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Government of South Australia - Department of Industry, Innovation and ScienceOffice for Small Family and Business

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Employing an apprentice or trainee

Apprentices and trainees can provide rewards for small business

Apprenticeships or traineeships are a really effective way to inject new ideas, knowledge and energy into your workforce and grow your business.

Apprentices can be a valuable addition to your business.

They bring new energy and new skills to your workplace, and with the right management you can develop a loyal employee who will stay with your business for years to come.

You may be able to access government support to take on an apprentice or trainee. There is state and federal government support available to help you employ and train an apprentice or trainee.

Find government support to help you employ apprentices and trainees.

Looking after your apprentice or trainee

When you take on an apprentice or trainee, you have the same responsibilities to them as you have for your other employees. These include:

  • Pay -Use the Fair Work Ombudsman pay calculator to work out how much you may need to pay your apprentice or trainee.
  • Conditions -Overtime, holidays, superannuation, personal leave. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman pay and conditions tool to work out what conditions your apprentice or trainee may be entitled to.
  • Safe workplace - As the business owner, you have a legal responsibility to ensure your apprentices or trainees, along with all your employees, have a safe workplace and you are managing risks. Go to work health and safety for more information.
  • Training - Apprentices and trainees need training and supervision delivered by a qualified and experienced worker to ensure they learn the skills required for their qualification. Visit South Australian Skills Commission for more information.
Learn more at SafeWork

Where to start

Employing an apprentice or trainee in South Australia takes some simple steps and there’s plenty of support to help you.

  • start by identifying the skills your business needs
  • then register with the South Australian Skills Commission as an employer of apprentices / trainees
  • choose an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider (ACAP)
    • an ACAP will help you find an apprentice, check your eligibility for financial incentives, and facilitate signing the training contract.

Follow the steps to employ an apprentice or trainee in South Australia.

Contact South Australian Skills Commission

Apprentice Connect Australia Provider (ACAP)
Hiring an apprentice or trainee
Employer registration
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