The Australian Government and state/territory governments provide funding for vocational education and training (VET) in Australia. It is underpinned by:
- high standards of training
- strategically targeted funding
- industry developed training packages.
The ACT Education and Training Directorate (the Directorate) manages funding related to the VET, higher education and adult community education sectors. Australian Traineeships combine practical work with structured learning and lead to a nationally recognised qualification. They provide Australian Trainees with the necessary job experience to get the career they want. Australian Traineeships also provide a range of benefits for businesses. Group training organisations (GTOs) are able to arrange for you to share an Australian Apprentice with another business if you don't have enough work for an ongoing or full-time position.
Benefits of hiring an Australian Trainee
- people trained to your business requirements
- training offered in a range of industries
- training offered at all certificate levels up to advanced diploma
- flexible choice of registered training organisations (RTOs), which provide off-the-job training to your Australian Trainee, with negotiations around timing, location and nature of the training to suit your business needs
- government funding may be available to subsidise the cost of training
- a range of financial incentives for eligible employers
- attainment of nationally recognised qualifications.
Costs of hiring an Australian Trainee
An Australian Apprentice is generally paid a training/apprentice wage under an award because they spend time in training, however, in some cases an apprentice can be paid above award wage. The wages for apprentices vary based on; years of school completed, years of training, the type of Australian Apprenticeship and the industry or occupation. Australian Apprentices are generally treated the same as any other employee in terms of superannuation, workers compensation and any other entitlements or requirements.
Fee Concessions
Australian Apprentices (AAS) who
- hold a current Health Care Card or
- Pension Card, or
- can prove genuine hardship,
are eligible for a concession from the tuition fee under the terms and conditions outlined in the ACT Standards Compliance Guide for Australian Apprenticeships v3.0.
Where the Australian Apprentice is granted a fee concession, ASTC may apply for reimbursement of the full tuition fee, up to a maximum of $500, from the ACT Education and Training Directorate (the Directorate).
Any tuition fee charged by ASTC in excess of $500 will not be reimbursed.
ASTC may offer a fee concession to eligible AAs in certain circumstances.
Where the AA is under 18 years of age this rule will apply if the parent/ guardian holds one of the above cards.
ASTC must submit an Application for Fee Concession Reimbursement form to receive a concession payment reimbursement. Where the application is approved, the RTO will be reimbursed the full tuition fee up to a maximum of $500. Any tuition fee in excess of $500 will not be reimbursed. The RTO may choose to waive the remaining tuition fee for AAs that are eligible for a fee concession.
The concession payment reimbursement to ASTC is generated on approval of the application.
Fee Exemptions
AAS may be exempt from paying fees in certain circumstances.
The tuition fee must not be charged by ASTC where
- the employer is the RTO for its own AA, or
- the AA leaves one employer and recommences within 12 months with another employer, in the same qualification and with the same RTO, or
- the AA is required to go to a different RTO as a result of a change of ASTC process, or
- the student is an ASBA and the school is the RTO.
Application for fee exemption or concession is to be made at enrolment (refer Enrolment Form)
Apprentice/Student Completion Payment
All eligible Skilled Capital students, and eligible Australian Apprentices (who commenced after 1 January 2016), can claim a completion payment of $300 (for Skill Sets the completion payment is $100). To qualify, you must not have completed more than 50% of your training via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Credit Transfer.
For more information, download Information flyer below.
