Training Contracts
Making changes to training contracts
A Training Contract is a legal contract for vocational training between an employer and the employee who will be the Australian Apprentice. An employment relationship must exist between the two before entering into a Training Contract. The Australian Apprenticeships Centre takes the Training Contract document to the workplace to be signed by the Australian Apprentice and the employer. If the Australian Apprentice is under 18 a parent or guardian must also sign the Training Contract.
Once the Training Contract has been signed it is lodged with the Department for approval under the Training and Tertiary Education Act 2003 
. Penalties apply to employers under the Act for employing an Australian Apprentice without an approved Training Contract.
The Department manages the Training Contract and monitors progress through the training with the chosen Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Depending on what qualification the Australian Apprentice is completing and whether employment is full or part-time, then all parties will be given a fixed period of time, called the nominal duration, to complete the training.
The Department notifies both parties once the Training Contract has been approved, and advises on the expected completion date. Any changes or variations to the Training Contract after its approval must be approved by the Department on the relevant application form available on the Department’s website. Once the Australian Apprenticeship qualification is completed the Training Contract will be closed by the Department and will no longer apply.
