An Australian Apprentice is usually paid a training wage that is less than the average award wage.
However, many employers choose to pay above the stipulated minimum wage to ensure they:
Building and Construction General On-site Award 2010
Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2010
Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010
Restaurant Industry Award 2010
You must pay Australian Apprentices for the time they spend training. The wage level will vary according to:
As Australian Apprentices become more skilled and achieve the competencies detailed in the training plan, they progress through each wage level. Click here to read more about the major myths of Apprenticeships and Traineeships.
Awards set out minimum wages and conditions of employment for specified employees, including those of Australian Apprentices.
Awards may include:
Awards may be federal or state:
Federal Awards apply in more than one state or territory. All federal awards have a clause that identifies who is bound by the award, for example employers who are members of the Australian Hotels Association or Master Builders Association.
State Awards are made by state or territory industrial tribunals. These are similar in content to federal awards, and also set out minimum pay and conditions of employment for groups of employees. They cover all employers and employees in the industry or occupation to which the award relates.
More than one award may apply to an employee but provide different parts of the overall employment package.
You need to determine which award or awards cover your employee. The easiest way to find out is to call WageLine in your state or territory.
With other costs such as superannuation, workers’ compensation, entitlements or requirements, you will generally treat an Australian Apprentice the same as all other employees.
Although some state and territory governments offer exemptions on workers’ compensation and/or payroll tax.
