Frequently Asked Questions

Vocational Education & Training (VET) provides you with the skills and knowledge that are relevant and required for your chosen career pathway to get you job-ready. Vocational Education & Training focuses on the technical skills and capabilities you'll need on the job. Completing Vocational Education & Training will give you nationally recognised qualifications that will benefit and advance you in your chosen career pathway. 

Becoming an apprentice offers the best of both work and study. Apprentices study, train on the job and earn an income all whilst working towards becoming a qualified tradesperson within your selected career. Within traditional trade areas such as Automotive, Plumbing, Constructions, Hairdressing and Beauty, an apprenticeship can take normally between three to four years to complete. Yes, this may seem like a long time, but while you are apprentice you are gaining the skills and knowledge you require to become a successful fully qualified individual. 

Study area examples.

- Automotive

- Baking and commercial cookery 

- Hairdressing

- Beauty 

- Building and Construction

- Carpentry 

- Electrotechnology 

- Plumbing 

A Traineeship is very similar to an Apprenticeship. A Traineeship concentrates more on Vocational or job areas such as Hospitality, business administrations and information technology. A Traineeship is shorter than an Apprenticeship, commonly going for one to two years. Throughout that time, Trainees will learn the skills and knowledge required for their industry, Gain on the job experience and also most importantly get paid to do so. 

When a trainee has successful completed their Traineeship they will receive (At minimum) a Certificate II qualification within their chosen industry. 

Study area examples

- Business Administrations 

- Hospitality

- Information Technology

- Leadership & Management 

- Engineering 

- Cooking

- Health Services 

• Apprenticeships or Trainees are open to anyone within the legal working age.
• As a potential Apprentice or Trainee, you do not require to have any school certifications or any other qualifications.
• Year 10, 11 and 12 school students, School leavers, people re-entering into the workforce and professionals.
• There is no age limit to become an Apprentice or Trainee, anyone and everyone can start a new career as an Apprentice or Trainee.

- Visit https://www.fairwork.gov.au/find-help-for/young-workers-and-students/minimum-working-age to find the minimum working age in your state or territory. 

A Registered Training Organisation (RTO) are responsible for delivering nationally recognised training to the Vocational Education & Training Sector. 

Registered Training Organisations (RTO) are the only organisations in the Australian Vocational Education & Training system authorised to deliver the following.

- Train, deliver and assess National Recognised Training.

- Issue nationally recognised Qualifications.

- Apply for Government funding to to provide Vocational Education & Training Services.

A Trade Support Loan is available to all eligible Apprentices to assist in supporting everyday costs while completing their apprenticeship. The best part about a Trade Support Loan is that Apprentices will not have to make repayments on the load until they are earning an income above the minimum repayment threshold. 

- Minimum Repayment Threshold: $51,550.00 for 2023-2024

Another benefit of successfully completing an Apprenticeship is that individuals will receive a 20% discount on their loan amount when it comes time to make repayments. 

Australian Apprentice Support Network (AASN) is the first point of contact for all queries regarding Apprenticeships. If you are looking to start an Apprenticeship, this cannot be done without having a Apprentice Support Network Provider. 

Apprenticeship Support Network Providers give Apprentices personalised advice pre-commencement all the way through till completion. 

Apprenticeships and Traineeships are not for everyone, Network providers also help individuals find alternative pathways and assist in start your journey towards a successful future.