The 2024-25 ACT Budget includes a one-off $250 payment for all ACT apprentices and trainees to assist with cost-of-living pressures.
ACT Government will contact eligible apprentices and trainees to request information to enable the payment to be made. Contact will likely be made between July and August. If an apprentice or trainee has not received contact by September and they believe to be eligible please refer to One-off payment for apprentices and trainees - ACT Government where contact information will be made available.
Who is eligible?
- Apprentices and trainees who reside in the ACT and who are employed by an ACT employer
- are or were active in your training contact on 1 July 2024 (not cancelled or withdrawn).
Please note - The payment is not available for apprentices and trainees commencing after 1 July 2024.
What is an Australian Apprenticeship?
Australian Apprenticeships include apprenticeships and traineeships and combine time at work with off-the-job training and can be full-time, part-time or school-based.
Australian Apprenticeships lead to a nationally recognised qualification and provide Australian Apprentices with the necessary job experience to pursue the career they want.
Australian Apprenticeships are available in over 500 occupations in an increasing range of industries. Some of the benefits to undertaking an apprenticeship include:
- paid work and structured training that can be on-the-job, off-the-job or a combination of both
- ‘competency based’ training which means you can complete your course faster if you reach the required skill level
- course credit can be granted for existing skills and prior experience, potentially reducing the length of formal training
- opportunities for full-time or part-time training and work
- a pathway to nationally recognised qualifications and skills
- a basis for further education and training over the course of your working life
- a pathway from school to work.
Australian Apprenticeships are ‘competency based’ which means training can be completed as soon as the required skill level in the qualification is reached.
Australian Apprenticeships include traditional trades such as automotive, hairdressing and plumbing, as well as those in newer industries such as information technology, communications and early childhood education and care. The job prospects for qualified people are vast, and the demand for skilled workers continues to increase.
Eligibility
Employee eligibility
To be eligible for an ACT Australian Apprenticeship training contract, you must:
- work in the ACT. This means, you must work for an ACT employer. An ACT employer is an employer with a workplace address in the ACT (Note: The employer’s workplace address must be a physical address in the ACT, not a PO Box, and the usual worksite for the Australian Apprentice), and
- be at least 15 years of age, and
- be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or New Zealand passport holder resident for more than 6 months, or
- an eligible visa holder, and
- receive remuneration for your work, and
- complete a minimum of 15 hours combined work and training per week, and
- undertake an approved Australian Apprenticeships qualification with an approved registered training organisation, as listed on the ACT Qualifications Register, and
- have the required supervision in the workplace for an Australian Apprentice.
For more information on employee eligibility, please contact one of the following Apprentice Connect Australia Providers operating in the ACT:
Employer eligibility
To enter into an ACT Australian Apprenticeship training contract, an employer must also meet several eligibility criteria.
For more information on employer eligibility, please contact one of the following Apprentice Connect Australia Providers contracted to operate in the ACT:
Costs
Registered training organisations (RTOs) are required to charge participants a fee for administration costs upon enrolment in an Australian Apprenticeship.
RTOs set their own fees for Australian Apprenticeships training, but Skills Canberra requires a minimum fee of $350 to be charged.
For information about fees charged by each RTO for specific qualifications, refer to the ACT Qualifications Register or contact the RTO directly.
Some Australian Apprentices may be eligible to be reimbursed by their employer for any fees paid to participate in training, such as tuition or travel costs. For information, refer to Pay, conditions, workplace rights and obligations.
Finding an employer
An Australian Apprenticeship relies on an Australian Apprenticeship training contract entered into between the Australian Apprentice and their employer. As a result, before you can begin an Australian Apprenticeship, you must find a job as an Australian Apprentice in your industry of choice.
Job search websites are a good place to start. Group Training Organisations can also be approached for assistance, as can employment agencies. You might also consider relying on your network of family and friends in looking for opportunities. Finally, approaching employers directly can show great initiative.
Choosing a training pathway
A training pathway refers to the different ways a person can achieve a qualification. Under an Australian Apprenticeship, these pathways may include:
- recognition of prior learning (RPL)
- structured training and assessment with a registered training organisation (off-the-job) and in the workplace (on-the-job).
Employers, Australian Apprentices and Registered Training Organisations identify the most appropriate training path for each Australian Apprentice and this is set out in a training plan.
The type of training plan will depend on factors such as the:
- type of skills being developed
- relative effectiveness of individual study as opposed to team-based learning
- skills the Australian Apprentice already has
- practicality of travelling to a registered training provider to attend classes
- number of other Australian Apprentices undertaking similar training.
Choosing a qualification
Whether you had a qualification in mind before finding your employer or not, once you have found a job you should settle on your qualification and a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) to deliver your off-the-job training. There is a wealth of resources available to assist you including:
With an employer, a qualification, and an RTO sorted, it will be time to enter into your Australian Apprenticeship training contract. An Apprentice Connect Australia Provider can assist you and your employer to sign this contract.
Apprentice Connect Australia Providers
From 1 July 2024, Australian Apprenticeship Support Network providers (AASNs) transitioned to Apprentice Connect Australia Providers (Providers).
The new Providers are contracted by the Australian Government to deliver support services through the Australian Apprenticeship Service Delivery network. There are two Providers contracted for the ACT region:
The support services include assessment, mentoring and personal support, and engagement and Apprenticeship technical support services delivered by Providers to Australian Apprentices, their employers, and to prospective Australian Apprentices and employers.
These are free services to employers, Australian Apprentices and other interested parties.
More information can be found on the Apprenticeships advice and support page on the Australian Government's Australian Apprenticeships website.
Pay, conditions, workplace rights and obligations
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) offers employees and employers free information and advice on pay, conditions, and workplace rights and obligations. Fair Work Ombudsman provides the following resources and tools for apprentices and trainees.
Apprentices, trainees and employers are able to contact the Fair Work Ombudsman:
Travelling interstate for your Australian Apprenticeship
A small number of Australian Apprenticeship qualifications are not delivered within the ACT. In these cases, Australian Apprentices must travel interstate to undertake their structured, off-the-job training.
This interstate training is usually delivered in blocks of time and Australian Apprentices’ attendance is referred to as ‘block release’. The qualifications eligible for block release and the RTOs providing the training are identified on the ACT Qualifications Register.
Payment for travel support is made to eligible Australian Apprentices when they return from interstate training. To claim the allowance, the Australian Apprentice must submit a signed and stamped copy of the Application for Interstate Training Travel Support (DOC 62KB) or (PDF 163KB).
It is in the Australian Apprentice’s interests to submit each individual claim form to skills@act.gov.au as soon as they complete and return from each interstate trip. Payments will only be made for claims received by Skills Canberra within 3 months of the block training.
When the interstate training is completed, ensure the RTO has provided you with a supporting statement of the:
- qualification being achieved through a competency-based system
- competence being demonstrated both in the workplace and off-the-job.
Any enquiries about interstate travel support should be directed to Skills Canberra via email skills@act.gov.au or phone (02) 6205 8555.
