Australian Apprenticeships are a great introduction to an exciting career in many industries. Apprenticeships involve a mix of training and on-the-job experience. It is important that you know your rights and how you should be supervised.

Apprentices play a vital role in the community and are highly valued by WorkSafe ACT. Apprenticeships cover up to 500 occupations: from hairdressing to automotive to construction. Below is some important information you should know before you begin your apprenticeship.

Inductions

It is vital that you receive an induction when you begin your apprenticeship. Your induction should cover the following information:

• hazards and risks specific to the workplace
• control measures for those risks
• workplace specific rules
• safety documents, policies and plans
• who to report accidents, incidents and hazards to as well as how to report them
• accident, emergency and evacuation procedures, and
• the layout of the workplace including entries and exits, loading and unloading areas, location of facilities, first aid and security requirements.

Inductions in Construction

The Safety Alert Mandatory Training of Apprentices provides a clear overview of the training required for apprentices in construction.

To work on a construction site, you must have a General Construction Induction Card. This is commonly referred to as a White Card. Topics covered in this training are:

• your rights and responsibilities under Work Health and Safety laws
• the standard of behaviour expected of workers on construction sites
• common hazards and risks in the construction industry, and
• basic risk management principles

This training must be completed through a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). You then need to apply to Access Canberra to get your card.

If you work with asbestos or asbestos containing materials you must complete Asbestos Awareness Training. More information on occupations required to complete this training can be found here on the Asbestos Awareness Training page.

Trades who could potentially be exposed to asbestos containing material also require Working Safely with Asbestos Containing Material (WSWACM) training. A list of these trades can be found here.

You are required to complete the mandatory Crystalline Silica Awareness Training before 1 October 2023 if working with crystalline silica materials. For further information on what work and tasks can lead to silica exposure, including the specified occupations for which training is mandatory, see Silica occupations and task exposure.

If asked by your employer or a WorkSafe ACT inspector, you will need to provide proof of completing the training outlined above, which could include presenting the training card or the Statement of Attainment.

Apprentice Supervision

During your Australian Apprenticeship, you must be supervised by a suitably qualified supervisor. This could be your employer or another staff member who has an equivalent or higher-level qualification in the same field or trade as you. In the case of licensed trades, your supervisor also requires the relevant current licence. For more information about supervision, you can read our Guidance note- Supervision of Apprentices.

WorkSafe ACT recently released a Safety Alert called Apprentice Training and Supervision: Working at Heights that also talks about the supervision of apprentices.

Levels of Supervision

As an Australian Apprentice, you look to your supervisor for guidance and assistance in learning how to undertake your job safely and competently. It is important that you know how you should be supervised. There are two levels of supervision for Australian Apprenticeships: Direct and General.

Direct Supervision

Direct supervision means supervision at all times.

This means one-on-one supervision on a direct and constant basis within visual contact and/or earshot (audible range). Your supervisor should provide specific and constant guidance. Your supervisor must closely communicate with and monitor you while continuing to review work practices, including safety and work standards.

General Supervision

General supervision means being under instruction and direction for tasks being performed.

You should only move from direct supervision to general supervision for those skills where you have demonstrated competence. Your supervisor should provide you with instruction and direction for the tasks to be performed, with progressive checks and testing while the work is being undertaken. This means you do not require constant attendance of your supervisor, but you do require regular personal contact through the day.

Your supervisor must remain on the same work site as you and be readily available to talk to you face to face, this does not mean by phone.

Electrical Apprentices

Working with electricity can be hazardous.

If you are an Australian Apprentice who is engaged in licensed electrical work, you must always have a supervisor available on site. This applies no matter what task has been assigned to you. Due to the hazardous nature of electrical work, there is an additional category of supervision that applies to electrical apprentices, called Broad Supervision.

Broad supervision

Broad supervision means you do not need constant attendance of the onsite supervising electrician but do need face-to-face contact with the supervising electrician to check your work.

As part of broad supervision, the supervising electrician provides you with instruction and direction for the tasks being performed, with checks and tests before commissioning and/or energising of circuit(s) and or apparatus/equipment.

More information on supervision of electrical apprentices can be found on the Electrical Installations section of the Access Canberra website. You can also read the Supervision Guidelines for Apprentices Working on Electrical Installations.

Ratio of Supervisors to Australian Apprentices and Trainees

The below table is a guideline. The level of supervision (outlined above) will depend on your level of experience and the risks involved with the type of work being carried out.

Year of apprenticeship	Persons responsible for supervision: Apprentice ratio (maximum)
1 or 2	1:1 Direct
3 or 4	1:5 General

Year/stage of traineeship	Persons responsible for supervision: Trainee ratio (maximum)
Any	1:5 General

Elements of effective Supervision

An effective workplace supervisor should:

• provide a safe and supportive (respectful) workplace
• train the Australian Apprentice in safe work practices
• provide technical training
• act as a positive role model
• understand and implement the Australian Apprentices training plan
• help the Australian Apprentice develop problem solving skills
• provide regular feedback and encouragement in a constructive manner
• discuss and develop on-the-job training, and
• complete supervisory training to assist in mentoring and supervising of Australian Apprentices.

Australian School-based Apprenticeships (ASbAs)

School-based apprenticeships allow senior high school students to start their apprenticeship while at school.

School-based apprentices work part-time and complete the first stage of their formal on or off-the-job apprenticeship training. School-based apprentices receive the same entitlements as other part-time employees.

Training

Your apprenticeship will involve an element of paid training, which is completed separate from your workplace.

Your training must be supplied by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and your employer will reimburse you for the cost of fees and other incidentals such as textbooks.

Your employer should develop a Training Plan, covering your training and assessment.

Your Training Provider should keep records of your attendance, work submitted and assessment tasks.

Vocational education and training

Skills Canberra is responsible and accountable for the provision of strategic advice and overall management of vocational education and training (VET) in the ACT.

The Skills Canberra website regularly updates information on training initiatives in the ACT and nationally, and tools to support duty holders. You can subscribe to receive notifications of updates and news items by completing the subscribe form on the Skills Canberra website.

My Skills is the national directory of VET organisations and courses. It is an Australian Government initiative, designed for employers, individuals, students and job seekers. It provides information on training and registered training organisations (RTOs) that best suit your needs.

Group Training Organisation

A Group Training Organisation (GTO) provides employment to apprentices.

They recruit and employ you and then place you with a host employer. You may move through more than one host employer during your training contract.

Your host employer will give you work and provide you with on-the-job training and supervision. The GTO will:

• meet the employer obligations outlined in your Training Contract
• manage the quality and continuity of your training
• monitor your progress against your training plan
• manage your pay, allowances, superannuation, workers compensation and other employment benefits, and
• provide you with any necessary care and support throughout your apprenticeship.

A GTO must be registered to employ apprentices and trainees in the ACT, they may operate for profit, or not-for-profit.  They may also be labour hire companies.

You can search for a registered GTO at Australian Apprenticeships.

For more information on GTOs, see the Skills ACT Group Training Organisations webpage

Contact WorkSafe ACT

Call WorkSafe ACT on 13 22 81 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6 pm, and on weekends or public holidays from 9am-5pm.

International callers please use +61 2 6207 5111. International call rates apply.

After hours, for emergencies you can call us on 0419 120 028.

Email WorkSafe ACT at worksafe@worksafe.act.gov.au