Are you eligible to do an apprenticeship or traineeship?
Just about anyone who wants to combine training with working in a paid job is eligible for an apprenticeship or traineeship.
Existing employees
If you are already employed, you can still do an apprenticeship or traineeship. For example, you could use an apprenticeship to move from trades assistant to apprentice to tradesperson. You may even reduce the length of your apprenticeship or traineeship by receiving recognition of prior learning or credit transfers.
If you work part-time, you can undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship if the relevant industrial award or agreement has provision for this to happen. Under a part-time apprenticeship or traineeship, you must work a minimum of 15 hours per week, averaged over each four-week period for the duration of the apprenticeship or traineeship.
Casual or daily hire employees are not eligible to undertake part-time apprenticeships or traineeships, as there is no guaranteed pattern of work (which is a requirement of a training contract).
To find out more, read the Part-time and multiple training contracts information sheet.
Existing employees entering in an apprenticeship or traineeship may be subject to the Existing Workers Policy which may affect funding for off-the-job training. Read the Existing workers stakeholder reference to find out more about the existing workers policy. To find out how this policy may affect your funding for training, go to the User Choice section of the Training website.
Minimum age
The minimum age for entry into a apprenticeship or traineeship is generally limited to individuals who are 16 years of age or individuals who have completed Year 10 schooling.
If you are under 18 years of age at the start date of your apprenticeship or traineeship, your parent or guardian must sign the training contract, amongst other responsibilities.
Queensland legislation applies age restrictions to particular apprenticeships and traineeships. For more information on the minimum age requirement for a particular apprenticeship or traineeship, refer to the Queensland Training Information Service (QTIS) and search on the apprenticeship or traineeship that interests you.
To find out more, read the Age requirements and restricted callings information sheet.
Part-time apprenticeships and traineeships
Registered training contracts are available to part-time apprentices and trainees aged under 16 years who are still at school. If you have left school, you must supply written evidence of special permission granted by the Minister for Education.
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships allow students, typically years 10, 11 and 12, to study for their Senior Certificate or equivalent while at the same time undertaking government approved and accredited training qualifications as paid employees.
Interstate apprentices and trainees
To be registered as a Queensland apprentice or trainee, your workplace address must be in Queensland. Contact the relevant training authority in the state where you work to register the apprenticeship or traineeship.
To find out more, read the Interstate apprentices and trainees information sheet.
Non-residents of Australia
As a general rule, only Australian citizens and New Zealand citizens who have entered Australia on a valid passport, have unrestricted rights to apprenticeships and traineeships in Australia. Any other person wanting to participate in an apprenticeship or traineeship in Australia must have a visa allowing employment.
The right to legal employment in Australia does not guarantee eligibility to participate in apprenticeships or traineeships; for example holders of a Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) are not eligible. To find out if your visa allows you to participate in apprenticeships or traineeships in Queensland, read the Citizenship, residency and visa information sheet or contact Apprenticeships Info on 1800 210 210.
