We have developed this fact sheet to provide information and direction on providing assistance to employers considering employing a person with disability under an apprenticeship or traineeship.
This fact sheet covers major points only, so if you are considering encouraging employers to employ apprentices or trainees consult your local Australian Apprenticeship Centre (see Related Links) for further information and guidance.
What are apprenticeships and traineeships?
Apprenticeships and traineeships are employment arrangements where an employer agrees to ensure that specific ‘learning outcomes’ accompany any on the job training. Apprenticeships and traineeships can be part time, full time or school based. Traineeships are Certificate II level courses and apprenticeships are usually Certificate III and Certificate IV level courses.
Traineeships offer a short term of indenture (term of agreement) compared with an apprentice level course. For more detail about specific courses visit the Australian Apprenticeships web site (see Related Links) or call 13 38 73.
Australian school based apprenticeships
Young students in the final years of school may also enter a part time apprenticeship and can retain the benefits of furthering their formal education. This is known as a school based apprenticeship. The apprenticeship arrangements are consistent with all other apprentices, including payment of wages and specific training related to their apprenticeship potentially at TAFE.
Which parties are involved in apprenticeships and traineeships?
The parties involved include:
- an Australian Apprenticeship Centre
- an employer
- an employee
- a registered training organisation
- parent or advocate (if the apprentice or trainee is under 18 years of age).
Australian Apprenticeship Centre
An Australian Apprentice Centre is a government recognised body authorised by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations to administer the process of traineeships and apprenticeships. See our Related Links to locate a local Australian Apprenticeship Centre.
Employers and employees
The employer and employee are both involved in negotiating an apprenticeship or traineeship. Both parties need to agree to the completion of a traineeship or apprenticeship, which involves a lower pay rate to acknowledge the training component of the employment.
Registered training organisation
The registered training organisation is usually a TAFE body however it may also be an industry specific body which is recognised as an accredited provider of the appropriate course. While most apprenticeships have periods of off the job training often traineeships are administered through record books that document learning outcomes against set competency standards. This ensures that all the required training occurs on the job. Trainees are monitored and assessed by an accredited training assessor for the registered training organisation.
What incentives are in place for employers?
All eligible employers are offered financial incentives for commencing a trainee or apprentice. In addition, there are also financial incentives paid to the employer for each apprentice or trainee that completes the apprenticeship training contract. There are additional incentives available dependent on the apprentice or trainee’s circumstances. The Australian Apprenticeships Centre will be able to provide advice about any payments due to eligible employers and their apprentices or trainees.
Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support
For apprentices or trainees with disability there is a specific incentive package known as Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support. The package offers payment of wage subsidies throughout the duration of an apprenticeship or traineeship as an alternative to employers qualifying for commencement and completion payments. The wage subsidies consist of regular claims for payment for the duration of the apprenticeship or traineeship totalling approximately $5,500 per year. These subsidies continue as long as the eligibility criteria continue to be met.
Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support also provides funding for appropriate tutorial or mentor support ($5,500 per year) to assist in attaining competency in theory and practical aspects of the apprenticeship or traineeship. Payment of employer incentives occurs after a waiting period of three months.
The following page provides more information developed for employers, on the financial help available to employers of apprentices or trainees.
What role do Australian Government employment service providers play in establishing apprenticeships and traineeships?
While Australian Government employment service providers have no direct role in the implementation of an apprenticeship or traineeship, you can promote the schemes and assist in the employer’s decision to proceed. Your knowledge of what is available and knowing who the employer can talk to for more advice assists with this process. Ultimately, it is the employer’s right to make the offer of an apprenticeship or traineeship to the potential employee. The employer can also make an offer to convert an existing employee’s job into an apprenticeship or traineeship.
Strategies for establishing successful apprenticeships and traineeships
Although Australian Government employment service providers have no direct role in the implementation of an apprenticeship or traineeship, there are a number of strategies that you could implement to ensure a successful placement. Strategies include:
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understanding how vocational training can be arranged
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supplying accurate and up to date information to job seekers, employers and, when necessary, training providers about the eligibility criteria and entitlement for such an employment arrangement (for example with Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support)
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acting as a broker for the arrangement, ensuring all paperwork is successfully completed and submitted to the relevant parties—this brokership should be done in conjunction with the Australian Apprenticeships Centre, as the lead agency in the arrangement
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providing active support and encouragement to Australian Apprenticeships Centres to facilitate stronger outcomes for people with disability, given that Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support may not be a scheme that all Australian Apprenticeships Centres are familiar or have experience with
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informing the registered training organisation of the need for tutorial support, mentor support or interpreting services and ensuring that the registered training organisation submits the appropriate application for funding to the Australian Apprenticeships Centre for Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support participants
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this application will detail the exact requirements for the job seeker involved in the arrangement, for example, a TAFE provider may request funding to pay for an Auslan interpreter to be present during class time for someone who is deaf—this can be facilitated within the Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support scheme as tutorial support
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ensuring that the doctor or specialist completing the initial Medical and Occupational Report (form 608) under the Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support is briefed in providing accurate information to ensure the provision of appropriate supports throughout the duration of the apprenticeship or traineeship
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assisting the Australian Apprenticeships Centre and the employer in determining suitable workplace modifications, and accessing the Employment Assistance Fund, to assist the apprentice or trainee in the course of their workplace duties.
Ongoing support
Once the apprenticeship or traineeship is in place you should continue to support both the employer and employee as appropriate.
This support will aid with:
- trouble shooting any difficulties that may arise as the competency level of the apprentice or trainee grows
- identifying any workplace modifications that may be required and assisting with accessing the Employment Assistance Fund
- maintaining an ongoing awareness of apprenticeship or traineeship requirements by all stakeholders in the event that there is any turnover of support staff, for example, a change of TAFE disability officer)
- assisting the apprentice or trainee with future employment options if during or after the apprenticeship or traineeship employment ceases.
Group Training Organisations
Group Training Organisations employ apprentices and trainees and then place them with employers, as the host business, for as long as the employer need them.
Group Training Organisations select the right apprentice or trainee for an employer, in addition to:
- handling the paperwork and payroll
- providing ongoing support
- providing flexibility to meet peak workloads and seasonal variations.
For more information about Group Training or to contact a Group Training Organisation visit the Group Training Organisation web site (see our Related Links).