Useful fact sheets

Useful fact sheets

Appeals on a decision made by the Department

The following fact sheet provides information on the process to appeal a decision made by the Department on a training contract.
 

Automatic upgrade of superseded qualifications

From 9 June 2017, Western Australia’s Training Records System will automatically upgrade a superseded qualification to its replacement qualification on a training contract following the expiration of the applicable transition period.
 

Averaging of hours for part time apprenticeships and traineeships

From 5 May 2023, part time hour arrangements for apprenticeships and traineeships may be averaged over four-week periods. Averaging allows the total hours of work and training undertaken by an apprentice or trainee to be spread over four-week periods to meet the minimum weekly hour requirement.

This arrangement will:

  • support employers operating across multiple jurisdictions;
  • broaden the opportunity for workers who would not otherwise be able to access employment based training; and
  • encourage employee participation in apprenticeships and traineeships and generate employment opportunities.

Casual workers and apprenticeships

Casual workers are not eligible to enter into a training contract for an apprenticeship or traineeship. Please read the fact sheet for further information.
 

Civil Construction Pilot Program

In response to a request from the civil construction industry, training in specified civil construction qualifications in Western Australia were changed from a traineeship to an apprenticeship on 3 September 2021 under a pilot program that aims to increase skills and employment outcomes for individuals and build workforce capacity for WA employers. 

The Civil Construction Pilot Program (CCPP) has been developed to determine whether training under an apprenticeship pathway is more suited to meeting the training needs of the civil construction industry. The CCPP commenced on 3 September 2021, and concludes on 31 October 2025. The program will cover a wage gap created by the transition, ensuring employers and apprentices are not disadvantaged by the transition to apprenticeships.
 

  • A wage subsidy of up to $14,000 will be provided to employers who employ junior apprentices (under 21)
  • Wage gap funding will be available for 50 direct employment mature age civil construction apprenticeships
  • The CTF has increased its base apprenticeship support grant for employers from $8,000 to $10,000

Find out more about how the CCPP can benefit you in our frequently asked questions. 
 

Competency-based training

Apprenticeships and traineeships are delivered in Western Australia under a competency-based training system. This fact sheet explains how competency-based training relates to the training contract.
 

Competency-based wage progression and institutional training

This fact sheet explains the relationship between minimum training and employment requirements for an apprentice or trainee and wage progression.
 

Determining existing worker status (includes calculator)

The level of State Government support provided for trainees can vary, depending on whether the trainee is regarded as a new entrant or an existing worker. This fact sheet explains the guidelines for determine existing worker status for traineeship training contracts. The calculator (Microsoft Excel) can be used to help determine a trainee's status. 
 

Eligibility as an employer

Under a training contract, the employer and the apprentice/trainee must fulfil certain obligations to each other. This means that the employer and the apprentice/trainee cannot be the same person. Additionally, certain employment arrangements are not eligible for a training contract.
 

Hospitality or retail — which traineeship is right?

Choosing a qualification that aligns with the job role is important, because a trainee must have exposure to the relevant industry, and receive targeted training in an environment that aligns with the outcomes and requirements of that qualification. The information in this fact sheet may be useful to determine whether a retail or hospitality traineeship is a match for the work that the trainee will be doing.

Fact sheet: Hospitality or retail?

 

Information for registered training organisations (RTOs)

Parties to a training contract must nominate a registered training organisation (RTO) to deliver training and assessment for the national qualification specified in the training contract. The following information may be useful to an RTO.
 

Recognition of prior learning and credit transfer

If an apprentice or trainee has prior learning and/or experience, this may be recognised. This fact sheet explains how RPL and credit transfer works, and how to go about seeking it.
 

The training plan

The training plan is used to monitor progress and record achieved competencies during the course of a training contract and must be negotiated and agreed to by the employer, the apprentice or trainee, and the registered training organisation. Further information is provided in the following fact sheet.
 

Please note that the requirements of a ‘complying training plan’ are prescribed under Regulation 43 of the Vocational Education and Training (General) Regulations 2009 (WA).

National training plan template

A national training plan template has been developed by the Australian Apprenticeship Reform Working Group and can be used to assist training plan development. In Western Australia it is not mandatory for training providers to follow this template.
 

Trade skills recognition

Trade skills recognition (TSR) is available to candidates seeking formal acknowledgement of their trade skills and knowledge through recognition of prior learning.

TSR applies to all Class A qualifications or Class B qualifications with training type of 'apprentice' with the condition that the qualification can only be obtained by fulfilling the obligations of an apprentice under a training contract as stipulated on the Public Register of Prescribed Vocational Education and Training Qualifications

To notify of an individual’s eligibility for a trade certificate, an RTO may submit an application form for a trade skills recognition trade certificate.
 

Note: New eligibility requirements for TSR come into effect on 1 January 2019. Full details are provided in the following.

The following documents provide further information.
 

What to do when an RTO no longer provides training

During the course of a training contract, the nominated RTO may no longer provide training. In these circumstances, it's important for the employer and apprentice to know their options. These frequently asked questions can provide assistance.
 

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Page last updated February 09, 2024