FAQs for employers
For employers wishing to employ a school-based apprentice or trainee, you will find more FAQs in the School-based section of this website.
I have an employee who would benefit from becoming an apprentice or trainee - are they eligible?
Is there a probationary period for apprentices and trainees?
What is competency-based training?
Who's who in apprenticeships and traineeships?
When does my apprentice progress to the next wage level?
In what circumstances do I need to tell the Queensland Department of Education and Training that something has taken place?
What happens to my apprentice or trainee if I sell my business?
How do I complete the apprenticeship or traineeship and is there a limit to how quickly the apprenticeship or traineeship can be completed?
My apprentice/trainee has just walked out/quit. What should I do? (Includes information on how to cancel an apprenticeship or traineeship)
I have an employee who would benefit from becoming an apprentice or trainee - are they eligible?
Yes, as long as they meet the Department of Education and Training's eligibility requirements to participate in an apprenticeship or traineeship in Queensland.
If your employee has worked for you, continuously, for longer than three months full time or 12 months part time/casual, prior to the commencement of the apprenticeship or traineeship, they will be considered to be an 'existing worker'. Existing workers are eligible to participate in apprenticeships and traineeships however, their funding for training may be reduced. This should be discussed with the training organisation who will train your employee.
Is there a probationary period for apprentices and trainees?
Each apprenticeship and traineeship has a set probationary period which provides an opportunity for you and your apprentice or trainee to work together and decide whether to continue with the apprenticeship or traineeship. During this time you should assess your apprentice or trainee's work ethic, reliability and potential to succeed in the chosen apprenticeship or traineeship.
As a general rule, probationary periods for apprenticeships last 90 calendar days and traineeships last 30 calendar days. Specific details on the probationary period are available under the individual apprenticeship or traineeship in the Queensland Training Information Service (QTIS).
To learn more, read the Probationary periods information sheet.
What is competency-based training?
Most apprenticeships and traineeships in Queensland are competency-based. This means that the time to complete a competency-based apprenticeship or traineeship is flexible. For example, where an apprenticeship used to take four years to complete, an apprentice or trainee can now complete it sooner, depending on when they can demonstrate the required skills (competencies).
Who's who in apprenticeships and traineeships?
There are a number of parties you should be aware of in the Queensland apprenticeship and traineeship system. Find out the parties and their roles in the apprentices section of this website.
When does my apprentice progress to the next wage level?
Unfortunately, the Department of Education and Training does not have the authority to provide information on wages, wage progression and conditions of employment. For information about apprenticeship and traineeship wages and entitlements contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.
In what circumstances do I need to tell the Queensland Department of Education and Training that something has taken place?
As an employer of an apprentice or trainee, you are legally obliged to notify the Department of Education and Training within 14 days of any of the following events taking place:
- amendment, temporary assignment or cancellation of the training contract
- sale or disposal of the business
- dissolution or change of a business partnership
- if you believe that your apprentice or trainee is not making reasonable progress in the apprenticeship or traineeship
- if you believe that your apprentice or trainee will not complete their training within the timeframe shown in the training plan.
Read the Employer responsibilities information sheet to learn more about when you should notify the department.
What happens to my apprentice or trainee if I sell my business?
If you sell your business, and the new owner agrees to continue employing and training your apprentice or trainee in the apprenticeship or traineeship, the training contract can be transferred to the new owner. Read the stakeholder reference sheet on sale or transfer of business (statutory assignment) for more information, including the process for transferring the training contract.
You may also need to contact your Australian Apprenticeships Centre so they can make changes to their internal records.
How do I complete the apprenticeship or traineeship and is there a limit to how quickly the apprenticeship or traineeship can be completed?
The apprenticeship or traineeship is complete once you, your apprentice or trainee and your training organisation agree that all the requirements of the training plan have been fulfilled.
While there is no formal limit, how quickly an apprenticeship or traineeship can be completed will depend on a range of factors, including the competence and skills of the apprentice or trainee, your ability to provide work experience in the range of competencies required and the ability of the training organisation to provide flexible training programs.
If applicable, the expected duration of the apprenticeship or traineeship should be discussed with the parties at the time of the induction and be reviewed as monitoring takes place during the apprenticeship or traineeship.
Information on how to complete the apprenticeship or traineeship can be found in the business section of this website.
My apprentice/trainee has just walked out/quit. What should I do?
For whatever reason you wish to cancel the apprenticeship or traineeship, you should be aware that the training contract you have entered into with your apprentice or trainee is legally binding.
This means that, once the training contract for the apprenticeship or traineeship has been registered and the probation for the apprenticeship or traineeship has expired, you can't just fire your apprentice or trainee, and likewise, the apprentice or trainee can't just 'quit'. If your apprentice or trainee has quit/walked out of work, please contact Apprenticeships Info on 1800 210 210 to discuss the issue with a Department of Education and Training officer.
Cancellation of a training contract should only be considered as a last resort once all efforts have been made to resolve the issues that threaten the apprenticeship or traineeship. Officers from the Department of Education and Training are available to help work through any issues you and your apprentice or trainee may have, through Apprenticeships Info on 1800 210 210.
To learn more about how to cancel your contract, see the business section of this website.