Employment and training contracts

When you take on an apprentice or trainee, you will have to sign both an employment contract and a training contract. They cover different aspects of your working relationship.

Employment contracts

An employment contract sets out the terms and condition of employment, which generally includes:

  • job title and description
  • place and hours of work
  • salary or wage
  • whether the job is full-time, part-time or casual
  • reporting relationships
  • leave entitlements (sick, holiday, maternity or paternity, public holidays)
  • termination process.

Employment contracts

Learn about what should be in an employment contract, ensuring it meets legal minimums, and where you can get help to build one.

Training contracts

A training contact, in comparison, outlines your obligations to provide training for the qualification that your apprentice or trainee plans to achieve. It includes:

  • start or 'commencement' date
  • probationary period
  • duration, or 'nominal term' of the training contract
  • qualification details
  • signatories (you, your apprentice or trainee, and parent or guardian).

The training contract, once registered, is also needed:

  • to determine eligibility for government incentives and allowances
  • to pay apprentice or trainee pay rates.

Training contracts must be registered by us.

Training contracts can only be cancelled by mutual consent or, if only one party applies for cancellation, by us, after we consider the circumstances.