Who is eligible for 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. Read the information below to find out more.
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 credit for existing skills or knowledge. Read the information sheet to learn more about credit for previous experience.
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).
Read the information sheet to learn more about part-time apprenticeships and traineeships.
Minimum age
Entry into an apprenticeship or traineeship is generally limited to individuals who are 16 years of age or older.
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. Read the Parent/guardian responsibilities information sheet to find out more.
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 and search on the apprenticeship or traineeship that interests you.
If you are not sure about minimum age requirements, telephone Apprenticeships Info on 1800 210 210.
Part-time apprenticeships and traineeships
Registered training contracts are available to part-time apprentices and trainees aged under 15 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 11 and 12, to study for their Senior Certificate or equivalent, whilst 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.
Read the information sheet to learn more about the eligibility requirements of interstate apprentices and trainees.
Non-residents of Australia
The following categories of people are eligible to participate in apprenticeships or traineeships:
- Australian citizens
- New Zealand citizens
- people with permanent residency visas
- people with temporary protection visas
- persons who hold temporary spouse or partner visas for subclass 309, 310, 820 or 826
- dependents of persons who hold a Business Long Stay visa under subclass 457
- dependents of persons who hold a Skill Independent Regional visa under subclass 495 (not applicable to Brisbane and Gold Coast regions)
- persons and their spouses and/or dependants of the holder of the Provisional Visa Subclass 163-State/Teritory Sponsored Business Owner
- persons holding a 461 visa is evidence that the holder is a dependent (family member) of a NZ citizen. Immigation has advised that the department will need to check the expiry date to ensure the person can complete the training in the period remaining on the visa.
The right to legal employment in Australia does not guarantee eligibility to participate in apprenticeships or traineeships - for example, the Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417). If you are not certain whether the eligibility criteria for participation in apprenticeships or traineeships have been met, you should contact Apprenticeships Info on 1800 210 210.
For more on residency requirements, read the information sheet on citizenship information.