Sign up an apprentice or trainee
Get help signing up an apprentice or trainee and accessing government funding and incentives.
Getting started
A number of people and organisations work together to support an apprenticeship. These typically include the apprentice, host employer, workplace supervisor, training provider and Apprentice Connect Australia Provider. Other organisations may also be involved depending on the apprenticeship and employment arrangement.
Yes. Apprentices and trainees are employees with the same entitlement to minimum wages and employment conditions. Their employment also includes a formal training contract as part of their apprenticeship or traineeship.
Hiring
Businesses of all sizes can hire an apprentice, from sole traders and small businesses through to large organisations. To do so, you'll need to meet the relevant workplace, supervision, training and employment requirements.
Yes, in many cases you can hire an apprentice part-time. Whether this is possible depends on the qualification and requirements in your state or territory. Your apprentice will also need enough time to complete both their workplace and training requirements. Apprenticeship Support Australia can help you check your options.
Before hiring an apprentice, you should have workplace health and safety processes, payroll systems, effective induction and onboarding procedures, appropriate supervision arrangements, and the ability to support training and maintain required records throughout the apprenticeship or traineeship.
The documents required can vary, but usually you’ll need contact details for those involved, employment and workplace information, your business ABN, and any state-specific forms. We will confirm the documents required for your apprentice sign up.
Training contract
A training contract is a legally binding agreement between an employer and an apprentice or trainee, and a parent or guardian where required. It outlines the qualification, the employment and training arrangements, the expected duration, and whether the apprenticeship or traineeship is full-time, part-time or school-based.
A training contract sets out the apprenticeship or traineeship and the training responsibilities of every party involved. An employment contract, award or registered agreement covers wages, hours, leave, allowances, notice and other employment conditions.
Training
An Registered Training Organisation (RTO) provides the formal training for an apprenticeship. This could be a TAFE or private training provider. The RTO develops the training plan with the employer and apprentice, assesses their skills and issues the qualification once the training requirements are completed.
No. ASA can guide you through the process and help establish the required training arrangements with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). You, your apprentice and the RTO will then work together on a training plan.
A training plan outlines how an apprentice will complete the training and assessment required for their qualification. It covers what they will learn, how and where training will take place, how their skills will be assessed and the expected timeframes.
Support your apprentice by providing regular supervision, meaningful work, constructive feedback and training opportunities. It’s also important to maintain open communication with both your apprentice and their training provider.
Onboarding
An apprentice should be supervised by someone with the skills and experience to guide and support them in their role. In some occupations, the supervisor must hold the relevant trade qualification or licence. The level of supervision should reflect the work being performed and the apprentice's experience and capability. We offer free supervisor training to help you get the most out of your apprentice.
Onboard your apprentice with a thorough induction from day one, covering workplace expectations, safety requirements, workplace policies, supervision arrangements and training expectations.
You should have policies and procedures that meet your workplace needs and legal obligations. These may include work health and safety, bullying and harassment, discrimination, leave, complaints and grievances, and performance management policies. You can create some of these policy documents for free using our onboarding document builder.
As an employer you must keep records of pay, attendance, leave, training, supervision and employment details in line with workplace and legal requirements.
Managing changes
The probation period is the beginning of an apprenticeship or traineeship. It gives the employer and apprentice or trainee time to decide whether the arrangement is right for them. The length and requirements vary depending on the relevant state or territory arrangements.
If an apprentice isn't the right fit, it's important to address concerns early through open communication, coaching and support. If training is being affected, involve the training provider. We're happy to explain what support is available and guide you through the relevant process in your state or territory. Any changes to the training contract, including suspension or cancellation, must follow local requirements.
If your apprentice leaves before they complete their apprenticeship, you’ll need to finalise their employment and Training Contract, notify the relevant parties and check any impact on incentive payments. ASA can guide you through the required steps.
Completion
An apprenticeship is usually completed once the apprentice has successfully achieved all required competencies and the completion process has been finalised by the employer, apprentice, training provider and relevant State or Territory Training Authority.
Financial support
Depending on eligibility, employers may access incentive payments, wage support and other federal, state, territory or industry assistance. ASA can help employers understand which financial support options may be available to them.
ASA can complete an individual eligibility assessment to help employers understand what support may be available. Online eligibility tools can also provide an indication, but eligibility depends on current program requirements and individual circumstances.
Claims
Federal incentive claims are generally completed online through the Apprenticeships Data Management System (ADMS). When eligible, the relevant claim will usually appear in the apprentice or employer’s account for completion.
Claims become available at different times depending on the payment, your eligibility and when the required milestone is reached. You can check your apprentice or employer portal, or contact ASA if an expected claim hasn’t appeared.
You generally have 12 calendar months from the relevant effect date to submit a claim, unless otherwise specified. If a claim is returned due to incomplete or incorrect evidence, you generally have 20 business days from the expiry or return date, whichever is later, to resubmit it.
The evidence required will depend on the payment you're claiming. This may include payroll records, payslips, time and wages records, employment details, declarations, training information, disability assessments, or travel and accommodation evidence. Always check the requirements for the specific payment and ensure an apprentice's Tax File Number is not visible in any uploaded documents.
Not necessarily. An eligible apprentice or employer may still need to submit a claim, declaration and supporting evidence. ASA can help you understand the claim requirements, as appearing in the system does not mean a claim is approved.
If your apprentice leaves before reaching an incentive payment milestone, you may no longer be eligible for future payments for that apprentice.
Get started today
Thinking about hiring an apprentice or trainee? We’ll walk you through the hiring process, help you access funding, and support you in building a skilled workforce.