Frequently Asked Questions

Traineeships >> Questions

Q1 ) I am interested in finding out about training through an apprenticeship or traineeship. How can I find out about apprenticeships and traineeships?

Q2 ) I have just arrived from overseas for one month and I am interested in finding out about training through an apprenticeship or traineeship. Would my eligibility differ if I have an immigration visa rather than a visitor's visa?

Q3 ) If I sign up for an apprenticeship or a traineeship and I am then offered another job or traineeship or even to do full-time TAFE, can I leave without any problem? If there are different answers to the above questions could you please indicate that in your response.

Q4 ) Is it possible to have a mature age (eg 23-25 year old) applicant for a trainee position - someone who has been employed elsewhere since leaving school but would like a 'change in direction'?

Q1 ) I am interested in finding out about training through an apprenticeship or traineeship. How can I find out about apprenticeships and traineeships?

A1 ) To obtain an apprenticeship or traineeship, you must find an appropriate employment opportunity. This can be done in a number of ways, for example by:

1. Checking job advertisements in local/regional/daily newspapers.
2. Self canvassing ie, check the local yellow pages and contact employers/send a C/V to them and follow up by phone or in person.
3. Contacting a job network provider or a local Australian Apprenticeships Centre (enter your postcode) see also steps to finding an Australian Apprenticeship Information on different jobs can be found at the Job Guide website or at the careers directory website.
4. You can get information and assistance about apprenticeship and traineeship training by telephoning an State Training Centre of the Department of Education & Training - phone 132811 to contact your nearest centre.
5. An alphabetical list of apprenticeships and traineeships is available on the website.
6. Please note that all apprenticeships and traineeships require study involving a nationally recognised qualification either at TAFE or at a non-TAFE training provider. See the website for more information.
7. Often people just find jobs through friends, workplace acquaintances or relatives. Your local TAFE or private training provider may be able to provide advice about short courses that may involve relevant work experience to help make a career decision.

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Q2 ) I have just arrived from overseas for one month and I am interested in finding out about training through an apprenticeship or traineeship. Would my eligibility differ if I have an immigration visa rather than a visitor's visa?

A2 ) Apprenticeships and traineeships are work-based training arrangements. It is a requirement that the apprentice/trainee sign a Training Contract for a set period of time ranging from six months to four years. A person holding a visa would need to be able to commit to completing the full training period (specified in the relevant vocational training order) set out in the Training Contract. Thus a person holding a one month visa would not be able to make that commitment.

A range of other factors would also need to be considered for example, visa restrictions placed on the person working in Australia, their eligibility to receive funding for apprenticeship and traineeship training in NSW and whether their employer would be eligible for employer incentives from the Commonwealth Government.

You can get further information and assistance on your specific situation by telephoning a Australian Apprenticeships Centre (AAC) - phone 1800 639 629. Or on the web by visiting the AAC website.

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Q3 ) If I sign up for an apprenticeship or a traineeship and I am then offered another job or traineeship or even to do full-time TAFE, can I leave without any problem? If there are different answers to the above questions could you please indicate that in your response.

A3 ) Apprenticeships and traineeships are a protected form of employment arrangement and are subject to a registered agreement (indenture/Training Contract) which can only be cancelled as provided in the relevant legislation, ie by the Apprenticeship & Traineeship Act, 2001.

You can only 'leave' a 'full apprenticeship' by either:

Mutual agreement of the parties - that is both parties agree in writing to the cancellation of the Indenture/Training Contract

or,

Order of the Vocational Training Tribunal - while an apprentice or trainee cannot be physically forced to remain in their apprenticeship/traineeship (the employment and training obligation ie, indenture or they signed up to remains in force unless cancelled by order of the Vocational Training Tribunal.

Thus an apprentice/trainee who has signed an indenture/Training Contract which is current, cannot commence another apprenticeship or traineeship without formally determining that Indenture/Training Contract. An exception to this is where a trainee is undertaking two concurrent approved part-time traineeships.

An apprentice/trainee is required to attend the specified course of studies/qualification relating to their apprenticeship/traineeship. He/she would need leave from their employer to attend another training course during the apprentice's/trainee's work/study time under their indenture/contract obligations. However, it is possible that an apprentice or trainee could undertake a further course in their own time and at their own expense, provided that they achieve satisfactory progress in the specified course of studies/qualification relating to their apprenticeship or traineeship.

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Q4 ) Is it possible to have a mature age (eg 23-25 year old) applicant for a trainee position - someone who has been employed elsewhere since leaving school but would like a 'change in direction'?

A4 ) Yes. A person may seek an apprenticeship or traineeship opportunity to establish a new direction, it happens all the time. There are no age related limits on entering apprenticeship and traineeship arrangements in NSW (other than those under various NSW statutes eg, attending compulsory education up to the age of 15 yrs etc under the Education Act).

However, there are restrictions in relation to eligibility for Commonwealth New Apprenticeship Incentives and State financial benefits based on the period prior of employment with the applicant employer.

Conditions apply to both New Entrant and Existing Worker Traineeships. An employer's nominated Australian Apprenticeships Centre (AAC) will be able to help you clarify your eligibility for incentives. For NSW AAC contact details or http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/.

Please note that State funded benefits for traineeships, eg payroll tax exemptions are only available for New Entrant Traineeships. For current information on NSW Government incentives, see the relevant Advice and Instructions.

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