Transfer the training contract

If changed business circumstances affect your ability to train your apprentice or trainee, there are options available to you to either retain your apprentice or trainee by temporarily transferring the apprentice or trainee to another employer, or allowing your apprentice or trainee to continue with another employer under a permanent arrangement.

Before you do anything, contact your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider (Provider), to discuss the situation and talk about your options.

Temporary transfer

Your apprentice or trainee can be temporarily transferred to another employer, if the transfer both:

  • occurs for 1 year or less
  • ends before the nominal term (end date) of the training contract.

You don't need approval from us, the department, to transfer your apprentice or trainee temporarily.

How to transfer a training contract temporarily

Step 1: You, your apprentice or trainee, and the new employer, must all agree in writing using Form ATF-038.

Form ATF-038: Temporary transfer of a registered training contract

Go to form

Step 2: Send a signed copy of the form to us or your Provider, within 7 days after the transfer start date.

Step 3: You must also notify your supervising registered training organisation (SRTO), within 7 days after the transfer start date.

Permanent transfer

A permanent transfer allows the training contract to remain active while the apprentice or trainee moves from one employer to another.

A permanent transfer of an apprentice or trainee, and the training contract, to another employer must be approved by us first.

The new employer can also apply to transfer another employer's apprentice or trainee to them, even if the existing employer does not agree.

How to transfer a training contract permanently

Step 1: If you are the existing employer and agree to the permanent transfer, you, your apprentice or trainee, and the new employer will need to complete Form ATF-039 and submit it to your Provider.

If you are the new employer and the existing employer doesn't agree to the transfer, you and the apprentice or trainee will need to complete Form ATF-039 and submit it to us or your Provider.

Form ATF-039: Permanent transfer application by all parties and proposed new employer

Go to form

Step 2: Wait for us to make our decision. This may take up to 28 days.

Step 3: We will contact you about our decision.

  • Last reviewed: 18 Sep 2023
  • Last updated: 1 Jul 2024