Full-time apprenticeships and traineeships
Eligibility
Anyone can start a full-time apprenticeship or traineeship in Queensland if they fulfil basic eligibility criteria for:
- minimum age (13 years old for most jobs)
- residency (living and working in Queensland)
- visa requirements for workers other than Australian and New Zealand citizens.
Learn the eligibility requirements.
Working hours
A full-time apprentice or trainee must work:
- about 38 hours per week
- regular hours or a regular roster (not casual or irregular).
Training
These working hours include training with your training organisation.
Time to complete
Full-time traineeships typically take 1–2 years, whereas full-time apprenticeships typically take 3–4 years.
These are guidelines because apprenticeships and traineeships are competency-based, not time-based.
Probation
Probationary periods are usually:
- 90 days for apprenticeships
- 30–90 days for traineeships.
They are included as part of the 'total nominal term' of the training contract and apply from the start date of the apprenticeship or traineeship.
Read more about probation.
Wages and entitlements
To find out your wage and entitlements see apprentice and trainee pay rates on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
Combining full-time with part-time apprenticeships and traineeships
It is possible to do a full-time apprenticeship or traineeship with a part-time one if they don't interfere with each other.
Note: You can only receive government (user choice) funding for 1 apprenticeship or traineeship at a time so if you do more than that you will only be funded for the first one.
Changing from part-time to full-time or vice versa
To change your apprenticeship or traineeship from part-time to full-time, or vice versa, follow these steps:
- You and your employer need to agree.
- Notify your Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider.
- You and your employer need to fill out Form ATF-035.