Australian Apprenticeships

Australian Apprencticeships are the best way to combine training and employment that leads to a nationally recognised qualification.

Australian Apprenticeships are available to anyone of working age and do not require any entry qualifications. They're valuable whether you're a school-leaver, re-entering the workforce or simply want to change careers.

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What are Australian Apprenticeships?

Australian Apprenticeships include not only traditional technical trades such as carpentry or hairdressing, but also traineeships in fields such as Hospitality, Business, Manufacturing and Health.

With an Australian Apprenticeship you spend most of the time in paid employment, learning practical skills on-the-job and putting them into practice.

The rest of your time is spent in structured off-the-job training at a TAFE or another registered training organisation, where you can get a nationally recognised qualification, normally at a Certificate level.

What makes it different from full-time work and part-time study is that you continue to get paid while you’re at off-the-job training, and the majority of it is completed within your standard working week.

What’s more, Australian Apprenticeships differ from old-style apprenticeships, as they are ‘competency based’. This means you might complete your Australian Apprenticeship in less than three or four years if you quickly achieve the knowledge and skills required.

Australian Apprenticeships have many benefits such as:

• A great way to get a head start in a chosen career.
• Paid work and structured training that can be on-the-job, off-the-job or a combination of both.
• Allow you to complete your training faster if you reach the required skills level, i.e ‘competency based'.
• Recognition of existing skills and prior experience are recognised and course credits granted, potentially reducing formal training time.
• Full-time or part-time formats, including part-time arrangements in many schools, allowing you to start work earlier.
• Nationally recognised qualifications and skills, providing the basis for further education and training over the course of your working life.
• A strong pathway from school to work.

Why do one?

Earn while you learn

A real career pathway

An Australian Apprenticeship is a fantastic basis to build a career on. Once you have gained further experience, use your expertise to move into a managerial or supervisory position. You can also use your Certificate as credit towards a higher level qualification such as a Diploma or Degree.

Many Australian Apprenticeships are in areas of national skills shortages. This means people working in these fields are in demand and well rewarded. Visit the Skillsforthefuture.gov.au website for more information.

Live the life you want

Australian Apprenticeships are nationally recognised, meaning you can take your qualification and work wherever there are opportunities across the country. What’s more, many of those that result in trade qualifications are recognised internationally, meaning they really can take you just about anywhere.

How can I get an Australian Apprenticeship?

The first thing to do is work out which Australian Apprenticeship is for you by exploring the options available. Then make sure you meet all the requirements of the Australian Apprenticeship you’re interested in.

Some of the best ways to learn more about Australian Apprenticeships and to find an apprenticeship are:

Contact your local AustralianApprenticeships Centre

Located throughout the country, these centres will provide you with all the information you need on Australian Apprenticeships and point you in the right direction to find a job. Visit the Australian Apprenticeships website for more information.

Contact employers directly

A great place to start is to contact a Group Training Organisation (GTOs)in the area you want to work. GTOs specialise in employing and training apprentices and trainees in a range of areas. They then host them out on work placement to employers in the field.

Watch for ‘positions vacant’ ads

Look in newspapers and on websites such as JobSearch and other online vacancy websites.

Contact Centrelinkor your local Job Network office

See if you’re eligible for their assistance. You are able to register with Job Network while you are still at school for the purpose of looking for an apprenticeship or traineeship.

Visit the Practical tips section of this site for more tips on how to approach employers and find work.