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What are Australian Apprenticeships?

An introduction to the essential elements of starting an apprenticeship or traineeship.

The term ‘Australian Apprenticeships’ covers both apprenticeships and traineeships, which start when an employer creates a job and decides to use this way of employing and training staff.

Australian Apprenticeships are available to anyone of working age with eligibility to work in Australia. There aren't specific school levels, certificates or other qualifications needed to start one.

Australian Apprenticeships offer opportunities for you to train, study and earn an income at a variety of Vocational Education and Training qualification levels in many occupations including traditional trades and can be either full-time, part-time or school-based.

When you finish your Australian Apprenticeship, you will have a nationally recognised qualification that can take you anywhere in Australia and is held in high regard in many overseas countries as well.

What are the other types of Australian Apprenticeships?

Australian School-based Apprenticeships

Undertaken as part of schooling, and may count towards a high school certificate and ATAR.

Pre-apprenticeships

Entry level training which provides a pathway into the industry of your choice.

Higher Apprenticeships

Undertake a Diploma or Advanced Diploma level qualification as an apprentice or trainee.

Who can do an Australian Apprenticeship?

Anyone of working age and with eligibility to work in Australia can start an apprenticeship or traineeship, including adults.

You do not need a secondary school certificate or other qualification before starting, however employers can set their own requirements when hiring staff. For example, an employer may set a minimum standard of year 11 or 12, or the completion of a pre-apprenticeship.

Students can start an Australian Apprenticeship while at school. Positions are also commonly filled by school leavers, people re-entering the workforce, or by those in the workforce wishing to change careers or gain new skills.

To be eligible for an apprenticeship or traineeship a person must be:

an Australian citizen or
a permanent resident or
a holder of a temporary resident or working visa of sufficient duration to undertake the apprenticeship or traineeship.

It is important to talk through your circumstances and how they may effect eligibility to start an apprenticeship or traineeship. Contact an Apprenticeship Network provider for more details.

What are the benefits of doing an apprenticeship or traineeship?

Completing an apprenticeship or traineeship has many benefits as a pathway into a career. These include:

Earning a wage while you learn.
Developing practical skills specific to the occupation or industry you are interested in.
Experiencing training that is hands-on and delivered in the workplace, in a classroom, or a combination of both approaches.
Gaining a nationally recognised qualification which can provide the basis for further education and training over the course of your working life.
Potentially accessing government financial support and other benefits to assist with the costs incurred whilst you are undertaking your training.
Updating skills in an area you already work in.
Increasing your value as a qualified employee.

Your apprenticeship or traineeship can also be used as a pathway to a higher level qualification, including other vocational education and training qualifications, and university qualifications.

National Code of Good Practice for Australian Apprenticeships

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What jobs can be Australian Apprenticeships?

Apprenticeships and traineeships are established across 50 industries. Most people know about the common jobs like carpentry, plumbing, automotive mechanic and electrician. But there are thousands of other jobs that can be an Australian Apprenticeship.

Your career pathway can start with apprenticeships or traineeships in industries like community services and health, travel and tourism, communication and information technology, financial services, agriculture and horticulture, and government.

You can use this website to find out more about what jobs can be done as an apprenticeship or traineeship, and what is involved in these roles. This information can help conversations between students or job hunters, and parents, career advisers and others that might help inform career pathways.

There’s also industry information that can help you build an understanding of the range of industries and job roles that can be done as Australian Apprenticeships. Find out information including growth in that industry, the most common types of apprenticeship and traineeship jobs, and industry specific job hunting tips.

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An image of an apprentice with an employer

It all starts with an employer

Apprenticeships and traineeships start with an employer either advertising a job vacancy or recruiting a person directly. Employers may employ a person they know, someone who has been recommended to them, or a job hunter who has contacted them seeking employment.

Apprenticeship and traineeship jobs are potentially available in every industry but they all need to start with an employment opportunity. Click through to see the steps involved in finding a potential apprenticeship or traineeship opportunity.

Learn more about Job Hunting

Starting an Apprenticeship - Who Is Involved?

There are lots of people and organisations involved in each apprenticeship or traineeship. Below are some of the networks that you might have contact with:

- Australian Apprenticeship Support Network providers
- Registered Training Organisations
- Group Training Organisations
- Employers
- Schools
- Fair Work Ombudsman
- State and Territory Training Authorities

Learn more about who is involved