Victorian Traineeship Program

Traineeships are employment arrangements where the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments support and encourage the training of new employees.

Each state and territory determines the areas it will support as traineeships, and in many cases will subsidise the training costs. Some states and ACT offer generous payroll tax advantages for trainees.

The Commonwealth Government supports the program by offering employer incentives for employers engaging and successfully completing apprentices and trainees.

However, only those Traineeships that are on the national priority list are still eligible for Hiring Incentives and other benefits.

Currently, the qualifications offered by ACCM College are not on the National Priority list and do not attract any federal hiring incentives.

The Federal Government is currently conducting a national review to determine if a return to prior incentives should be reconsidered.  We will update this page according if this information changes.

With so many different levels of government involved – traineeships can seem complicated, but they don’t need to be.

ACCM College specialises in traineeship delivery so feel free to call us and get your questions answered.

Apprentice Connect Australia Providers determine the eligibility of employees for traineeships.

The following information is a guide to how the Traineeship system works:

1. The type of work must be declared a traineeship in the state that you wish to employ the trainee.

This government website shows the Traineeships Declared, but the College is happy to work this out for you. 

2. The employee you wish to register in a traineeship must be an Australian Citizen or permanent resident.

They can also be a New Zealand passport holder who has been resident in Australia for more than six months,

Some states will allow visa holders where the specific visa allows employment and traineeships (including Special Category Visa 444 which allows New Zealand Citizens to work and study in Australia for an unlimited period).

3. The employee cannot already hold a formal qualification (but see the many exceptions to this rule below).

 See the NSW Traineeship rules (including for New Zealand Citizens).

Contact us to arrange specific advice from an Apprentice Connect Australia Providers or refer to http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au.

In NSW the Vocational Training Orders that declare a Traineeship are published on the Training Services NSW site.

Previous qualifications are not an automatic disqualifier from being a Trainee and attracting government subsidies and incentives.

While this used to be a factor, the guidelines have changed a great deal in recent years and it's best to check.

The rules vary by State and Territory about what is allowable.

An Apprentice Connect Australia Provider consider and determine the specific qualifications held by any potential trainees, as there are many exceptions and rules.

To be registered as a New Entrant Trainee, a new employee must be registered as a Trainee within three months of commencing work or within 12 months for part-time employees.

Federal Employer incentives (if available) only apply to New Entrant Trainees. 

Payroll Tax exemptions or rebates may also apply based on your State or Territory and specific business situation (please check with your Accountant). 

For most states the training costs for many New Entrant Traineeships is subsidised by the State/Territory Government.

Employees registered as trainees who have been employed longer than the time frames for New Entrant status are called Existing Worker Trainees.

Existing employees can be registered as trainees.

The benefits or reasons to do this vary from state to state:

• Existing Worker traineeships in ACCM College qualification areas do NOT attract Employer incentives in any state.
• Payroll Tax rebates and exemptions do NOT apply to Existing Worker Traineeships.
• In the ACT, South Australia and Tasmania, the training costs for some Existing Worker Traineeships is subsidised. Refer to each state for rules and qualifications subsidised.
• Registration as an Existing Worker Traineeship prohibits the training to be subsidised under other available subsidised training programs offered by the various states.

Traineeships are suitable for all employees, however some State and Territories do have minimum age requirements for Traineeships.

For more details on minimum age requirements please contact your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider or ACCM College for specific information.

Our course materials are based on work place skills, so no matter how old your employees are, they will still benefit from the course.

Quick Summary: The Australian Apprenticeship Incentive Guidelines have changed

Always check here for the most up to date guidance!

For Traineeships that commenced after 30 June 2024

The Federal Incentives only apply to qualifications on the National Skills Priority list.

Currently, the qualifications on offer with ACCM College do not attract federal hiring incentives.

For Traineeships that commenced after 1 July 2022 but BEFORE 30 June 2024:

$1750 at 6 months from “date of commencement” and $1750 at the six month mark after the effective date of the first date.

For Traineeships that commenced prior to 30 June 2022:

$4000 per FT new entrant trainee, $1500 per PT new entrant trainee

For new full-time trainees of $1500 is claimable at the six month mark of their traineeship, and $2500 at completion.

For new part-time trainees the $1500 is claimable at completion of the traineeship.

How are incentives managed?

Incentives are subject to traineeship eligibility criteria, waiting periods and time limits being met. Your Apprenticeship Support Network provider will assess your trainees eligibility for incentives.

The information provided on this page is for general information only and should not be relied upon because it is subject to change and may not reflect your exact circumstances. 

This information is subject to change, always refer to  http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/ for current information.

Current as of Nov 2024

NSW, QLD, WA, TAS and ACT offer an exemption and/or rebate on the wages of New Entrant trainees.

If you are paying or liable to pay Payroll Tax – this can be a significant saving amounting to thousands of dollars.

Current details on Payroll Tax Rebates for your State or Territory can be found here: 

Please click on the picture above to download ACCM College's Payroll Tax Rebate handout.

This will help explain how this financial consideration is calculated and how it can help employers offset the costs of Traineeships.

Contact your Accountant or the relevant government body in your state to determine whether you will attract an exemption or rebate, and at what rate and for what period of time.

The cost of the training provided by the College may be subsidised by your State or Territory Government.

Each State and Territory determines which courses it will subsidise, and to what extent.

Our courses pages will provide an accurate price or estimate.

All State and Territories currently require an employer contribution (NSW is currently offering a Fee-Free Traineeship program).

ACT, South Australia and Tasmania also subsidise the costs for some Existing Worker traineeships.

Taking on a trainee can be a step forward for many businesses to train and grow their key staff for the future. It provides an opportunity for an extra set of hands that is motivated and keen to learn.

Under the Traineeship Training Contract the employer must provide a workplace environment that supports the trainee's learning, and allows approximately 3 hours per week towards learning activities.  ACT requires a higher level of time commitment of 20% of the Trainee's paid work hours.

Employers enrolling their employees as students are responsible to:

• Provide appropriate on-the-job training, support and supervision
• Ensure their employees have access to the full range of work that is required on-the-job to complete the assessment tasks
• Notify the College if there are any matters affecting their ability to complete the qualification due to work related barriers
• Comply with Traineeship requirements if applicable.
• Sign all Workplace Verification Checklists, Assessment Submissions and Training Plans.

As a supervisor you will act as a role model and coach for the trainee. 

The trainee will look to you for guidance and help in learning to do their job.

You also have responsibilities to talk to ACCM College about the trainee's progress.

ACCM College provides you the on-line ability to see their progress 24/7.

Trainees also have obligations under a traineeship arrangement.

The key obligations that affect their formal qualification are:

• Regular and active participation in training
• Seeking help when it is needed
• Making contact with ACCM College as required to undertake skills assessments
• Following ACCM College Policies
• Submitting your original work in assessments
• Participating in any workplace training provided by your employer or ACCM College.
• Attending any training or progress meetings with ACCM College.
• Notifying your employer and ACCM College if you are having any difficulties completing the tasks or workbooks.
• Notifying ACCM College if you leave your employer during the term of a traineeship.
• Meeting the ACCM College Student Participation Standards

Rates of pay are a matter for your relevant Award or the National Training Wage. The Department of Fair Work could assist you if you are unsure.

ACCM College helps you succeed in your studies by giving you the support of a dedicated team of Student Advisers with real life industry experience.

You will have one dedicated Student Adviser who will personally manage your program; and the benefit of a team around them to provide expert assistance in all subject areas.

Students actively comment about the supportiveness of their Student Advisers, in particular their skills at passing on their knowledge and making even the hardest subject easy to understand.

Help is available.  Studying online does not mean you are studying alone.

Our step by step course materials have been written by our own industry experts to give learners the most relevant and useful information needed.

The online resources provide industry insight and understanding by simplifying industry jargon and concepts, and focusing on current real world business practices.

We pride ourselves on providing high quality learner resources that set our learners up for success.

ACCM College students have the opportunity to give us immediate subject feedback and feedback to the assessor upon submission, so we always have the opportunity to become even better.

All of the course materials are accessed and completed online, allowing learners to complete subjects at a time and place that suits.

Webclass login details are provided via email within an hour of enrolling.

On Webclass learners can:

• Access online learning and assessment materials 24/7
• Submit assessments, view assessment results and assessor feedback
• Update contact details

There are no stressful exams.

Our assessments are thorough, but are self-paced and help is only a phone call or email away.

Activities that you are asked to do are practical and based on real life workplace experiences and needs.

You will have a Study Timetable and we will help you keep to it so that you end up with the qualification that you deserve as quickly as is feasible.

ACCM is proactive about being in touch. When you apply to enrol, our Service One team will call you immediately and guide you through to finish the enrolment process. They will also contact you weekly for the first 6 weeks to ensure you are on track and comfortable with online learning.

After your onboarding has been completed a Student Adviser will make contact to introduce themselves as your main point of contact and assistance with your ongoing study.

You will continue to receive regular phone calls, emails and SMS to check your progress and offer help. If we see you getting behind we will increase our efforts to contact you to ensure you are getting the help you need.

Study online - not alone, and be supported every step of the way!

ACCM does not have strict semester dates, giving you the ability to decide when you want to start your study program.

Once your enrolment is approved your personal login details will give you access to your course materials 24/7 and allowing you the flexibility to choose when and where you study.

You can also see your personal Study Timetable and have clear goals of when your subjects are to be completed.

Each vocational course has different workplace needs. We simply confirm that you have in place what is needed and agree on solutions for any issues identified. 

Each trainee has unique needs. We start by getting them to provide us with information so that we can discuss how we can best support them. This also ensures that they are aware of their obligations.

This involves determining the best subjects to suit your work environment. The assessments for each subject are timetabled to be achieved so that the formal component of the traineeship is completed as quickly as possible – allowing the remaining time to be dedicated on further developing workplace skills.

Trainees have immediate access to high quality learning resources that they can access 24/7. This puts them in full control to best use the times at work that are most suitable for their studies. The materials are designed to allow them to do small parts at a time – so they give the best flexibility for a work environment.

We ask trainees to make regular contact with us – but we are also proactive in contacting them.

Trainees can simply give us a phone call when they need help with the learning materials or they can book times in advance.

Many assessments are structured to require trainees to interact with the College by phone so that we know they are making progress on specific subjects.

We recognise that many employers may not be readily available on the phone, so we have created the Employer Dashboard to ensure you have up to date information about your Trainee's progress.

This also ensures that you are fully aware of any progress issues that may impact completion (and completion incentive payment) and have the opportunity to address those issues.

From time to time there are issues with a trainee's progress. You will be advised both informally and formally to ensure that you are aware of the situation, and that all parties are doing what they can to resolve the problem.

In some instances we are required to advise the relevant state Department of Education if there are trainee progress issues. This will only happen after we have tried to resolve the problem directly with you. 

Your trainee will be required to get employer agreement that they meet the workplace requirements of each subject. Please ensure that within your workplace, anyone who may be asked by the trainee to do this has your approval.

Once all required subjects have been completed your trainee is eligible for the award of their qualification and Competency Completion.

Workplace agreement of Competency Completion and the return of a signed copy of the Training Plan is required. We will email these to you.

Please be aware that Competency Completion may affect the rates of pay for any trainees on the National Training Wage. It will also trigger eligibility to any employer completion incentives and at the same time cease any eligibility to payroll tax exemptions or rebates.

The College will report to the relevant Department of Education that the trainee has completed the formal requirements.

In some states this automatically triggers Competency Completion. In others you will receive a letter (that you must reply to) if you wish to delay Competency Completion.