Australian Apprenticeships Access Program
The Australian Apprenticeships Access Program can help you get and participate in Australian Apprenticeships.
What is the Australian Apprenticeships Access Program?
The Australian Apprenticeships Access Program is funded by the Australian Government and provides disadvantaged job seekers 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.
Who is eligible for Australian Apprenticeships Access Program?
You are eligible for Australian Apprenticeships Access Program if you are an Australian resident and registered for employment assistance, and 1 of the following:
- unemployed and have been registered with Centrelink as unemployed for at least 12 months
- participated in Work for the Dole
- homeless
- have a disability
- a sole parent receiving Parenting Payment
- an early school leaver under 25 years of age who has not completed either Year 10, 11 or 12 of school, or an ‘at risk’ Year 12 school leaver
- an Indigenous Australian
- an Australian born South Sea Islander
- a self disclosed ex-offender
- mature aged job seeker aged 45 years and over
- a person who has completed a Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations[1] funded Literacy and Numeracy training program.
How can I find a training program?
You can search for training programs[2] on the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations[1] website.
The Program includes a minimum of 150 hours of nationally recognised, accredited pre-vocational training linked to an Australian Apprenticeship pathway and delivered by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). Following the training period participants receive individualised intensive job search assistance for up to 13 weeks. Participants who gain an apprenticeship or other employment or commence in further education or training, along with their employers, receive 13 weeks of post-placement support.
FAQs for job seekers
What is the Access Program?
The Access Program provides vulnerable job seekers facing barriers to skilled employment with individualised pre-vocational training, job search and post-placement support. The Program helps participants gain and maintain an Australian Apprenticeship, other employment or further education.
How can the Access Program help me?
The Access Program will give you free*:
- job preparation
- industry training
- connections with actual employers
- on-the-job support to help you settle in for your first 13 weeks
- plenty of great jobs to choose from
*for eligible participants.
How does the Access Program help me to get ready to work?
The Access Program is not just about training or a job, it’s about helping you develop your unique skills.
Training is one thing, but getting a job is another.
The Access Program will help bring it all together—it’s the difference between doing it all yourself or with the help of the Access Program.
Imagine being in control, being able to buy the things you can’t now, doing what you want to do. The Access Program can help you achieve your goals.
The Access Program is not just about doing an Australian Apprenticeship or Traineeship. It’s about giving you the skills you need to start building your future.
What can I expect?
You will:
- get help to become ‘job ready’
- learn the qualities that an employer wants
- receive nationally recognised training to give you the basic industry skills
- learn how to write a good resume, look for jobs and prepare for interviews
- get an opportunity to undertake workplace experience to try out your new skills
- get an opportunity to be linked to local employers and industries
Be amazed at what you can achieve!
Who provides the Access Program services?
The Access Program is delivered by local organisations known as Access Program providers. They know about local employment requirements and how to give you the type of training that is needed for a particular industry.
What do I have to do?
You will:
- work with your Access Program provider to agree on the best plan to help you prepare for work or get the skills to look for work
- willingly take part in training and other services your Access Program provider might offer you
- make good use of the learning opportunities
- willingly do things that will help you look for and get work.
What does it cost?
The Access Program is funded by the Australian Government and is free if you are eligible.
How do I know if I am eligible?
You must be a job seeker who:
- is a registered job seeker or has been referred by a Youth Connections provider or a Community Development Employment Project (CDEP) officer.
- meets at least one of a number of conditions, for example: a person who has been registered with Centrelink or Job Services Australia as unemployed for three months or more at the commencement of the pre-vocational training course, a person with disability or a sole parent or sole guardian receiving a Parenting Payment (Single) (see also the Access Program Eligibility Criteria).
FAQs for employers
What is the Access Program?
The Access Program provides vulnerable job seekers facing barriers to skilled employment with individualised pre-vocational training, job search and post-placement support. The Program helps participants gain and maintain an Australian Apprenticeship, other employment or further education.
How does the Access Program work?
The Access Program assists eligible job seekers to obtain and maintain an Australian Apprenticeship or employment, by providing:
- training in the basic skills needed for a particular industry
- coaching in general work skills and habits
- help while looking for work
- support while settling into the workplace.
Why choose an Access Program participant?
The Access Program can provide you with people who:
- are motivated to work in your industry
- already have basic work skills relevant to your business
- have a good understanding of what you as an employer want
- have already developed good workplace habits
- are local in your area
- are trained to interact well with others
- have good organisational and time management skills and even occupational health and safety, as well as essential technical or specific training
You will also receive support for both you and your employee during the first very important and formative 13 weeks of their Australian Apprenticeship.
Who provides the Access Program services?
The Australian Apprenticeships Access Program is delivered to you by local organisations known as Access Program Providers.
They already work closely with local industry to tailor people to your specific needs.
As Government funded organisations they are required to meet guidelines to ensure your needs are met.
Being local means that providers understand your requirements and can create a program to match your recruitment needs and cycles.
What does it cost?
The Access Program is funded by the Australian Government and is provided free for eligible job seekers. Employers may be eligible for an Australian Government incentive if Access Program job seekers are placed in an Australian Apprenticeship.
What training do Access Program job seekers get?
- Basic skills required for a particular industry. These skills are nationally recognised and linked to an Australian Apprenticeship pathway
- General work skills such as communication skills, time management, organisational skills, teamwork and occupational health and safety.
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