How to Become a Tradesperson in Australia

Becoming a tradesperson in Australia is one of the most financially rewarding paths a school leaver can take. But the way the system works isn’t always explained clearly. Here’s the straightforward version.

The two pathways

There are essentially two ways into a trade in Australia.

1. Apprenticeship with an employer This is the main route. You find an employer who’s willing to take you on as an apprentice, and you work for them full-time (usually four days a week on the tools, one day at TAFE or an RTO). You’re a paid employee from day one. The training component takes three to four years depending on the trade.

2. Pre-apprenticeship at TAFE Some people do a short pre-apprenticeship course at TAFE first, usually six months to a year, to get some foundational skills before applying to employers. This can make you more appealing to an employer and give you a clearer picture of whether you enjoy the work. However, it’s not required and you’ll still need to find an employer to complete your full apprenticeship.

How the apprenticeship system works

Once you’re employed as an apprentice, you have a formal Training Contract between you, your employer, and your state’s training authority (in Queensland, that’s the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, DESBT).

Your qualification is delivered by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), usually TAFE, though private RTOs also deliver many trade qualifications. You attend one day a week (or in blocks, depending on the arrangement) and your employer is legally required to allow you to attend training.

At the end of your apprenticeship, you receive a nationally recognised qualification, typically a Certificate III in your trade, and become a fully qualified tradesperson.

Which trades and what they earn

Wages vary by location, employer, and whether you’re in the commercial or residential sector. These are guides, not guarantees.

What you actually need to get started

Most trades have no formal entry requirements beyond Year 10 completion. Some, particularly electrical, prefer Year 12 with maths, because the theory component is genuinely complex. But it’s not a hard rule.

What you do need is a genuine interest in the trade and a willingness to work hard for the first couple of years while your pay is still at apprentice rates. Those early years are an investment. Stick with it.

For any construction trade you’ll also need a White Card (general construction induction card) before you can work on a construction site. You can get this in a day at most RTOs and training centres. It’s about $100-$150 and you’ll use it for the rest of your career.

Where to find an apprenticeship

Direct to employers, best approach. Find local businesses in your trade and contact them directly. Group Training Organisations (GTOs), BUSY At Work, Apprenticeships Are Us, MAS National, etc. They employ apprentices and host them with multiple businesses. TAFE Queensland, many campuses run employer connection days and know which businesses are taking on apprentices. Indeed and Seek, apprenticeships are advertised, though volume is lower than direct approach. RooKi, we list verified apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities across Queensland and beyond.

Government incentives

The Australian Government and Queensland Government both offer financial incentives for employers who take on apprentices. This includes the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program, which provides payments to employers at various stages of an apprenticeship. These payments make taking on apprentices cheaper for small businesses, meaning more of them do it.

If you’re interested in the trades but not sure which one fits you best, RooKi’s career assessment will give you a starting point. Answer questions about how you think, what you enjoy and how you work, and we’ll tell you which trade categories match your profile.

Take the career assessment, it’s free and takes 15 minutes →