Wages and conditions
The Department of Employment and Industrial Relations provides information on wage rates and employment conditions for trainees and apprentices.
The service is offered through the department's Wageline Information Centre and includes information for school-based apprentices and trainees.
School-based apprentices and trainees may be employed under state or federal awards, agreements or other employment arrangements.
As a result, there may be varying wage rates and employment conditions that apply, depending on the type of apprenticeship or traineeship that is being undertaken.
The following outlines some basic information about how school-based apprentices and trainees can be paid and should be used as a guide only.
For more detailed information about school-based apprenticeship and traineeship (SATs) wages and employment conditions, contact Wageline on 1300 369 945 or visit the Wageline apprenticeship and traineeship website.
Wages
Tools
Superannuation
Workers' compensation
Fair treatment
Wages
School-based apprentices and trainees are paid only for the time spent at work. Their wage is based on a percentage of the relevant full-time apprentice or trainee wage, and will be calculated on the number of hours worked each week.
School-based apprentices and trainees are not paid for the time spent attending training arranged by the supervising registered training organisation.
School-based apprentices and trainees do not receive entitlements to sick leave, recreation leave (holidays) or public holidays. However, they are paid an extra amount on top of their wage in lieu of these entitlements.
School-based apprentices and trainees must work and be paid for a minimum of 48 days in each year of the school-based apprenticeship or traineeship.
If school-based apprentices or trainees are employed by a group training organisation, it will usually pay the wages and provide the entitlements.
Tools
For some school-based apprenticeships, the employer must provide tools to the apprentice. For information on which apprenticeships require the employer to supply tools, telephone Wageline on 1300 369 945 or visit the Wageline apprenticeship and traineeship website.
The industrial order outlining the Supply of tools to apprentices [PDF 24kb] is also available online.
The Tools For Your Trade Initiative, funded by the Australian Government, provides up to $800 for the purchase of trade tools for eligible school-based apprentices.
For more information regarding Tools For Your Trade telephone 1800 557 875 or visit the Tools For Your Trade website.
Superannuation
Employers must pay superannuation into the school-based apprentice's or trainee's chosen fund as they would for any other employee. More information on superannuation payments is available from the Australian Taxation Office.
Workers' compensation
School-based apprentices and trainees are entitled to workers' compensation in the same way as any other employee. For more information, contact WorkCover Queensland on 1300 362 128, or visit the Workcover website.
Fair treatment
School-based apprentices and trainees should be treated the same as any other employee.
All types of bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable in the workplace.
If you would like further information about fair treatment in the workplace contact Apprenticeships Info on 1800 210 210 or email your query to Apprenticeships Info at apprenticeshipsinfo@qld.gov.au
For more information, read the Employer's Guide to Workplace Bullying or A Worker's Guide to Workplace Bullying or telephone the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations on 1300 369 915.
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