Training support for apprentices and trainees

An apprenticeship lets you learn a skilled trade—like plumbing, carpentry, electrical, automotive, hairdressing or cooking—while working and earning money. A qualified tradesperson trains you and checks your work as you learn.

You progress as you learn the skills, not just by how long you've been doing it. Most apprenticeships take 3 to 4 years if you work full-time.

A traineeship lets you learn skills for a job—like business, retail, hospitality, health care or tourism—while working and earning money. It's a good way to start a new job or move into a new field.

You progress as you learn the skills, not just by how long you've been doing it. Most traineeships take 1 to 2 years if you work full-time.

Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training from an approved provider. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you study towards a qualification.

The main difference between an apprenticeship and a traineeship is that apprenticeships are usually for skilled trade or technical jobs (like electricians or plumbers), while traineeships are for more general jobs with broader skills (like administration or business jobs).

Generally, both are competency-based training—you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.

The benefits of doing an apprenticeship or traineeship include earning an income while you train and learning hands-on skills to get you ready for work.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are typically for skilled trades like plumbing, carpentry, electrical, automotive, hairdressing or commercial cookery.

Some trades require workers to have completed an apprenticeship to meet licensing or registration requirements. For this reason, it’s important to confirm any licensing requirements before you start training if you want to work in a specific trade.

Apprentices are supervised closely by a qualified tradesperson.

Apprenticeships usually take longer than doing the same course in a classroom, because they include both study and work.

Traineeships

Traineeships cover a broader range of industries, such as business, retail, hospitality, health care, and tourism. They focus on workplace skills for entry-level and mid-level roles.

How much you get paid depends on things like your trade, your age and how long you've been training. Your pay usually goes up each year as you learn more.

If you're 21 or older when you start, you get paid more than a younger apprentice.

Pay rates change every year. To check your pay, use the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool, or call the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94.

How much you get paid depends on things like your education and the level of your traineeship. If you're still at school and doing a traineeship, you'll usually work fewer hours and get paid a different rate.

To check your pay, use the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool, or call the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94.

The duration of an apprenticeship and traineeship depends on the type of qualification you’re doing and whether you study full-time or part-time.

Apprenticeships and traineeships are generally competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.

For most people, apprenticeships usually take around 3 to 4 years full-time. Traineeships usually take around 1 to 2 years full-time.

Apprenticeships and traineeships are a great career path for lots of people, including:

• high school students, usually in Years 10, 11 or 12, who can do school-based
  apprenticeships or traineeships (SATs)
• people who already have a job, who can use an apprenticeship or
  traineeship to change career paths.

To do an apprenticeship or traineeship, you have to be eligible to work in Queensland—you must be an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen, or have a visa allowing employment.

There is a minimum age for starting an apprenticeship or traineeship. For most apprenticeships and traineeships, this is the minimum working age, but some are a bit older. Find out more about minimum age requirements.

However, it’s never too late to start an apprenticeship or traineeship! Many apprentices and trainees start in their late teens or early 20s, but apprentices and trainees who start when they're older bring valuable life experience to their training. If you’re considering a career change, an apprenticeship or traineeship can be a great option to learn practical skills and continue earning an income while you’re training.

Students in high school can do school-based apprenticeships or traineeships to get ready for work.

You can explore options on this website, but the best way to get started with an apprenticeship or traineeship is to ask your school for help.

To get started with an apprenticeship or traineeship:

1. Decide what area you’d like to do an apprenticeship or traineeship in.
2. Find an employer.
3. Sign a training contract with an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider (ACAP).
4. Choose a training provider and enrol.

Find out more about how to start an apprenticeship or traineeship.

You can explore your options on this website, compare courses and research training providers.

If you already know what you want to do, search for training.

If you're not sure yet, get some ideas from the Pathfinder.

As an apprentice, you can be employed directly by a business or through a group training organisation that places you with host employers.

Find out more about finding an employer.

There are lots of different ways to reduce the cost of doing your apprenticeship or traineeship in Queensland.

The Queensland Government covers all or most of the cost of training for many apprentices and trainees.

Find out more and check if you’re eligible for funding.

If you’re having problems with your employer:

1. If you can, speak to your supervisor, manager or human resources team as your first step.
2. If your issue is not resolved through your employer, talk to your training provider or call the Department of Trade, Employment and Training (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:45pm) on 1300 369 935. If needed, you will be referred to a Department staff member in your area who can help.

Before you cancel your apprenticeship or traineeship, consider if there might be another solution. Rather than cancelling, consider other options such as:

• changing your qualification or working hours, e.g. from full-time to part-time
• changing employers, temporarily or permanently
• pausing your apprenticeship or traineeship.

If you need help, you can call the Department of Trade, Employment and Training (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:45pm) on 1300 369 935.

If you decide you want to cancel your apprenticeship or traineeship, follow these steps.