Wages, entitlements and industrial relations for apprentices and trainees
As the following is general information only, it is recommended you contact Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 to enquire about the wages and entitlements applying to a specific employer or apprenticeship or traineeship.
Wages for apprentices and trainees
The wages and entitlements for apprentices and trainees are provided in the award or agreement they are employed under.
For most apprenticeships or traineeships, in Queensland, the wage is calculated as a percentage of the tradesperson or adult wage, depending on the year or level of the apprentice or trainee. For apprentices and trainees employed by group training organisations, the tradesperson or adult wage may be the wage applicable to tradespersons or adults in the workplace where the apprentice or trainee is employed at the time.
The progression through the various wage levels for each apprenticeship or traineeship can be determined by the attainment of competencies for the apprenticeship or traineeship, the expiry of a period of time (e.g. 1 year), or a combination of both.
If an apprentice or trainee has already completed part of their apprenticeship or traineeship with another employer (or completed a relevant pre-vocational course), they usually will be entitled to credit for the competencies they have attained and the time they have been employed as an apprentice or trainee.
In some industries, minimum wages apply for adult apprentices and trainees. The age when an apprentice or trainee is considered to be an adult may also differ from industry to industry.
Wages for school-based apprentices and trainees
School-based apprentices and trainees are a particular type of employee and are entitled to their own specific wage arrangements, depending on the relevant award or agreement.
Being paid for attending off-the-job training
Apprentices and trainees must be released from work without loss of pay to attend their off-the-job (college) training and in many cases they are entitled to payment of wages for all time they spend in off-the-job training, regardless of when or where it is done (even in some cases at home).
In some cases school-based apprentices and trainees are not entitled to payment of wages for their off-the-job training and in other cases they receive a loading to compensate for not being paid for the time they spend in off-the-job training.
Entitlements
The entitlements for apprentices and trainees are also provided by the relevant award or agreement. Entitlements include such matters as hours of work, overtime, penalty rates, allowances (e.g. tool allowance), leave and termination of employment.
In some cases, school-based apprentices or trainees are not entitled to paid leave, but receive a loading in their pay to compensate. In other cases, they are entitled to a pro rata of the nominal leave entitlements.
Industrial action
Both the Queensland Industrial Relations Act 1999 and the Commonwealth Fair Work Act 2009 treat apprentices and trainees as employees. As a result, apprentices and trainees are free to choose whether or not to become a member of a union and are also free to choose whether or not to participate in lawful industrial action.
Lawful industrial action could be protected or allowed by legislation or an individual instrument. It may also be where there is an imminent risk to the apprentice or trainee's health and safety.