the trade. If your employee has completed a pre-apprenticeship course they are usually eligible to have time credited toward their apprenticeship. You should contact your local training body for further information about pre-apprenticeships (contact details are listed at the end of this guide).
The length of a traineeship depends on whether it is undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis. It also depends on which training scheme is undertaken. For example, a Certificate II generally takes 12 months to be completed if undertaken full-time, and 24 months if undertaken part-time.
Important! Your employee may complete an apprenticeship or traineeship earlier than the specified duration if all competencies and course requirements have been met. You and your employee may mutually agree to an extension to the maximum duration if all requirements haven’t been met. You should contact your relevant training body for more information.
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What happens upon completion of an apprenticeship / traineeship?
When all the competencies and requirements of the specific apprenticeship or traineeship are achieved, your apprentice or trainee may complete their apprenticeship or traineeship. You should contact the relevant training body in your state or territory for further information.
Ongoing employment after the completion of an apprenticeship or traineeship is not necessarily guaranteed, however it may be included as a term in the training contract.
When the apprenticeship or traineeship has been completed, wage entitlements will change to the appropriate classification based on your employees age, duties and qualifications. You can access PayCheck to assist you with determining the appropriate minimum wage.
Contact details for all state and territory training bodies
Australian Apprenticeship Centres
Phone: 13 38 73
Skills Victoria
Phone: 03 9651 9999
Department of Education and Training - QLD
Phone: 1800 210 210
NSW Department of Education and Training- State Training Services
Phone: 13 28 11
Skills Tasmania
Phone: 1800 655 846
Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology Traineeship and Apprenticeships Services - SA
Phone: 1800 673 097
Department of Education and Training - Training of Higher Education - NT
Phone: 08 8901 1357
ACT Department of Education and Training- Training and Adult Education Branch
Phone: 02 6205 8555
Department of Training and Workforce Development – WA
Phone: 13 19 54
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