Part-time and multiple training contracts
ATIS-021
Version 4.1
May 2013
Part-time and multiple training contracts (PDF, 93KB)
It is possible to be employed as an apprentice or trainee on a part-time basis and/or to be employed as an apprentice or trainee in more than one training contract simultaneously.
Part-time apprenticeships and traineeships
To be eligible for a part-time apprenticeship or traineeship the following criteria must be met:
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the working hours (including supervised training) averages a minimum 15 hours per week* over each four week period for the length of the training contract
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the apprentice or trainee has regular working hours and is rostered to work on a regular basis
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the relevant industrial relations instrument permits part-time employment.
*For apprentices and trainees with a disability, fewer than 15 hours per week may be approved in some cases.
Please note employees engaged on a casual basis can not be approved to undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship.
The nominal term of a part-time apprenticeship or traineeship is double that of the full-time equivalent. E.g. an apprenticeship that has a nominal term of four years full-time will have a nominal term of eight years part-time.
A part-time training contract can be changed to a full-time training contract if all parties agree. Parties must apply to the Department of Education, Training and Employment (DETE) for approval of this change. ATF-016 Major amendment form can be used for this purpose.
If an employer is temporarily unable to provide a part-time apprentice or trainee the minimum 15 working hours per week, the employer can apply for permission to stand down the apprentice or trainee, or make written application to employ them for less than the averaged 15 hours per week.
Electrotechnology apprenticeships
Due to restrictions, employers considering employing a part-time electrotechnology apprentice must apply to Energy Skills QLD (ESQ). Contact ESQ (07) 3721 8800 to discuss policy requirements.
Multiple training contracts
A number of possible scenarios involving multiple training contracts with the same or different employers exist. These possibilities include:
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a part-time apprenticeship plus a part-time traineeship
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two part-time apprenticeships or traineeships
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a full-time apprenticeship plus a part-time traineeship or visa versa
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two school based apprenticeships or traineeships.
If a registered apprentice or trainee who is currently employed applies to undertake a second apprenticeship or traineeship in the same calling, consideration must be given to the first training contract, to ensure that the second training contract does not adversely affect the first.
Written consent from the original employer is required before the second apprenticeship or traineeship can be registered.
If the second training contract is for an apprenticeship or traineeship that is different from the first, the written consent of the original employer is not required.
Government contributions and multiple training contracts
Apprentices and trainees in certain qualifications may receive a government contribution towards the cost of their training. This is called User Choice funding.
It is important to note that an apprentice or trainee can only receive one government contribution for a User Choice funded qualification at any single point in time. In circumstances where a student undertakes more than one apprenticeship or traineeship at the same time, the student will only receive the government contribution for the initial registered training contract.
Visit the Training Queensland website to find out more about User Choice funding.
For further information
Phone Apprenticeships Info on 1800 210 210.
