Know Your Rights: Traineeships

What is a traineeship?

A traineeship is a formal training program that combines paid work with study to get you a certificate-level qualification in industries like IT, business administration, hospitality, retail, or community services.

You’ll get:

• Training with a registered training organisation (like TAFE or trade school)
• Practical work experience on the job
• A real qualification at the end

Duration: Usually takes 1-2 years to complete full-time

Getting started with your traineeship

How to sign up

You can start a traineeship with:

• Your current employer, or
• A new employer

Important: Your traineeship must be registered with your state or territory training authority. You’ll sign a training contract with your employer that sets out your rights and responsibilities.

Timeframes for registration vary by state, and sometimes the period before registration can count towards your traineeship.

Types of employment

Trainees are usually employed:

• Full-time, or
• Part-time

Still in high school? You can do a school-based traineeship that combines work, training and your secondary education.

Minimum age: The minimum legal age to start work depends on your state or territory.

Your pay and entitlements for trainees

Your pay rates and entitlements depend on your industry award. Awards set minimum pay rates that may increase as you progress through your traineeship.

Important: Make sure you check your industry award to know exactly what you should be getting paid and what you’re entitled to.

Who pays for training?

Training costs and fees

It depends on your training contract.

Get advice: If you have questions about training costs in your contract, seek independent advice or talk to your union.

Ending your traineeship

Understand your employment period upfront

Before you start, make sure you understand:

• Is your job ongoing, or just for the duration of your training contract?
• What are the notice requirements?

Clear communication from the start prevents problems later!

Notice of termination for a traineeship

You’re usually entitled to notice if your employment is being terminated, unless:

• You were employed for a specific period (like the duration of your training contract), or
• You were dismissed for serious misconduct

If you want to quit before finishing your qualification, you may need to give notice. Check your contract and award.

Example: Jasmine is working for a logistics company as a trainee while completing a Certificate III in Business Administration. Her 2-year contract states she’ll be employed for the duration of her traineeship. When the 2 years ends, her employment finishes with no notice required – because it was a fixed-term contract.

Other things to consider during your traineeship

Your training contract or RTO might have additional requirements when a traineeship ends. Check these carefully!

Get help and advice as a trainee

State and territory training authorities 

For questions about traineeships:

• Australian Apprenticeships: 13 38 73
• ACT – Skills Canberra: (02) 6205 8555
• NSW – Skills NSW: 13 28 11
• NT – Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade: (08) 8935 7707
• QLD – Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training: 1800 210 210
• SA – SA Skills Commission: 1800 006 488
• TAS – Skills Tasmania: 1800 655 846
• VIC – Apprenticeships Victoria: 13 18 23
• WA – Apprenticeship Office WA: 13 19 54

Join your union

Why join?

• Get expert advice on your rights, pay rates and entitlements
• Support if there’s a dispute with your employer
• Help understanding your award and training contract
• Someone in your corner throughout your traineeship

Union members know their rights and have backup when things go wrong.

Traineeships are a great way to earn while you learn – but only if you’re being treated fairly and paid properly. Your union can help make sure that happens.

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