Australian Apprenticeships are ended either by completion of the course of training or, in extreme circumstances, by the cancellation of the Australian Apprenticeship/Traineeship Training Contract.

Completion of the training contract

Once an Australian Apprenticeship has been successfully completed, your Australian Apprentice is awarded a nationally recognised qualification.

Prior to the completion of the Australian Apprenticeship you will be notified of the exact end date of the training contract by the state or territory training authority (STA). This notification will outline the completion process that you need to follow in each state or territory.

The authority will also notify the registered training organisation (RTO).

The RTO must confirm that you have delivered all the required on-the-job training and that they have delivered all the necessary off-the-job training. Your RTO must also confirm that the Australian Apprentice has successfully completed all units of competency to achieve the qualification.

Once all requirements for completion of the Australian Apprenticeship have been met, the state or territory training authority will issue the Australian Apprentice with a certificate listing the units of competency and the qualification achieved.

Your Australian Apprenticeships Centre will advise and help you with the completion process and administer the completion incentive that you are entitled to.

Attainment of the qualification before completion date of the training contract

Should the Australian Apprentice complete all the on and off-the-job required training and attain the qualification prior to the end date of the contract, the contract still remains binding.

Training contracts are for a specified period which is indicated on the contract and signed by both you and your Australian Apprentice. It is possible to complete the contract early if there is mutual agreement, otherwise both parties continue to be bound by its terms.

Cancellation of the training contract

A cancellation of the training contract can be made at the request of either the employer or employee prior to the end date of the contract.

If the Australian Apprenticeship is still within the stipulated probation period, the contract can be legally cancelled by either party giving one week's notice.

After the probation period, you may request to cancel the contract if:

• your business ceases operations
• there is a substantial change to your business circumstances and you are no longer able to fulfill your obligations
• your Australian Apprentice is guilty of misconduct.

Offences by your Australian Apprentice which constitute misconduct include:

• being absent from work without consent
• not attending or participating in training required by the training plan
• causing serious damage or risk to your business, reputation or staff
• theft, assault and fraud
• being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at work.

The Australian Apprentice can request to have the training contract cancelled if:

• you have relocated your business to a place that is unreasonable for the Australian Apprentice to travel to
• there is a substantial change in their circumstances affecting their capacity to work, for example an allergy or physical condition.

If you are able to reach a mutual and voluntary agreement to cancel the contract you must both complete and sign the required cancellation form. Contact your local Australian Apprenticeships Centre for assistance and forward the form to the relevant STA.

If you can't reach a mutual agreement to cancel the training contract,  your state or territory Industrial Relations agency has its own procedures. The relevant committee or tribunal will investigate the situation, and either dismiss the complaint or attempt to resolve it.