Trainee

Trainees are employees who are part of a structured program that combines work and study. They work for an employer and at the same time, are working towards a qualification related to their job, but not a trade certificate. For example, someone might be a trainee in business administration, learning the ropes of the job while also completing coursework or training modules to get a formal certification in that field.

Employing a trainee

Trainees are employees under a registered training contract. Their pay is usually set by the National Training Wage schedule in the Miscellaneous Award 2020 or by their industry award, based on their highest level of schooling, years out of school and the qualification level. Trainees get the National Employment Standards, although trainees employed only for the length of their training arrangement are not entitled to notice or redundancy pay under the National Employment Standards. For example, a school leaver doing a Certificate III in Business while working as an office trainee is paid the relevant training wage.

Read our guide to apprentice pay rates.