The Australian Apprenticeships Access Program can help you to obtain and maintain an Australian apprenticeship, enter employment or access further education or training.

You may be eligible if you:

  • are an Australian resident
  • are registered for employment assistance, and
  • have particular issues with finding work or training, for example having left school early, being homeless, or being a mature-aged job seeker.

If you are a job seeker experiencing difficulties finding skilled employment, the Australian Apprenticeships Access Program can help you with pre-vocational training and other forms of assistance.

You will be trained by registered training organisations, which are accredited and recognised by employers nationally.

If you are eligible, the Australian Apprenticeships Access Program will give you:

  • free job preparation
  • free industry training
  • connections with actual employers
  • on-the-job support to help you settle in for your first 13 weeks
  • plenty of great job opportunities to choose from.

The Australian Apprenticeships Access Program will help you:

  • become 'job ready'
  • learn the qualities an employer wants
  • get nationally recognised training to give you basic industry skills
  • learn how to write a good resume, look for jobs and prepare for interviews.

The program will also give you the workplace experience to try out your new skills and the opportunity to be linked to local employers and industries.

Eligibility for the Australian Apprenticeships Access Program

You are eligible for Australian Apprenticeships Access Program if you are an Australian resident and registered for employment assistance, and one of the following:

  • are unemployed and have been registered with Centrelink as unemployed for at least three months
  • are homeless
  • have a disability
  • are a sole parent receiving Parenting Payment
  • are an early school leaver who has not completed either Year 10, 11, or 12 of school
  • are an 'at risk' Year 12 school leaver
  • are an Indigenous Australian
  • are an Australian-born descendant of a South Sea Islander
  • are a self-disclosed ex-offender
  • are a mature-aged job seeker aged 45 years and over
  • are a person who has completed a Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations–funded Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program.

Find a training program

You can search for training programs on the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE) website.

Getting back on track

The Australian Apprenticeships Access Program can help you get and participate in Australian apprenticeships. You will get help to become 'job ready'. You will learn the qualities that an employer wants. You will receive nationally recognised training.

Read the Looking for a way to get back on track? flyer.