Supervision standards and ratios have changed to provide flexibility, within a determined ratio, to identify the level of supervision required, based on the skills and experience of the apprentice or trainee.
Employers are responsible for supervising and ensuring oversight and coordination of on-job training of an apprentice or trainee. On-job training must be by a skilled or qualified person in the competencies laid out in the agreed Training Plan. The work should be work relevant and appropriate to the trade or declared vocation.
If an employer delegates or assigns the responsibility of supervising or providing on-job training to any staff member (or contractor), the employer must make sure they understand and adhere to the requirements of the standard.
Please also refer to the Traineeship and Apprenticeship (TAP) Schedule for more information about supervision ratios for each occupation and qualification.
Direct supervision is when the employer closely oversees all work by an apprentice or trainee.
Direct supervision is the standard and can only be changed if the employer can show they've assessed the apprentice or trainee, and have decided they can work under indirect supervision for a specific task.
Supervision will always be direct for high school students or apprentices and trainees under 18 years old, unless a risk assessment determines it is not required.
Indirect supervision means the employer (or supervisor) is allowed to temporarily leave the apprentice or trainee to work on their own but still needs to plan, discuss tasks, observe and check in, as well as check tasks for quality and safety.
During indirect supervision, the employer (or supervisor) must remain in contact so that if the apprentice or trainee runs into a problem or needs to clarify instructions or process, additional support and guidance is there.
The employer (or supervisor) must keep a record of the assessment they made to decide that indirect supervision was right for the apprentice or trainee for a task.
Remote supervision is where the supervisor is not physically based at the site of work for the apprentice or trainee.
This means they are always available and are supervising, but they are in a separate location. Remote supervision still needs to be consistent.
Remote supervision cannot occur without the prior written approval of the South Australian Skills Commission.
The employer must apply the level of supervision that applies to the trade or vocation of the apprentice or trainee — it’s all set out in the Traineeship and Apprenticeship Pathways Schedule.
When supervising apprentices or trainees requiring different supervision levels, the employer must apply the supervision ratio for the highest level.
In some circumstances, the employer can apply for permission from the South Australian Skills Commission to supervise additional apprentices or trainees.
| Supervision level rating | Maximum supervision ratio |
| High | 1:3 - A single supervisor may not supervise any more than 3 apprentices or trainees at one time. |
| Medium | 1:6 - A single supervisor may not supervise any more than 6 apprentices or trainees at any one time. |
| Low | 1:10 - A single supervisor may not supervise any more than 10 apprentices or trainees at any one time. |
Your employer must apply the level of supervision that applies to your trade or vocation.
Learn more about supervision ratios and how to determine yours — it’s all set out in the Traineeship and Apprenticeship Pathways (TAP) Schedule.