Apprentices and trainees

Apprenticeships and traineeships are types of formal training arrangements that combine work with study for a qualification in a trade or occupation.

On this page:

Overview

Apprenticeships and traineeships combine:

  • training with a registered training organisation, such as a TAFE or trade school
  • practical work experience
  • on the job training.

The type of qualification and the industry an employee works in will determine if they need to complete an apprenticeship or traineeship.

For more information, watch our apprenticeships and traineeships video.

An employee in training while completing their probationary period is not an apprentice or trainee. Find out more about payment for time spent in training on our, Unpaid work page.

Signing up

An employee can start an apprenticeship or traineeship with their current employer or a new employer.

Apprenticeships and traineeships must be registered with a state or territory training authority. A training contract signed with the employer will outline an employee's rights and obligations.

There are timeframes for registering apprentices and trainees which vary from state to state. The period before the registration date can sometimes count towards the apprenticeship or traineeship.

For further information, refer to the relevant state and territory training authorities.

Types of employment

Generally, state and territory training authorities require apprentices and trainees to be employed full-time or part-time.

High school students can do a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship. This combines work, training and secondary education.

For inquiries about training arrangements, contact the relevant state or territory training authority.

The minimum legal age to start work depends on the state or territory where the work is performed. Find out more at Minimum working age.

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship leads to a trade qualification. Examples include becoming a qualified carpenter or hairdresser.

It often takes 3 to 4 years to complete an apprenticeship full-time.

Some apprentices can be employed part-time. Learn more in our Library article - Part-time apprenticeships.

An employee who starts their apprenticeship when they are 21 years old or older is known as an adult apprentice.

Example: Adult apprentice

Terry is 22 years old and wanting to work in the vehicle repair industry. Terry’s local car dealership have agreed to hire him as an apprentice so that he can become a trade qualified mechanic.

Terry will be covered by the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award. Since he’s over 21 when starting the apprenticeship, he’ll be paid as an adult apprentice.

Learn more about apprentice pay rates and other apprentice entitlements by using our industry filter.

Traineeships

A traineeship leads to a certificate level qualification in a particular industry or occupation, such as information technology or office administration.

It often takes 1 to 2 years to complete a traineeship full-time.

Learn more about trainee pay rates and other trainee entitlements by using our industry filter.

Ending apprenticeships and traineeships

Discuss employment period before training starts

Discussing terms of employment early can help set clear expectations for both employers and employees and prevent workplace problems from happening.

This includes understanding whether employment is ongoing or is for a set period, such as the duration of a training contract. This can impact notice of termination requirements.

Both employees and employers are responsible for open and effective communication at and about work. Learn more about good workplace communication practices.

Notice and other requirements

An apprentice or trainee is usually entitled to notice of termination, unless they're:

  • employed for a specified period, such as for the duration of a training contract
  • dismissed for serious misconduct.

An employee may need to give notice if they want to end their employment before finishing their qualification. For more information, visit Resignation and notice.

There may be other things an employee or employer need to consider when an apprenticeship or traineeship ends. These may be contained in the training contract or required by the registered training organisation.

Example: Notice of termination

Jasmine is working for a logistics company as a trainee while she completes a Certificate III in Business Administration.

Jasmine’s contract says she will be employed for 2 years while completing the traineeship.

At the end of Jasmine’s 2 year traineeship, her employment ends with no notice given.

As it was in Jasmine’s contract that she would be employed for a set period of time, her employer was not required to provide notice.

Training authorities in your state or territory

For more information on apprenticeships and traineeships, visit Australian Apprenticeships or call them on 13 38 73.

The relevant state and territory training authorities can also help:

Tools and resources

Related information