Australian school-based apprenticeships and traineeships allow students to start working on an apprenticeship or traineeship from year 10. You will earn a wage, train with an employer, and work towards an accredited qualification while undertaking your South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).
Step by step guide
1. Choose an apprenticeship
Use:
- Student pathways to help you find careers based on your interests, tell you what to study and how to connect with employers
- Australian Apprenticeships Pathways to research apprenticeship and traineeship options or go straight to the job and training description search.
2. Check SACE points
Search the VET Recognition Register to get an indication of how the apprenticeship or traineeship is counted in the SACE.
3. Get agreement
You'll need agreement to commence an apprenticeship or traineeship from:
- a parent or caregiver, if you're under 18 years
- your school's VET coordinator.
4. Find an employer
Options include:
- check job search sites
- search the register of approved employers to hire apprentices
- talk to businesses in your area
- get in touch with a Group Training Organisation - they'll employ you and place you in a host business.
5. Sign a training contract
Before starting an apprenticeship or traineeship, all parties must sign a training contract.
The contract will outline the rights and obligations that apply for the length of the training period including the number of hours of study and work, and details of your probationary period.
An Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider will help prepare the training contract and training plan. They will talk to the employer, the school, and if you are under 18 to your parent or caregiver.
Find out more - Training contracts, plans and providers.
6. Start the apprenticeship
You'll attend school part of the week, do hands-on training in the workplace and some formal off-job learning through your training provider.
As an apprentice, you start earning a wage straight away.
Your wages are set by industry awards that outline pay rates, conditions, rights and entitlements.
Your industry award may include competency-based wage progression which means you can move up to a higher wage as you achieve skills.
You can reach higher pay once you, your employer and training provider agree you have achieved new competencies.
To find out which award covers you, check your training contract or visit the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Once you finish school, your apprenticeship will become full-time or continue part-time depending on what you and your employer choose to do.
Need help
If you need help contact the Department for Innovation and Skills - chat online or phone 1800 673 097.
