What Age Can You Do an Apprenticeship?

You can start an Australian Apprenticeship at almost any age. Whether you are still at school, a recent school leaver, or well into your working life and considering a change of direction, there is an apprenticeship pathway that can work for you.

School-Based Apprentices

The earliest point at which most people can begin an Australian Apprenticeship is during high school, typically in Year 10, 11 or 12.

A school-based apprenticeship, sometimes called an ASbA, allows students to combine their regular school studies with paid part-time work in their chosen trade or vocational area. It is a genuine apprenticeship, not work experience. The student earns a wage, works toward a nationally recognised qualification, and gets a significant head start on their peers who wait until after they finish school.

School-based apprenticeships require coordination between the school, the employer and the training provider, but they are well-established and supported across all states and territories. MIGAS can advise whether a school-based arrangement is suitable depending on the trade and location.

School Leavers

The most common entry point for apprenticeships is immediately after finishing Year 12, or within a year or two of leaving school.

At this stage, most candidates are between 17 and 20 years old. Employers hiring at this level understand they are working with people who are new to the workforce, and the apprenticeship is designed with that in mind.

You do not need prior trade experience to apply. What matters most is attitude, reliability and a genuine interest in the trade.

Adult and Mature Age Apprentices

There is no upper age limit for an Australian Apprenticeship.

Anyone aged 21 or over at the time they commence their training is classified as an adult apprentice under most Modern Awards. This covers a wide range of people, from someone in their early twenties who spent a couple of years working after school before deciding on a trade, through to people in their thirties, forties or beyond who are making a deliberate career change.

Adult apprentices bring prior work experience, life skills and a level of maturity that many employers find genuinely valuable. They tend to settle into workplace expectations more quickly and often have a clearer sense of why they have chosen the trade they are pursuing.

It is worth noting that mature age apprentices attract higher wage rates under most Modern Awards than junior apprentices. The applicable rate depends on the trade, the relevant Award and the apprentice's age and year level. You can look up current rates using the Fair Work Ombudsman's PAY Calculator.

Residency Requirements

Regardless of age, you must be eligible to work in Australia to undertake an Australian Apprenticeship. This means you need to be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen holding an appropriate visa.

If you are unsure about your eligibility based on your visa status, an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider (ACAP) can advise you before you apply.

MIGAS Works With Apprentices of All Ages

MIGAS employs school-based apprentices, school leavers and mature age apprentices and trainees across a broad range of trades and locations.

If you are interested in an apprenticeship or traineeship, browse current opportunities on the MIGAS Jobs Board. You can also register your details and we will be in touch when a suitable role becomes available that matches your trade interests and location.