Australian Apprenticeships are delivered through a cooperative arrangement between the Australian Government, State and Territory Governments, industry employers and Registered Training Organisations.
The Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and workplace Relations (DEEWR)
DEEWR is responsible for:
Australian Apprenticeships Centres
Are contracted by the Australian Government DEEWR to provide a free service, delivering support services for Australian Apprenticeships. In this role, AACs:
State and Territory Training Authorities
Government departments in each State or Territory are responsible for the operation of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system including Australian Apprenticeships within that jurisdiction. State and Territory Governments are responsible for all aspects of their training systems, including Australian Apprenticeships policy, priorities, regulatory and administrative arrangements. It also includes determining what qualifications are suitable for Australian Apprenticeships in each state or territory, approving Registered Training Organisations to deliver them, and distributing public funds to Registered Training Organisation for training delivery.
Specific areas of State or Territory responsibility include:
For further details on your State or Territory’s VET system, please visit our useful links page to direct you to their website.
Registered Training Organisations
Organisations registered by a State or Territory Training Authority deliver training and/or conduct assessments and issue nationally recognised qualifications in accordance with the Australian Quality Training Framework.
Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) include TAFE colleges and institutes, adult and community education providers, private providers, community organisations, schools, higher education intuitions, commercial and enterprise training providers, industry bodies and other organisations meeting the registration requirements.
Industry Skills Councils
Industry Skills Councils (ISCs) have two key roles:
There are currently eleven National Industry Skills Councils. For additional information go to the portal of the ISC website.
Who pays for the training cost?
The decision who pays for the cost of the formal off-the-job training of an Australian Apprentice is an arrangement made between the employer and Australian Apprentices. Training costs for selected Australian Apprenticeships can also be subsidised under User Choice.
What is User Choice?
User Choice is a national policy whereby State and Territory Governments fund RTOs to provide structured training to Australian Apprentices. These funds reduce the cost of the training that an Australian Apprentice or the employer will have to pay under an Australian Apprenticeship.
The amount of funding and training available under User Choice is different in each State and Territory, with each State and Territory having different priority areas to direct their User Choice funds.
Under User Choice arrangements Australian Apprentices and their employers may be able to select the private or public training provider of their choice. This may allow:
Who can deliver User Choice training?
An RTO wishing to deliver User Choice training can be TAFE colleges or any other institute (including a school) that has been registered to deliver the qualification.
Where can I find more information on User Choice?
Contact an Australian Apprenticeships Centre in your region or visit the website of the State or Territory Training Authority in your region.