How Much Does a Mature Age Apprentice Earn?

Mature age apprentices, those aged 21 or over, earn higher wages than junior apprentices at the same year level under most Modern Awards. The exact amount depends on your trade, your age, whether you have completed Year 12 and the year level of your apprenticeship.

For current pay rates by trade, see our What 1st Year Apprentices Get Paid: 2025-2026 Award Wages Guide.

How Mature Age Apprentice Wages Are Set

Apprentice wages in Australia are governed by Modern Awards, which are legal instruments that set minimum pay rates and conditions for employees in specific industries and occupations. Awards are administered by the Fair Work Ombudsman and reviewed annually, with updated rates typically taking effect on 1 July each financial year.

Under most Modern Awards, apprentices are paid on a scale that takes into account their age and year level of training.

Adult or mature age apprentices, those who are 21 or older when they commence their apprenticeship, sit on a higher point of that scale than junior apprentices of the same year level. This reflects the higher adult minimum wage that applies under the Fair Work framework.

Some employers pay their workers, including apprentices, under an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) rather than the base Award. EBA rates are negotiated between the employer and employees and are typically at or above the relevant Award rate.

What Affects Your Pay as a Mature Age Apprentice?

Several factors determine your specific wage rate as an adult apprentice.

Your trade and the applicable Award

Different trades are covered by different Modern Awards, and the apprentice pay scales within those Awards vary. An electrical apprentice and a mechanical engineering apprentice, for example, are covered by different Awards with different minimum rates.

Your age

Under most Awards, the adult apprentice rate applies when you commence your apprenticeship at age 21 or older. If you start before you turn 21, you will generally remain on the junior rate for the duration of your apprenticeship even after your 21st birthday, though this can vary depending on the specific Award covering your trade.

Whether you have completed Year 12

In some Awards, completing Year 12 affects the pay classification applied to a first-year apprentice. Where this applies, an apprentice who has completed Year 12 may be placed on a higher rate than one who has not, regardless of age.

Your year level

As you progress through your apprenticeship from first year to second, third and fourth year, your Award rate increases accordingly. Combined with the annual Fair Work wage review each July, this means your wages should increase every year throughout your apprenticeship.

Allowances

Depending on your trade and employer, you may also be entitled to additional allowances on top of your base wage. These can include tool allowances, travel allowances, site allowances and industry-specific loadings.

These are set out in the relevant Award or EBA.

How to Find Your Specific Rate

The most reliable way to find the minimum wage rate that applies to your trade, age and year level is to use the Fair Work Ombudsman's PAY Calculator.

If you are unsure which Award applies to your trade, your employer, your Group Training Organisation or an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider (ACAP) can help you identify the correct one.

Is the Higher Wage Worth it for Employers?

A common question from employers considering mature age apprentices is whether the higher wage rate makes them a less attractive option than a younger candidate. In practice, many host businesses find that the modestly higher wage commitment is offset by the advantages an adult apprentice typically brings, including prior work experience, faster adjustment to workplace expectations and a deliberate commitment to the trade they have chosen.

For employers who want to understand exactly what rates would apply to a mature age apprentice in their trade and state, MIGAS can walk you through the specifics.

Want to Know More?

For a detailed breakdown of current pay rates by trade, read our What 1st Year Apprentices Get Paid: 2025-2026 Award Wages Guide.

For broader information on the mature age apprenticeship pathway, read Mature Age Apprenticeship: What You Need to Know.

To find current apprenticeship opportunities, browse the MIGAS Jobs Board or register your details and we will be in touch when a suitable role becomes available.