Workplace
When your child first enters the workforce they may not be aware of their rights and responsibilities as an Australian Apprentice, health and safety laws, equal opportunity laws, and training protocols. Additionally if your child is under the age of 18 there are some responsibilities that you will need to undertake as a Parent or Guardian. To ensure that your child is informed on these and other workplace related issues read through the following information.
Workplace Communication
The Importance of Workplace Relationships:
For information on effective workplace relationships visit the
Workplace Relationships page of the Relationships Australia WA Branch.
Entitlements and Money Matters
The first step is to determine if you are covered by a State Award or Modern Award. Your employer can provide this information or you can ring the Dept of Commerce on 1300 655 266.
State Awards:
The Dept of Commerce can provide information about State Awards including details of;
- Wage rates & allowances
- Superannuation
- Working hours
- Annual leave & sick leave
Modern Awards:
Fair Work Australia can provide information about Modern Awards including details of;
- Wage rates & allowances
- Superannuation
- Working hours
- Annual leave & sick leave
Confused?
If you have contacted Fair Work Australia or the Dept of Commerce and are still unsure please contact us.
Equal Opportunity
Bullying:
Bullying in the workplace is a very serious offence. If you feel your child is the victim of workplace bullying encourage them to speak to their employer in the first instance. For more information please click on the following link to be directed to the Bullying Information page of the Worksafe website.
Discrimination & Harassment:
Everyone is entitled to a fair go, regardless of gender, race, disability etc. If you feel that your child may be a victim of discrimination or harassment in the workplace, you should speak to their employer as soon as possible. For further information click on the following links to be directed to the:
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Parent/guardian responsibilities
Australian Apprentices and trainees who are under the age of 18 and who are under the care of a parent or legal guardian at the time of signing the training contract must include the parent/guardian's details and signature on the contract. The parent/guardian must ensure that the Australian Apprentice or trainee upholds all the responsibilities of the training contract, while the apprentice or trainee is less than 18 years of age.
The parent/guardian rights and responsibilities extend to most of the activities that affect the training contract. These activities include:
- Amendment of the probationary period
- Cancellation
- Amendment of the training contract
For further information on your roles and responsibilities as a parent of an Australian Apprentice, please click on the following link to be directed to the parent’s page of the
West Australian Government's Apprenticentre website.
Off-the-job Training:
Training that takes place away from a person’s job, usually off the premises, however may take place on the premises, e.g. in a special training area.
Off the job training is provided by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). For information on all qualifications on offer and the RTO's who offer them, please click on the following links:
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Suspension and Cancellation of an Australian Apprenticeship
Sometimes it may be necessary for your child to take a break in their Australian Apprenticeship. This can happen for a number of reasons, but if you are considering suspending or cancelling your child's Australian Apprenticeship there are some things you need to know.
Cancellation:
An Australian Apprenticeship can be cancelled at any stage during probation by either your child or their employer if either party inform Apprenticentre that this is what they have chosen to do. If your child cancels during probation, they will not receive any credit for time already completed if they take up their Australian Apprenticeship again at a later date.
Once your child has completed probation, they must speak to their employer and Apprenticentre before cancelling their Australian Apprenticeship. Once they have done this, if they still feel cancellation is the best option and their employer agrees they will need to contact Apprenticentre for their approval and to complete a cancellation form.
After cancellation, Apprenticentre will give your child the option of putting their name on the "Out of Contract Register". This means that they will be able to continue their off the job training for 6 months even if they are not working as an Australian Apprentice. It will also make their name available to any employers who are looking to hire an Australian Apprentice in their trade. If your child is planning to pick up their Australian Apprenticeship again at a later stage it is highly recommended that they continue with their training where possible so they don't fall behind.
It is important to be aware that if your child cancels their Australian Apprenticeship and they decide to pick it up again later they may not automatically receive credit for the time previously completed. Their incentive payments will also be affected by a cancellation.
Credit Applications after Cancellation:
If your child has previously cancelled their Australian Apprenticeship and they recommence with a new employer they may be eligible to receive credit in the following circumstances:
- If their cancellation was less than 12 months ago they will automatically receive credit for all the time they served with the previous employer.
- If their cancellation was more than 12 months ago they will need to negotiate the amount of credit they receive with their new employer. Your child will be expected to produce copies of their off the job training records at sign up if they are applying for credit. Their employer is not required to grant credit if they don't believe it is appropriate.
- If their previous Australian Apprenticeship was completed in another state, the amount of credit they are entitled to will need to be negotiated with their new employer. It will be vital that they produce records of the training that they received in their previous Australian Apprenticeship.
Suspension:
Suspensions are usually granted in cases of sickness, injury or other medical reasons, for maternity leave or in some special circumstances where the Australian Apprentice needs to take leave without pay. The break must be less than 12 months, and the employer needs to agree that this is the best option for both parties. Your child and their employer need to negotiate a date when they will return to work and inform Apprenticentre immediately in writing that they intend to suspend their Australian Apprenticeship. Your child must return to their original employer when the period of suspension has been completed.
Your child may continue to attend their off the job training for up to 6 months while on suspension if they choose to do so. This is highly recommended as it will help them keep up to date with their studies when they return.
It is important to be aware that a suspension will change the expected completion date of your child's Australian Apprenticeship. For example, if they suspend their Australian Apprenticeship for 6 months, the completion date will also be extended by 6 months. It will also effect when Tools for Your Trade payments and any other incentives are due.
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