Who is Involved?

There are a lot of individuals and organisations involved in each Australian Apprenticeship. Some of these will be involved in every apprenticeship or traineeship.

The main organisations that everyone should be familiar with are:

• Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) providers, who do the sign up of all apprenticeships and traineeships
• Registered Training Organisation (RTO), who delivers the off-the-job training
• The FairWork Ombudsman provides information, resources and advice in relation to wages and entitlements
• State and Territory Training Authorities (STAs), who are the government departments responsible for Australian Apprenticeships.

In addition to these main organisations, there are several support organisations who may be able to assist employers, job hunters and apprentices or trainees:

• Group Training Organisations (GTOs) hire apprentices and trainees, and match them with an employer
• Employment Service Providers support people who are out of work and looking for employment
• Schools will be part of the arrangement in the case of an Australian School-based Apprenticeship.

Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) providers 

Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) providers deliver free support to apprentices, trainees and employers throughout the life of an Australian Apprenticeship. AASN responsibilities include:  

• providing information on which Australian Apprenticeships are suitable for a workplace 
• providing information and support about relevant training providers  
• inducting employers, apprentices and trainees  
• lodging and updating Training Contracts  
• managing the eligibility, submission and progress of potential allowances, loans and incentives 
• mentoring support throughout the life of an apprenticeship or traineeship.  

Australian Apprenticeship Support Network providers must be used by an employer when taking on an apprentice or trainee. 

Registered Training Organisations

The Registered Training Organisation (RTO) works with employers and apprentices and trainees to develop and deliver the training plan.

RTOs are also responsible for identifying and testing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If an apprentice or trainee has already gained skills, experience and knowledge through completing courses, life experience or work experience, this may provide Australian Apprentices with credit towards the completion of a qualification that relates to their occupation or the occupation that they want to move in to.

Fair Work Ombudsman

The Fair Work Ombudsman provides information advice to employers and apprentices and trainees about wages and entitlements. This includes:

• various entitlements such as wages, benefits, allowances and subsidies
• award requirements, including progression or wages
• payment arrangements for training
• employment conditions.

The Fair Work Ombudsman website has interactive resources to help people find the correct award, and stay up to date with any changes.

Group Training Organisations

Group Training Organisations employ apprentices and trainees and place them with host employers. This makes the GTO the legal employer of the Australian Apprentice, which provides benefits to the employer and apprentice or trainee.

GTO responsibilities include:  

• selecting and recruiting apprentices and trainees, and matching them to a host employer
• managing wages, allowances, superannuation, worker's compensation and other employment benefits  
• managing and supporting both on and off-the-job training 
• providing support for the apprentice, trainee and host employer throughout the life of the Australian Apprenticeship.  

Group Training Organisations operate across Australia, with some specialising in particular industries, while others may cover many industries.

Job hunters should visit the websites of local GTOs to view their vacancies, or get in touch with them to discuss employment options.

Host Employers

When an apprentice or trainee is employed by a Group Training Organisation, they are placed with a host employer to develop the skills required for their apprenticeship or traineeship.

Hiring an apprentice or trainee from a Group Training Organisation allows host employers to take part in the employment and training of apprentices and trainees to suit their business needs. There are many other benefits for employers using a Group Training Organisation.

Employment Services Providers

The Australian Government supports a network of providers who support job hunters to find employment and training places. Job hunters may be able to access this support through Services Australia. The jobactive program helps people find jobs and employers hire staff.

Employers should consider using a jobactive provider to help them find staff. They will be supported by the organisation to find suitable candidates, and during the initial period of the employment while the apprentice or trainee settles in. Employers may also be eligible for the PaTH Internships program, which allows an employer to trial a new staff member for up to 12 weeks.

Parent or Caregiver

Parents and close family relations are known to be one of the biggest influencers of their child's career choices, even into adulthood. Supporting and influencing career decisions can be as simple as giving your opinion when asked. It could be more extensive such as helping find a potential employer, or facilitating career conversations within your networks.

The parent or caregiver may also play a formal role in the Australian Apprenticeship. If an apprentice or trainee is under 18 years of age, a parent or caregiver will typically need to give approval and sign the Training Contract.