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An apprenticeship is a formal training program where you will combine study, usually at TAFE Queensland, 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, the arrangement must be registered with the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training – see ‘Training Agreements’, below.
The QLD Government has also put together a handy guide on starting an apprenticeship here.
There are two types of apprenticeships available in QLD:
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs)
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 Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and/or ATAR score. You would need to complete between 50 to 80 days of training each year, depending on your industry. Most SATs students work for their employer 7.5 hours (one day) per week. To be considered a formal SAT arrangement, your shifts at work must impact your school timetable – i.e., the idea is not to try and fit work around school, but to work during school hours.
If you choose to finish grade 12 and complete your QCE, you can also complete both the formal and the on-the-job training whilst still at school. This means you will be a full-time 2nd or 3rd year apprentice after you finish grade 12.
For more information, please visit this page from the Queensland Government: School-based apprenticeships and traineeships.
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 you are responsible for applying for an apprentice job with an employer, and for enrolling in an approved course. See the federal government website Australian Apprentices for further information.
To begin an apprenticeship, you must be at least 15 years old, for an Australian Apprenticeship and school-based apprenticeships.
You can start an apprenticeship even while you are still at school. This means you can finish years 11 and 12 while you are already at work or you can undertake training or an apprenticeship full time.
There are some apprenticeships that you can’t do until you are over 18 (unless you have completed an appropriate qualification, or you are employed under a registered training contract). For more information on the list of apprenticeships you need special qualifications or a contract for, visit: Restricted Calling.
When you start an apprenticeship, you and your employer need to sign a training contract which needs to be drawn up with the assistance of your Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider. This contract sets out all the details of your apprenticeship, roles and responsibilities. Your AASN will then lodge your contract for you with the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training.
For students undertaking a SAT, you will need to first discuss the contract with your school and have their support before registering the contract. Your AASN can discuss how to do this with you.
The training component for an apprenticeship in QLD is undertaken through TAFE Queensland, or another Supervised Registered Training Organisation (SRTO). This means the study or coursework part is done through TAFE or your SRTO, and you do the on-the-job training with your employer. Before you enrol in a course, you need to have already found an employer willing to take you on as an apprentice.
Most apprenticeships involve attending TAFE one day a week, and working the remaining four days, however this will vary if you’re completing your apprenticeship part time.
For more information on how to find an apprenticeship with an employer, see: Find an apprenticeship or traineeship.
An apprentice must be paid either as a full-time employee or a part-time employee, for all hours spent working and undertaking the approved study component. There is no such thing as a “casual” apprenticeship. However, most apprentices are paid a percentage of the regular full-time rate; for example, a second year hairdressing apprentice must be paid no less than 60% of a fully qualified hairdresser rate.
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.
For more information on wages and entitlements as an apprentice in Queensland, see: Apprentice and trainee wages and entitlements.
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:
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: Trade Unions.
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.8 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.
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.
The Queensland Government also has a page on available support services for apprentices, which you can find here.
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