Victorian Traineeship Program

Key Facts About Traineeships
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• What are Traineeships and What Incentives are Available?

  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.

  With so many different levels of government involved – traineeships can seem complicated, but they don’t need to be. The College specialises in traineeship delivery so feel free to call us and get your questions answered.

• Eligibility for Traineeships and Declared Traineeships By State

  Apprenticeship Network Providers (previously called Australian Apprenticeship Centres) 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 Apprenticeship Network Provider 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.

• Impact of Past Qualifications

  The employee cannot already hold a formal qualification but there are many exceptions to this rule.

  It is best to let an Australian Network Provider consider the specific qualifications held by any potential trainees, as there are many exceptions and rules. In general:

  • A Certificate I level does not affect eligibility.
  • Completed qualifications at Certificate II to IV level attained more than seven years ago, that led to a different occupational outcome than the current Traineeship, do not affect eligibility for payments.
  • Qualifications completed while the Trainee was at school will not affect payments as long as the traineeship is in either a different occupational outcome or is a higher level qualification.
  • Past registration in an apprenticeship or traineeship that was not completed normally will not affect eligibility, but may impact employer incentives.

   

• New Entrant Trainees

  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.

  Employer incentives apply to New Entrant trainees. Details are shown later.

  Payroll Tax exemptions or rebates might also apply. Please call us if you would like to know more.

  For some states the training costs for many New Entrant traineeships is subsidised. Refer to each state for rules and qualifications subsidised.

• Existing Worker Traineeships

  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 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, 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.
• For Employees of Any Age

  Traineeships are suitable for all employees no matter what their age is. Our course materials are based on work place skills, so no matter how old your employees are, they will still benefit from the course.

• Traineeship Employer Incentives

  Quick Summary: $4 000 per FT new entrant trainee; $1 500 per PT new entrant trainee

  For new Full time trainees of $1 500 is claimable at the six month mark of their traineeship, and $ 2 500 at completion.

  For new Part time trainees the $1 500 is claimable at completion of the traineeship.

  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. Refer to  http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/ for current information.

• Payroll Tax Rebate Benefits

  NSW, QLD, ACT and WA 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 and downloadable brochures are available in the Payroll Tax section below.

• State Government Support to Pay for the Training

  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 require an employer contribution.

  ACT and WA also subsidise the costs for some Existing Worker traineeships.

• Employer Obligations Under 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.

  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.
• The Role of a Supervisor of a Trainee

  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 the College about the trainee's progress. The College will send you regular reports showing formal results.

• Trainee Rates of Pay

  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.

• Trainee Obligations

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