Apprentice pay & allowances

Under the Vehicle Award, an apprentice’s rate of pay increases as they progress through their apprenticeship.

Their progress through the apprenticeship can be based on either:

• the competencies they have completed
• an agreed training plan
• the length of time they have been an apprentice.

Junior apprentices in the repair, service & retail stream receive a percentage of the Level R6 rate in the Vehicle Award. Apprentices in the manufacturing stream receive a percentage of the Level V5 rate. There are different rates for adult apprentices and higher engineering apprentices. For more detail see Part 8 of the Award.

You can use PayCheck Plus to calculate rates of pay for your apprentices.

Allowances for apprentices

Apprentices are entitled to the same allowances as your other employees. Apprentices must be paid the full amount of all allowances except the tool allowance - the tool allowance for apprentices is in clause 19.4 of the Vehicle Award.

For more information, see the Allowances section.

Payment for fees

Apprentices may be required to attend technical college or schooling as a part of their apprenticeship. Any training fees that the apprentice has paid must be reimbursed when the apprentice provides you with a report of satisfactory conduct from the technical college or school.

Vehicle industry apprenticeships

Under the Vehicle Award, you can hire apprentices in a wide range of trades. A full list of the available apprenticeships is in clause 15.2 of the Vehicle Award. For more information about the various training schemes Contact the education or training authority in your state.