Existing workers
Version 6
September 2011
Existing workers (PDF, 70 KB)
Why does this policy exist?
The Queensland Government has a clear commitment to the creation of new job opportunities for new entrants into the workforce. In supporting this, the Department of Education and Training (DET) introduced a policy for existing workers in apprenticeships and traineeships.
This policy reflects a government priority for supporting the creation of genuine new job opportunities, and for allowing young people the opportunity to more easily make the transition from school to work. The policy also provides an incentive to employers to employ new employees as apprentices and trainees and, in turn, to assist in alleviating the problem of unemployment in their community.
Who will be affected by the policy?
An employee who has worked continuously for an employer either full-time for more than three months, or part-time or casual for more than 12 months immediately prior to entering certain apprenticeships or traineeships, will be deemed an existing worker.
For the purposes of combining casual/part-time employment with full-time employment, four part-time or casual months are to be equivalent to one full-time month. For example: someone employed for eight months part-time and two months full-time will be considered to have been employed for four months full-time, and consequently will be considered to be an existing worker.
Note: On entering into a training contract an employee cannot be engaged on a casual basis. An employee must be engaged as either full time or part time to be approved to undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship.
What may be affected by the policy?
Apprentices and trainees who are affected by the existing workers' policy will need to discuss how the policy will affect their funding for training with their training organisation.
Are there any exemptions to the policy?
There are exemptions to the policy where:
- a person worked when attending school and subsequently enters an apprenticeship or traineeship with the same employer; or
- a person registering for a higher level traineeship and has already completed a traineeship that was a pre-requisite to the higher level; or
- a training contract is cancelled due to a change of ownership and a person wishes to complete their apprenticeship or traineeship with the new employer.
For further information
Contact Apprenticeships Info on 1800 210 210.
Associated procedures: