Apprentice and trainee FAQs

When an employer takes you on as an apprentice or trainee, they enter into a formal agreement known as a Training Contract. This is a binding agreement for both you and your employer. Your employer is required to enroll you into vocational education and training (VET) course within 3 month (90 days) of your commencement.

Your employer will also arrange for the signing and lodgment of a Training Plan. The Training Plan is the document which describes what training is to be provided and by whom, as well as how, including when and where the training will be delivered. This includes on-the-job training and assessment of competency in the necessary skills for the trade or vocation.

Sometimes this process is delayed, if you are concerned or have further questions regarding training commencement or your training plan contacting your Training Course Provider is a good place to start for help. Your Apprenticeship Support Officer (ASO) can also assist you in enrolling and support you during your apprenticeship or traineeship.

You can contact the Apprenticeship Support Officer Program Via email apprenticeship.support@ecodev.vic.gov.au or Phone 1300 311 820

Employers have a responsibility to follow the Fair Work standards as outlined in the Ombudsman. In most circumstances this includes paying or reimbursing you for your training cost. Many awards have entitlements for training costs, fees and textbooks.

You should be reimbursed for:

• all the fees charged by your RTO that are related to your training
• the cost of your prescribed textbooks for your apprenticeship.

An employer doesn’t have to reimburse you for fees and textbooks if:

• your progress in the course is unsatisfactory
• your employer pays the costs and fees directly to the training organisation, or
• you aren’t working for them at the set time that the costs have to be reimbursed.

If your employer has not yet initiated a discussion with you in regards to training fee costs, it’s a good idea to raise this topic with them. A full overview of apprentice entitlements can be found at Apprentice Entitlements Fair Work Ombudsman(opens in a new window). This information is subject to change. You should always get specific, tailored, and up-to-date advice from the Fair Work Ombudsman.(opens in a new window)

The Low Income Health Care Card(opens in a new window) is available for apprentices who meet income and residence criteria. If you are eligible, you could have access to receive concessions and discounts to:

• health care and medicine costs
• bulk-billed medical visits
• public transport cost
• electricity and gas bills
• vehicle registration
• training courses

If your employer is reimbursing you for training costs, (meaning you’ll personally be paying upfront), a Low Income Health Care Card can potentially save you money. With a Low Income Health Care Card, training fees can be dramatically reduced. Contact Centrelink on 133 633 for more info and to find out if you’re eligible.

Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans(opens in a new window) can assist with everyday costs while you undertake your training and might be worth considering. Everyone’s circumstances are different so before taking it up, get advice from people you trust and do your research. Contact your Apprenticeship Network Provider for more information and to apply for the loan.

For information relating to Apprentice Incentives, please see the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Explorer.(opens in a new window)

As an apprentice you are required to apply for any incentives (including the Trade Loan) via the Apprenticeship Data Management System (ADMS), of which you will need to set up a log-in. For further information on how to set up the ADMS, you will need to contact your Australian Apprenticeship Support Network Provider(opens in a new window).

If you’re a trade apprentice using your car for work, you may be eligible to get 100% off your registration renewal through the trade apprentice registration discount.(opens in a new window) For more information or to apply contact VicRoads(opens in a new window).

Apprentices and trainees can find themselves out of work for many different reasons. But help is available to find a job, continue in your apprenticeship or traineeship under a new employer, or choose a fresh direction in your career. We know lots of people face challenges – either personal or professional – in their working life. Expert support can help find a way through and get you going on the right career path for you. The below services can help you:

Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program

A lot of people had their apprenticeships and traineeships disrupted in the past couple of years. That’s why the Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program was created to deal with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) is working with the Department of Education to maintain a Victorian register for retrenched apprentices and trainees. There’s also support on offer from staff who can provide job matching and other assistance.

Register here(opens in a new window) to get help with re-starting your apprenticeship or traineeship with a new employer.

Skills and Jobs Centres

Based in TAFEs across Victoria, Skills and Jobs Centres (SJCs) help people with career advice, job searching and choosing courses. You don’t have to be a student to visit an SJC – anyone can go along to get free expert help and advice. This includes: guidance on the apprenticeship and traineeship system, referrals and job matching to local employment opportunities and referral to welfare support and financial advice.

Head here(opens in a new window) to find out more about SJCs and find your local centre.

Victorian Skills Gateway

Looking for further training opportunities or some help taking the next steps in your career? Explore the Victorian Skills Gateway to find out how to continue your current studies, get your student records, transfer credit to a new course, switch careers, access Free TAFE opportunities, or plot out a pathway to higher qualifications – including university. You can also use the course search function to see what kind of training is on offer across the state.

Head here(opens in a new window) to explore the Victorian Skills Gateway.

Apprenticeship Network Provider (ANP)

Australian Apprenticeship Support Network providers are a free national service for apprentices and employers. They are experts on apprenticeships and can give you tailored advice for your situation.

You can’t start an apprenticeship without an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider.

They will help handle tasks such as finalising your training contract, finding the right Registered Training Organisation and guide you to understand which incentives you could claim.

Head here(opens in a new window) to explore arch for an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network Provider.

Find your award and what you should be paid.

Click here: The P.A.C.T(opens in a new window)

Use this checklist to make sure you are receiving your entitlements and meeting your responsibilities as an apprentice or trainee. If you agree with every checklist item, your apprenticeship or traineeship is likely to be progressing well. If you disagree with a checklist item or you are unsure, you can ask for advice from your training organisation or Apprenticeship Network provider, or contact us.

Click here: Rights and responsibilities checklist

You have the right to a safe working environment. Find out about your rights, responsibilities, and support services available to help you.

Click here: Young workers(opens in a new window)

You may be a victim of wage theft if your employer has deliberately and dishonestly underpaid you or withheld other employee entitlements

Click here: Wage theft(opens in a new window)

Information about seeking support if you’re injured on the job.

Click here: Injured at work

Resources to help employees that have experienced or witnessed work-related violence.

Click here: Work-related violence(opens in a new window)

Use this free app from the Fair Work Ombudsman to help you keep track of your working hours and more.

Click here: Record my Hours(opens in a new window)

Resource outlining your rights and responsibilities as an apprentice.

Click here: Apprentice and trainee rights and responsibilities(opens in a new window)

WorkSafe is Victoria’s workplace health and safety regulator and workplace injury insurer. Their job is to reduce workplace harm and improve outcomes for injured workers.

Phone: 1800 136 089

Website: WorkSafe Victoria(opens in a new window)

The VRQA is a statutory authority responsible for eliminating or minimizing harm to children, students, apprentices and trainees receiving education and training services within its scope of regulation.

Phone: 1300 722 603

Website: The Victorian Apprenticeship Regulator (VRQA)(opens in a new window)

The role of the FWO is to promote harmonious, productive and cooperative workplace relations. The FWO also monitors, inquires into, investigates, and enforces compliance with Australia’s workplace laws.

Phone: 13 13 94

Website: Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO)(opens in a new window)

Information about income support payments or family tax benefits available to apprentices.

Phone: 13 36 33

Website: Centrelink Australian Apprenticeships Line(opens in a new window)

JobWatch is an independent, not-for-profit employment rights community legal centre supporting workers in Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania with their rights at work. Primary activities include Telephone Information Service, legal practice, law reform work and community legal education.

Phone: 03 9662 1933

Website: JobWatch(opens in a new window)

The Young Workers Centre is an accredited community legal centre in Victoria providing free advice and representation to young people under the age of 30 with employment law issues.

Phone: 1800 714 754

Website: Young Workers Centre(opens in a new window)

The ATO manages and shapes the tax and superannuation systems that support and fund services for Australians.

Phone: 13 38 61

Website: Australian Taxation Office (ATO)(opens in a new window)

Lifeline is a non-profit organisation that provides free, 24-hour telephone crisis support service in Australia.

Phone: 13 11 14

Website: Lifeline(opens in a new window)

Beyondblue is an Australian mental health and wellbeing support organisation. They provide support programs to address issues related to depression, suicide, anxiety disorders and other related mental illnesses.

Phone: 1300 224 636

Website: Beyondblue(opens in a new window)