Frequently Asked Questions

Part-time Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Q1 ) Does the Apprenticeship & Traineeship Act 2001 prohibit part-time apprenticeships?

A1 ) No, the Apprenticeship & Traineeship Act 2001 does not expressly prohibit part-time apprenticeships. The nominal term of training for both full-time and part-time training arrangements for apprenticeships and traineeships is established in vocational training orders (VTOs) on the basis of relevant industry advice, which includes the availability of appropriate industrial award provisions.

VTOs are available from the website as attachments to Commissioners Information Bulletins (CIBs) issued in respect to the various apprenticeship and traineeship classifications.

There are at present no award based industrial arrangements available in NSW to support part-time apprenticeships. However, the National Training Wage Award (NTWA) and many state training wage awards contain provisions for part-time traineeships. An appropriate industrial instrument must be identified for each proposed apprenticeship or traineeship.

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Q2 ) Can an apprenticeship be undertaken on a part time basis (say 25 hours per week) where the industrial arrangements are established by an Australian Workplace Agreement (AWA)?

A2 ) The nominal term of training for both full-time and part-time training arrangements for apprenticeships and traineeships is established in vocational training orders (VTOs) on the basis of relevant industry advice. Such advice will take into account the availability of appropriate industrial arrangements to support part-time training arrangements.

There are at present no award based industrial arrangements available in NSW to support part-time apprenticeships. If a part-time apprenticeship is proposed, an appropriate industrial arrangement must be identified to support the proposed apprenticeship.

The NSW Department of Education and Training (DET) monitors issues related to the establishment of apprenticeships and traineeships, including proposals for part-time apprenticeships. Such issues may include the nomination of an Australian Workplace Agreement (AWA) as an appropriate industrial instrument to support a part-time apprenticeship.

Should an AWA be identified in an application to establish a Training Contract for a part-time apprenticeship in NSW, such application will be considered on its merits including whether the relevant VTO provides for part-time apprenticeships. If it does not, then the matter will be determined on the advice of relevant industry groups.

Where a Training Contract does not comply with the VTO (eg in respect to the term of training) and/or does not identify an appropriate industrial arrangement, it may be refused.

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