Conditions of employment
The conditions of employment for apprentices and trainees, including hours of work, overtime, holidays, sick leave, superannuation and other allowances, are outlined in the relevant award or agreement.
Unless otherwise stated, you will receive the same employment conditions as other employees working in your occupation.
Since the introduction of the Commonwealth's WorkChoices legislation there are now two government agencies that employers and employees need to refer their enquiries regarding conditions of employment to:
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The Workplace Authority (for employers that are corporations)
Phone 1300 363 264
Website www.workplaceauthority.gov.au
(The website includes an online email service)
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Wageline (for employers that are sole traders or partnerships)
Phone 1300 369 945
Website www.wageline.qld.gov.au
(The website includes an online email service)
Tools
Workers' compensation
Superannuation
Fair treatment
Tools
For some apprenticeships, your employer must provide you with tools. To find out if your apprenticeship requires your employer to supply you with tools, contact the government agency above that is relevant to you.
For more information about funding and incentives, telephone the Queensland Department of Education, Training and the Arts on 1800 210 210 or visit our Funding and incentives section.
Workers' compensation
As an apprentice or trainee, you are entitled to workers' compensation in the same way as other employees. For more information, telephone WorkCover Queensland on 1300 362 128 or visit www.workcoverqld.gov.au.
Superannuation
Employers must pay superannuation into an approved fund for you, as they would for any other employee. Your employer should provide you with the appropriate superannuation paperwork on commencement. If you are under 18 years of age and not working more than 30 hours a week, your employer may not need to pay superannuation for you.
Fair treatment
As an apprentice or trainee, you should be treated the same as any other employee. It's set out in Queensland what is and isnt acceptable - or fair - in regards to the treatment and behaviours that can go on in workplaces.
Workplace harassment is where you are subjected to behaviour that:
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is repeated, unwelcome and unsolicited
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you consider to be offensive, intimidating, humiliating or threatening
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a reasonable person would consider to be offensive, humiliating, intimidating or threatening
In addition, it can be illegal to be treated unfairly because of your:
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sex, relationship or parental status
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race
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age
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impairment
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religious or political beliefs
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union activities
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gender identity
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sexuality
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lawful sexual activity
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pregnancy
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breastfeeding
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family responsibilities
Unfair treatment based on any of these attributes may constitute discrimination, sexual harassment, victimisation or vilification.
If you feel you are being treated unfairly, you need to do something about it:
- keep a diary of the times you feel you have been bullied or harassed - write down as much as you can about what happened and the names of people who would support your claims
- approach the person, or someone you feel comfortable with in charge of that person, and request it stops
- find out if your workplace has someone who is the contact person for bullying or harassment issues - perhaps the workplace health and safety officer - and they can help you address the problem
- talk to your union.
If you feel you are being treated unfairly at work you should take action as soon as possible. This may be difficult, but will provide the best chance to work through the problem.
Telephone the Queensland Department of Education, Training and the Arts on 1800 210 210.
Contact Apprenticeships info 1800 210 210 or Training Queensland 1300 369 935
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