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An apprenticeship is a formal training program where you will combine study, usually at TAFE, while actually working in your chosen field – so you can earn as you learn, and get real world training.
An apprenticeship is usually three to four years, and you’ll graduate as a qualified tradesperson.
Common apprenticeships include:
An apprenticeship can be full-time, part-time or school-based. You are required to find your own apprenticeship, and once you do, you and your employer must register the apprenticeship with Training Services NSW.
Check out more info on apprenticeships here. The NSW Government has also put together a handy guide on starting an apprenticeship here.
There are two types of apprenticeships available in NSW:
School-based Part Time Apprenticeship
A school-based apprenticeship is when you work part time and do your apprenticeship training while still in school. This training can be counted as part of your HSC and ATAR score. If you complete both the formal and the on-the-job training whilst still at school, you will be able to be a full-time 2nd or 3rd year apprentice after you finish your HSC. You would need to complete between 100 and 180 days training each year, depending on your industry. Students in grade 10,11 and 12 can do a school based apprenticeship.
For more information, please visit here.
Australian Apprenticeship
An Australian Apprenticeship is for both school leavers and senior high school students. Australian apprentices must go through the Australian Apprenticeship Centre to commence the apprenticeship process – from here, you will be directed to contact an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) to organise your apprenticeship.
The apprenticeship can be undertaken on a full time or part time basis and a minimum of 15 hours of combined work and training must be completed each week. It has basically the same features as the regular school-based apprenticeship program, only organised at a national rather than state level.
You can find more information here.
To begin an apprenticeship, you must at least have completed year 10 or be 17 years old, whichever happens first.
You can even start an apprenticeship even while you are still at school. This means you can do years 10, 11 and 12 while doing your apprenticeship part time.
For some occupations, a minimum age is required due to the risk to health, safety or morals for minors for this special kind of work. For example, you need to be 16 to work with dangerous equipment and 18 to work in areas that serve alcohol.
When you start an apprenticeship, you and your employer need to sign a training contract which sets out all the details of your apprenticeship, roles and responsibilities.
The NSW Department of Education has put together a handy timeline for starting your apprenticeship, including the registration process, which can be found here.
TAFE NSW has put together a guide on school based apprenticeships which can be found here.
Most apprentices in NSW are undertaken through TAFE NSW, although some can be done through other Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). This means the study or coursework part is done through TAFE, and you do the on the job training with your employer. Before you enrol, you need to have already found an employer willing to take you on as an apprentice, who must provide a letter of support to TAFE.
Most apprenticeships involve attending TAFE one day a week, and working the remaining 4 days, however this will vary if you’re completing your apprenticeship part time.
For more information on what courses you can do at TAFE as part of apprenticeship, visit ‘I am interested in an Apprenticeship or Traineeship’ from TAFE NSW.
If you are an apprentice, your employer must pay you for all your time spent working for your employer, and for all your time spent at trade school, e.g., TAFE, which is usually one day a week. This means that for full time apprenticeships, you will be paid for full time work (e.g., 5 days a week), at apprentice rates.
The rate you get will depend on what industry you work in, as well as whether your employment is covered by a modern award, or an enterprise agreement.
Depending on your Award or Enterprise Agreement, there may be other allowances that you are entitled to receive, including payments for books and other training materials.
Spotlight on apprentices in the building industryHow much should I be paid? Your employer must pay you for all your time spent working for your employer, and for all your time spent at trade school, known as a ‘Registered Training Organisation’ (RTO), which is usually one day a week. This means that full time apprentices should be paid at apprentice rates, for full time work. See the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool, making sure to select ‘Apprentice’ to see your pay rates.
Can I be asked to work overtime or shiftwork? You can only work overtime or shiftwork if you are supervised. You also cannot be required to work overtime or shiftwork if it will prevent you from attending trade school (like TAFE), unless there is an emergency. If you work overtime or shiftwork, you are entitled to any penalties and allowances based on your ordinary hourly rate. If you are under 18, you cannot be required to work overtime, unless you choose to. Will my employer pay for things like tools and TAFE fees? Your employer should reimburse you for: Training costs. This includes all fees charged by your RTO (which may be TAFE for example) and the cost of all prescribed textbooks for your apprenticeship. Your employer should reimburse these costs within 6 months of you starting the apprenticeship, or within 3 months of you starting training at the RTO. Excess reasonable travel costs to block release training. Your RTO may require you to attend ‘block release training’, which is a period of condensed off-site training that requires you to attend trade school or TAFE for several days or weeks in a row. If you need to travel to attend this training, your employer should reimburse any accommodation costs and reasonable expenses (e.g., meals) you incur while travelling. Costs of specialist tools or protective equipment that is not provided to you by your employer. Apprentices are also entitled to the same type of allowances as other employees. The allowances are paid at a lower rate than other employees, depending on their progression in the apprenticeship.
Am I entitled to any leave? Apprentices are entitled to the same leave entitlements as other employees, including annual leave, personal and carer’s leave, parental leave, community service leave, family and domestic violence leave. If apprentices take absences for reasons other than paid leave or leave without pay, they need to work an additional day for each day of absence. |
Just because you’re an apprentice, it doesn’t mean your boss or work mates can treat you badly. Employers have a legal duty to ensure the safety of all workers. This includes protecting workers from bullying, harassment (including sexual harassment), and discrimination.
As an apprentice, you have the same legal protections as any other employee. If you are being bullied or discriminated against at work, please check out our pages on Workplace bullying and harassment, and Discrimination in the workplace for more information.
Apprenticeships Support Australia has put together a free guide on bullying in the workplace for apprentices, called Heads Up.
You can also contact us here if something is going on and you would like advice on your options.
Sometimes things might go wrong with your apprenticeship, for example:
The NSW Department of Education has set out the options for dealing with problems in your apprenticeship here.
For help, you can contact:
Your union
If you are a member of a union, you can talk to your representative or a union official about what’s going on. They will be able to tell you how they can help, and guide you through the process. Click here if you are unsure which union you can join.
National Training Complaints Hotline
The Australian Government has established the National Training Complaints Hotline, which is a portal to make your complaint. The Hotline can refer your complaint to the most appropriate authority to have your complaint considered. You can make your complaint at National Training Complaints Hotline.
Australian Skills Quality Authority
You can contact the Australian Skills Quality Authority if you are having problems with your vocational training. They are responsible for putting together the courses and training courses that you undertake.
To make a complaint, you will need to fill out a complaint form about an RTO. You can do that by calling them on 1300 701 801 or emailing them at [email protected]. You can also visit their website here here.
Australian Apprenticeship Centres
Australian Apprenticeship Centres in each State and Territory can provide further information on Australian Apprenticeships. You can call them on 13 38 73 or visit their website here.
Fair Work Ombudsman
You can contact the FWO for assistance with information about apprenticeships and help with workplace entitlements for all states and territories, by phoning 13 13 94 or visiting FWO – help for apprentices and trainees.
Training Services NSW
Training Services NSW can provide advice and assistance to apprentices. You can call them on (02) 9338 6600 or visit their website here. You can also fill out their online enquiry form here.
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