Apprentices & cadets
An Australian apprenticeship is a contractual system of training between an employer, an apprentice, a registered training organisation and the government to deliver competency based training identified in a national training package. This training enables an apprentice to learn a trade.
Building cadets are typically engaged by large and medium sized building construction, civil construction and engineering construction contractors to learn the practical and managerial aspects of the construction process. A building cadetship is a career path to project management, contract administration and construction management.
Apprentices & the modern awards
While the transition from the state awards to the modern awards occurred in 2010 and 2011, some apprentices in Queensland will continue to be covered by the state system and not the modern award.
This means apprentices will continue to be paid according to their business/employer history. The amount of wages and operative date of current wages will differ depending on whether your business is a company, sole trader or partnership, and when your business was established.
The table below summarises the current arrangements for apprentices in Queensland.
| Employer type/description | Dates of effect | Minimum employment conditions | Apprentice/trainee progression and conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sole traders, unincorporated entities in partnership and other unincorporated entities (formerly under state system) established prior to 1 January 2010 |
01/02/11 |
No change (as per previous state award, frozen) |
QIRC Order – Apprentices’ and Trainees’ Wages and Conditions QIRC Tool Allowance Order |
|
Constitutional corporations (incorporated entities who are trading or financial) – usually Pty Ltd or Ltd companies, where corporation existed prior to 27 March 2006 and was employing employees and bound by a Queensland state award immediately before WorkChoices reform commencements on 27 March 2006 |
01/01/10 |
No change (as per previous NAPSA or frozen state award requirements until Fair Work Australia completes apprentice and trainee review) |
QIRC Order – Apprentices’ and Trainees’ Wages and Conditions QIRC Tool Allowance Order (NAPSA) |
|
Constitutional corporations (incorporated entities who are trading or financial) – usually Pty Ltd or Ltd companies – where the corporation was created on or after 27 March 2006 |
01/01/10 |
Modern award |
As per modern award |
|
All employers that responded to a federal award prior to 1 January 2010 |
01/01/10 |
Modern award |
As per modern award |
|
Any new business (either sole trader or corporation) created after 31 December 2009 |
01/01/10 |
Modern award |
As per modern award |
Wage circulars
Master Builders produces wage circulars for its members, summarising the information you need to know to ensure your apprentices receive the correct wages and allowances throughout their period of engagement.
Apprentice wage circulars effective 1 July 2011:
Download previous Master Builders apprentice wage circulars (effective to 30 June 2011).
Building cadets
Building cadets are covered by the national minimum wage and the National Employment Standards (NES), as no modern awards apply. At the point of engagement, all building cadets are employed as full-time (weekly hire), part-time or casual employees. The vast majority of building cadets are engaged as full-time employees.
Download the Master Builders building cadets guide 2011 (effective 1 July 2011).
