Information for employers

• We can assist you to understand and navigate the different aspects of the training system.
• Contact us if you would like further information or assistance about a training contract or resolving an issue with your apprentice or trainee.

An overview of key resources and agencies is available below:

• Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) – the national regulator for Australia's VET sector, including international education.
• National VET register - the official VET register (training packages, qualifications, accredited courses, units of competency, skill sets and Registered Training Organisations).
• ​Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) – the national quality assurance and regulatory agency for higher education, including international education.
• South Australian Skills Commission - responsible for the regulation of traineeships and apprenticeships in South Australia
  phone 1800 673 097 or email skillscommission@sa.gov.au.
• Skills Register - a state register of employers approved to undertake training contracts with apprentices and trainees.
• Australian Apprenticeships Pathways - find out about how to employ an apprentice or trainee, who is involved, financial support and step by step guides.
• Adult and Community Education - community learning programs that support members of the community to increase employability opportunities or life skills.

The Traineeship and Apprenticeship Pathways (TAP) Schedule provides a consolidated list of occupations and qualifications that have been declared under the South Australian Skills Act 2008 as trades (apprenticeships) or declared vocations (traineeships) in South Australia.

In addition, the TAP Schedule outlines the supervision ratio for apprentices and trainees.

Learn more

If you are considering employing an apprentice or trainee for the first time, or you are a current registered employer, we can assist you to achieve a successful apprenticeship outcome.

Apprenticeships and Traineeships are under a training contract agreed to by:

• a trainee or apprentice (a parent or guardian may also be a party to the contract if the apprentice or trainee is under 18)
• a registered employer
• a Registered Training Organisation (to develop an agreed Training Plan).

To employ an apprentice or trainee you must be a registered employer. This means that you must be registered with the South Australian Skills Commission.

Step-by-step guide for employers hiring an apprentice or trainee in South Australia is available:

• Hire an apprentice

Need assistance? We can provide you with information about:

• Who does what under an apprenticeship or traineeship
• How to find out about financial assistance and access wage advice
• What you need to know about employing an apprentice / trainee
• Independent help and support available to you to deal with any problems that occur during the life of the training contract both on and off-the-job.

Employer registration

We aim to help you to have a positive training experience and a successful apprenticeship, so when employing a trainee or apprentice, these are some of the key points and resources to consider:

Training Contract

• check the probationary period for the training contract as this may differ from other employee arrangements
• are you aware there are different rules to cancel the training contract outside of the probationary period?
• do you know how to make changes to your training contract, such as extensions?
• have you talked to the prospective apprentice or trainee about whether they have any prior experience or formal qualifications?
• make sure you know your obligations to supervise and train an apprentice or trainee on-the-job and have processes in place to manage their performance under the training contract

Helpful Resources:

• Making changes to your training contract - forms
• Apprentice Connect Australia Provider (ACAP)
• A step by step guide on how to employ an apprentice

Industrial Arrangements

• know your employer responsibilities in relation to wages, entitlements, payslips, superannuation and WHS
• have you checked your Award or industrial agreement to know your obligations for the payment of training fees for apprentices and trainees?
• help your apprentice or trainee to understand your local workplace practices, such as how to apply for leave, use of business equipment and what to expect during the apprenticeship or traineeship

More Information:

• Fair Work Ombudsman
• SafeWork SA
• ask your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider
• speak with your industry association

Course Requirements

• have you talked to the Nominated Training Organisation (NTO) about your role in monitoring and supporting your apprentice or trainee?
• have you all agreed to the Training Plan?
• discuss with your apprentice or trainee how their course of study will be assessed by the training organisation, whether in the classroom or in your workplace.

Our services include:

• dispute resolution services and negotiation to help resolve disputes between your business, a training provider or an apprentice or trainee to support training contract completions
• tailored advice on how to deal with problems that might arise from a training program, including training associated with an apprenticeship or traineeship
• information about the South Australian Employment Tribunal (SAET) process for traineeships and apprenticeships if an issue cannot be resolved.

If you have an issue with your apprentice or trainee, please try resolving directly with them first. If you are unable to resolve, we can provide support.

Where a resolution cannot be achieved, all parties to the training contract may be referred to the South Australian Employment Tribunal.

support for employers Lodge a dispute

Did you know that there are State and national awards for businesses to be recognised for high level achievement and their contribution to the training sector, including:

• South Australian Training Awards
• Australian Training Awards presented by the Australian Government

• Either party to a training contract can make an application to SAET if there is a dispute between the parties, or one of the parties has a grievance.
• Visit the SAET website for more information.
• Before lodging an application to SAET, contact the South Australian Skills Commission who may be able to help resolve your issue.

Support for employers

Has your apprentice or trainee achieved competency in the workplace and completed the training component of their qualification?

You can now apply to formally complete their traineeship or apprenticeship.

How to apply

You can apply to complete a traineeship or apprenticeship when:

• you agree competency has been achieved in the workplace, and

• the nominated training organisation certifies they have completed the qualification specified in the training contract.

Hint: Make sure the training provider’s certification matches the qualification that’s set out in the training contract. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to apply for a change of qualification first.

The easiest way to apply is to submit an application via mySkillsSA.

Access mySkillsSA

Employers and apprentices/trainees can sign in to mySkillsSA and complete an application.

Or you and the apprentice or trainee can complete the Training Contract Completion Application form (PDF) and email to the South Australian Skills Commission.

Prepare to celebrate

The South Australian Skills Commission will let you know if your application was successful. For apprentices, their Trade Certificate will be issued and sent to the address listed in application.