The average apprenticeship is four years. Some trades, such as bricklaying, are a three year apprenticeship.

In Victoria you need to be 15 years old to start an apprenticeship.

It is not compulsory to have completed VCE, but many employers prefer it. If you have completed year 12 however, you will receive slightly higher wages than if not.

Doing a pre-apprenticeship isn’t mandatory but can be beneficial. Doing a pre-apprenticeship can give you an idea if a full apprenticeship is right for you, shows employers that you have some existing skills in place and can take some time off the amount of schooling you do in your apprenticeship.

You do not need a driver’s license to be taken on as an apprentice.  However with locations of jobs constantly changing over the duration of an apprenticeship it makes things much easier for everyone if you do have your license. Many employers will prefer you to have your license and access to a vehicle.

Yes – this is usually done at a TAFE/training provider and is often called ‘trade school’. The average schooling is 24 weeks over the time of your apprenticeship. This will be less if you have completed a pre-apprenticeship.

All fees charged by your TAFE/training provider (including the cost of all prescribed textbooks for the apprenticeship) which you have paid for, must be reimbursed by your employer. Your employer may instead pay your training and materials fees directly to your training provider.

The pay will be different for each trade and each year level. You can calculate your pay by visiting the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) by clicking here.

Trade Support Loans are available to eligible apprentices who may need assistance with everyday costs whilst completing their apprenticeship. If you’d like more information on Trade Support Loans, click here.