Wages and entitlements for apprentices and trainees

Wages

Apprentices and trainees usually receive special pay rates while they complete their qualification. You can only pay apprentice or trainee wages if you have a formal, registered training contract with them.

Pay rates are set out in the award or agreement that applies to your business. It can vary based on the age, length of the apprenticeship or traineeship, how much training they have completed, and if they are an adult or school student.

Learn about apprentice and trainee pay rates and increases, pay rates after training is completed and being paid for time spent undertaking training.

Find out if the wages you pay to your apprentice or trainee are exempt from payroll tax.

Entitlements

When you employ an apprentice or trainee you must:

• pay them for work as well as time spent training on the job (supervision and mentoring),
• release them for off-the-job training while still paying them.

Find information about apprentice entitlements and trainee entitlements, including leave, public holidays, breaks, training and fees.

Working hours

Learn about the working hours for your apprentice or trainee.

School-based apprentices and trainees

School-based apprentices and trainees are a special type of employee and have their own specific wage arrangements and entitlements, including minimum paid working hour requirements.

Superannuation

You must pay your apprentice or trainee superannuation for their retirement, just like other employees.

Workers' compensation

You must insure your apprentice or trainee against work-related injuries if you own a business in Queensland. Learn about WorkCover insurance, including types of insurance and who can be covered. Find out about how to reduce your insurance premium when you employ apprentice and trainees.

Tool allowance

Depending on the type of business, you may have to provide your apprentice or trainee with a tool allowance. Use the P.A.C.T. Pay Calculator to calculate base pay rates, allowances (e.g. tool) and penalty rates (including overtime) for your apprentice or trainee.

Workers' unions and industrial action

Apprentices and trainees, like other employees, can choose to join a union and take part in industrial actions like strikes, go-slows, overtime bans or call out bans.