Have questions about apprenticeships?
Find answers about eligibility, support, training contracts and more.
An apprenticeship or traineeship is your pathway to becoming a qualified tradesperson or skilled worker in your chosen field. It combines hands-on experience with structured learning, helping you build real skills while working in your industry.
Apprentices learn a skilled trade through a combination of on-the-job experience and formal training, working towards becoming a qualified tradesperson. Trainees develop practical skills in vocational industries such as business, health or hospitality and gain a nationally recognised qualification.
There are many benefits to becoming an apprentice or trainee.
Benefits of an Apprenticeship
Earn While You Learn
Get paid while you learn valuable skills and experience.
Real-World Experience
Gain practical experience while working on real projects.
Nationally Recognised Qualification
Open doors to future opportunities with recognised skills.
Flexible Study Options
Choose full-time or part-time to suit your lifestyle.
Job Ready
Graduate ready for work and debt free.
Industry Connections
Build valuable networks and connections while working in your chosen industry.
Become an Apprentice in 6 Steps
Follow a structured journey at your own pace.
Choosing a trade or area to work in is a big decision, and the right questions can help you figure out what will fit you, sustain you, and motivate you long term.
Here are some questions to get you thinking about the right pathway for you:
- What tasks do I naturally enjoy? (fixing things, creating, organising, working outdoors, etc.)
- Do I like working with my hands, tools, or machinery?
- Am I curious about how things are built or how systems work?
- What am I naturally good at?
- Problem solving?
- Working with precision?
- Physical work?
- Do I have the physical capacity for the job’s demands? (lifting, repetitive movements, working at heights, heat/cold, etc.)
- Do I prefer practical, real-world tasks?
- What kind of daily routine do I want?
- Indoors vs outdoors
- Regular hours vs variable
- Solo work vs team environments
- Do I want a trade that allows travel? Or one close to home?
- Am I okay with early starts? Shift work? Seasonal variation?
- Do I prefer a fast-paced environment or steady, predictable work?
- Do I want clean work or am I okay with dirt, noise, or physically demanding tasks?
Thinking about these questions will help to guide your future decisions.
To get things started, you will need to find an employer who is keen to take on an apprentice or trainee.
Apprenticeships and traineeships are advertised on commercial job boards such as Seek, as well as government career sites. Sign up for job alerts using terms that match your end goal, like 'carpentry apprentice'. When you find an apprentice job you are interested in, apply as you would for an ordinary job.
If you are having trouble finding an apprenticeship or traineeship yourself, you can look for an opportunity through a Group Training Organisation (GTO). A GTO is a registered entity that employs apprentices and trainees, placing them with "host employers" to gain on-the-job experience. GTOs manage the employment contract, payroll, training, and pastoral care, which would normally be managed by the business. They also provide job security by rotating apprentices and trainees if the host's work ends.
The first step in beginning your journey as an Australian Apprentice – (collective term for both Apprentice and Trainees) is to contact an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider.
Apprentice Connect Australia Providers are a free national service for Australian Apprentices and employers. They are experts on Australian Apprenticeships and can give you tailored advice for your situation.
You can’t start an apprenticeship without an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider.
How can they support me?
Apprentice Connect Australia Providers can help you by:
- Finding you an employer to get started as an apprentice if you haven’t already found one
- Guiding you to find the right course and Registered Training Organisation for the career you want
- Getting your prior experience recognised by your Registered Training Organisation
- Making sure you know your rights as an apprentice
- Providing support and pastoral care to resolve any issues that may arise throughout your training
- Supporting you to claim any financial incentives that may be available
- Helping you to make changes or complete your apprenticeship
Once you have started the process of becoming an Australian Apprentice your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider will keep in touch to check how things are going for you and your employer. If you ever need any support, they’re available for you to call.
Before an apprenticeship or traineeship can start, you will need to sign into a training contract.
A training contract is a legal agreement between you and your employer that outlines:
- the number of hours of employment per week that the apprentice or trainee will be employed. This includes on-the-job and off-the-job training time
- the length of the training contract (known as the nominal term or duration)
- the qualification the apprentice or trainee is undertaking
- details of the Registered Training Organisation (RTO), such as TasTAFE, which will provide training and assessment services
- the industrial arrangements under which the apprentice or trainee will be employed
- the obligations of employer and the apprentice or trainee.
Your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider will administer the training contract and guide you through the entire process.
Once a training contract is registered, you and your employer will work with the chosen RTO to develop a training plan.
The training plan outlines:
- How training and assessment will happen
- When it will occur
- Where training and assessment will take place
- Who will conduct the training and assessment
You and your employer will get a copy of this plan, and this will be used to assess your progress throughout your studies.
The training plan is a flexible document and can be changed to suit, if your situation changes.
Find out more information about training plans at the Skills Tasmania website.
TasTAFE will maintain support for you throughout your training. Once you've completed your training with us, you'll receive an official certificate and transcript from TasTAFE as well as an approved completion agreement from the Tasmanian government.
Once you receive these documents, you will have a Nationally Recognised Qualification.
If you’ve completed an Australian Apprenticeship in an industry such as Plumbing, Electrical or Air-conditioning and Refrigeration, you may need to apply for an occupational registration or license to meet safety standards or other regulatory requirements. Each State has different requirements so it is best to speak with your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider for further information.