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Am I Qualified When I Finish My Apprenticeship?

Yes. When you complete your Australian Apprenticeship, you hold a nationally recognised qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework and are considered a fully qualified tradesperson in your trade. For some trades, you will also need to apply for a state or territory licence before you can work independently, but the qualification is the essential foundation that makes that possible.

What Qualification Do You Receive?

The qualification you receive depends on the trade or vocational area you trained in. Most trade apprenticeships lead to a Certificate III in the relevant trade specialisation. Examples include:

Traineeships generally lead to a Certificate III depending on the vocational area and the specific qualification undertaken.

These are formal qualifications registered on the Australian Qualifications Framework. They are nationally recognised, which means they carry the same weight with employers across every state and territory in Australia, regardless of where you completed your training.

What Does Being Fully Qualified Actually Mean?

Completing your apprenticeship and receiving your qualification means you have been formally assessed as competent across all the units required by your trade. Both your employer and your Registered Training Organisation have confirmed that you can perform the work of a qualified tradesperson to the standard required by the industry.

In practical terms, being fully qualified means:

  • You can work as a qualified tradesperson without needing the level of supervision required during your apprenticeship
  • Your wages move from apprentice rates to qualified tradesperson rates, which is a significant increase in most trades
  • You are eligible to apply for trade licences where require
  • You can pursue further qualifications, specialisations or supervisory roles
  • You have a formal, portable credential that is recognised by employers across Australia and in many cases internationally

Do You Also Need a Licence?

For some trades, holding the Certificate III qualification is necessary but not sufficient to work independently. A separate licensing step is also required.

Electrical trades are the most common example. After completing a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, you must apply to the relevant state or territory electrical licensing authority for an electrical licence before you can perform electrical work without supervision.

Requirements vary by jurisdiction but typically include holding the qualification and meeting a minimum period of supervised work experience.
Plumbing, gasfitting and some other trades also require state-based licensing following completion of the qualification.

For trades that do not require a separate licence, the qualification alone is sufficient to work as a fully qualified tradesperson.

If you are unsure whether your trade requires a licence after completing your apprenticeship, your employer, MIGAS or the relevant state licensing authority can advise you.

What About Traineeships?

Trainees are also fully qualified upon completion of their traineeship. A completed traineeship results in a formally recognised Certificate III or IV qualification in the relevant vocational area.

While non-trade traineeships do not typically involve a separate licensing step, the qualification is a legitimate and valued credential with employers in the relevant industry. Many businesses use traineeships as a structured pathway to identify and develop talent they intend to retain as qualified employees once training is complete.

What Comes After Qualification?

Completing your apprenticeship or traineeship is the beginning of your career as a qualified tradesperson, not the end of your development. Many qualified tradespeople go on to:

  • Build their career with the host employer where they completed their training, often transitioning directly into ongoing employment
  • Pursue specialist roles or further qualifications in their trade area
  • Move into supervisory or project management roles as they gain experience
  • Work across different industries, taking advantage of the portability of their qualification
  • Establish their own contracting business using the skills, experience and credential their apprenticeship provided

The qualification you hold at the end of your apprenticeship is the foundation for everything that follows. It is a long-term asset that grows in value as you build experience and expertise in your trade.

Ready to Get Started?

MIGAS offers apprenticeships across a broad range of traditional trades as well as traineeships in vocational areas.

Browse current opportunities on the MIGAS Jobs Board, or register your details and we will be in touch when a suitable role becomes available in your area and trade of interest.

Register

Published 21/04/2026

In the spirit of reconciliation, MIGAS Apprentices & Trainees acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.