School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships

There’s a lot to consider when starting your School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship. Below are some steps to help you get prepared.

Explore

• Check out career paths, industries and job descriptions.

• Complete the TAFE NSW Study Seeker Quiz.

• Research career opportunities and courses to find the right qualification for you.

• Discover TAFE NSW course areas that match your interests.

Get advice

• Talk with your parent or carer, school careers advisor or VET coordinator about SBAT pathways.

• Discuss with your teachers how an SBAT fits into your HSC study pattern.

• Find an employer and work with your school on application requirements.

You’ve done your research and know which SBAT qualification you want.

Here’s what happens next:

1. Your school sector representative submits an SBAT Training Plan Proposal (TPP) to TAFE NSW.
2. TAFE NSW checks your SBAT TPP and returns the signed and accepted copy to your school sector representative and Apprentice Connect Australia Provider (ACAP).
3. You work with your ACAP to sign your training contract and other relevant documents.
4. Your ACAP submits the signed SBAT TPP and training contract to Training Services.
5. You enrol with TAFE NSW and commence your course.
6. TAFE NSW works with stakeholders to finalise your training plan, usually within 6 weeks of your training contract approval.

You can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Credit Transfer to have your skills, knowledge or previously completed units recognised. This could help you complete your qualification faster.

Learn more about RPL and Credit Transfer.

By offering School-based Apprenticeships or Traineeships, you can:

• attract new, committed employees

• provide a structured approach to upskill your existing team

• offer valuable career opportunities and formal qualifications

• help your business stay competitive with a skilled and dedicated workforce.

The Australian Government provides financial and non-financial support to employers of apprentices and trainees.

Learn more about financial support for employers and employer incentives.

If you have questions about incentive payments, contact your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider (ACAP).

When your registered school-based apprentice or trainee enrols, you get access to important news and information online, including:

• training plans

• course progress

• results and reports.

Learn more about employer e-Services. Complete the account creation form if you don’t have access or log in.

Updating or amending an SBAT training contract is called a variation. Variations can include:

• the duration of the contract

• changes to the employer’s details, such as legal or trading name

• changes to the apprentice or trainee’s details

• switching from full-time to part-time or vice versa

• changes to the vocation or qualification being undertaken

• early completion and other adjustments.

Read more about varying a training contract and how to apply.