What are Adult Apprenticeships?

Apprenticeships and Traineeships are not just for youth. Adult apprenticeships can provide many benefits for an apprentice and an employer.

Australian Apprenticeships can be done by anyone of working age with eligibility to work in Australia. There are no specific apprenticeships or traineeships just for adults.

Adult Apprenticeships usually refer to someone over the age of 21 when they start their apprenticeship or traineeship. This relates to things like wages and incentives, not to a specific type of apprenticeship program.

Apprenticeships and traineeships can provide a pathway to a career change, re-entry to the workforce, or can be used as a way to up-skill within your current industry.

Financial information for adult and mature aged apprentices

According to the FairWork Ombudsman, an adult apprentice is anyone over the age of 21 when they commence their Australian Apprenticeship. There may be different wages and entitlements for adult apprentices and trainees. Employers and apprentices and trainees should look at the FairWork website for information about pay rates.

Incentives for employers

There are several incentives that employers may receive to take on an adult or mature Australian Apprentice. These incentives aim to encourage a diverse age range of workers, and to support adult and mature individuals into work. Incentives include:

Support for Adult Australian Apprentices incentive if the age of the adult apprentice is aged  21 years or over when they start their Australian Apprenticeship on or after the 01 July 2019.
Mature Aged Workers Commencement and Completion incentives if the age of the apprentice is 45 years or more on commencement, and they are disadvantaged.
Restate incentive if the age of the worker is 50 years or older.

All incentives are subject to eligibility. To determine your eligibility and to apply for incentive payments contact your local Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider.

Find out if you are eligible for financial support

Contact an Apprenticeship Network Provider

Changing careers through an adult apprenticeship

An adult apprenticeship is a great way to facilitate a career change. There are some things to consider before making the change and starting an Australian Apprenticeship.

Entry-level position: Many Australian Apprenticeships are entry level positions. If you are a career changer, you will be 'starting at the bottom' and learning a new role.
Pay rates: Adult apprentice pay rates may be lower than those for fully-qualified roles. Consider your financial situation and the duration of the apprenticeship or traineeship.
Work environment: Many trade apprenticeships can be physically demanding. Consider whether you are realistically able to undertake this as a full or part time job.

Our Adult Apprenticeship Job Hunting page has tips on how an adult can find an employer to take them on in an Australian Apprenticeship.

Recognition of skills and experience

If you are considering an Australian Apprenticeship in a new industry or occupation, you may be starting again from the bottom. There are two main types of skills that an adult apprentice may bring into their new role:

Transferrable skills: One benefit of adult apprentices are the skills and experience they bring. Consider which skills may transfer well to the apprenticeship or traineeship, such as time management or customer service.
Technical skills: If you have some technical skills and experience in the role, you may be able to get formal recognition for this. This is typically experience from a previous related job or from other training.

The formal method of comparing your skills, experience and knowledge to the qualification is called Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). You can undertake an RPL assessment with a Registered Training Organisation, such as a TAFE or private training provider. The MySkills website has further information about RPL assessment.

Hear from an adult apprentice

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Erin is a Customer Service Trainee

What are Adult Apprenticeships?

Financial information for adult and mature aged apprentices

Incentives for employers

Find out if you are eligible for financial support

Changing careers through an adult apprenticeship

Recognition of skills and experience

Hear from an adult apprentice

Helpful links

Adult Apprenticeship Job Hunting

Wages & Financial Support

Steps to an Australian Apprenticeship

Next page: What are Higher Apprenticeships?